Indonesian Navy And Indonesian Researchers Find 29 Underwater Mountains In NTT

Archives - Commander of the Indonesian Navy's Hydro-Oceanography Center (Danpushidrosal) Vice Admiral TNI Nurhidayat. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Navy's Hydro Oceanography Center (Pushidrosal) together with researchers and academics from five universities in Indonesia found that there are about 29 underwater mountains that are still active in Flores waters, East Nusa Tenggara. The Commander of Pushidrosal (Danpushidrosal) Vice Admiral TNI Nurhidayat said the dozens of mountains were found when his party held the 2023 Flores Citra-3 Expedition which lasted for approximately three months in the NTT region. "Not all of the 29 mountains have been further investigated which ones are active and inactive," he said after attending a scientific discussion on the Expeditional Progress of Jala Citra 3-2023 “Flores ” at the Chancellor's Hall of Nusa Cendana University (Undana) Kupang, Tuesday, May 9. He mentioned the researchers involved in the Expedition of Jala Citra 3 – 2023 “Flores”, namely Marine Major (P) Danar JP, as Kadepsur KRI Spica-934 Pushidrosal, Dr. Anindya Wirastriya, from Diponegoro University, Dr. Astyka Pamumpuni from the Bandung Institute of Technology, Ashari Wicaksono, from Trunojoyo Madura University, Dr. Eng. Masita Dwi from the University of Indonesia, as well as Dr. M. Aldila Syariz from the Institute of Technology Ten November Surabaya. Based on the research data conducted, there were no bubbles around these mountains. So which underwater mountain is active and cannot be known yet. However, in the study, a team of researchers who during research using KRI found a coral, the stones found at the top of the mountain had been taken. Rocks and coral samples will be examined at the Bandung Geological Agency to confirm the status of the underwater mountain. The underwater mountain distribution found is also spread across the western part of Flores Island, northern part, southern Flores, and entering on several islands. Several mountains were also found, he said, were close to sea level, so it was necessary to be careful when the ship sailed. However, he said, people need not be afraid or worried about the discovery of the mountain – mountain. “People don't have to be afraid of this mountain – this existing mountain, even though it happened in Japan, the ship broke out because there was a mountain erupting under the sea. So that the ship – the ship was immediately museumed,” said Nurhidayat. Lebih lanjut kata dia Expedisi Jala Citra-3 2023 Flores etape keempat akan kembali digelar dalam waktu dekat dan akan kembali melakukan penelitian di sejumlah lokasi yang sudah ditentukan. Deputy Chancellor of Undana Kupang Jefri Bale appreciated the efforts of the Indonesian Navy in helping the people of NTT, especially fishermen in mapping and research at sea.

"This research activity is expected to be a reference material for the central and provincial governments so that in the future there can be policies that support increasing conditions in the waters, including the culture and behavior of fishing communities and coastal areas in Flores," he added.