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         Geoplanning 
  Vol 5, No. 1, 2018, 101-114                                                                                                                                                          Journal of Geomatics and Planning 

                                                                                                 E-ISSN: 2355-6544 
http://ejournal.undip.ac.id/index.php/geoplanning 

                doi: 10.14710/geoplanning.5.1.101-114 

INSIGHT ANALYSIS ON DYKE PROTECTION AGAINST LAND SUBSIDENCE 
AND THE SEA LEVEL RISE AROUND NORTHERN COAST OF JAVA 
(PANTURA) INDONESIA 

H. Andreasa            , H. Z. Abidina            , D. A. Sarsito a           , D. Pradipraa  

a Geodesy Research Group, Bandung Institute of Technology, Indonesia 

 

Abstract: Land subsidence and the sea level rise is newly well-known phenomenon around 

northern coast of Java Indonesia (PANTURA). The occurrence of land subsidence at least 
recognizes at the first of the city or urban area development, while the sea level rise was 
recognized from several last decades corresponds to the global warming. Following the both 
phenomena, tidal inundation (in Javanese they call it “Rob”) is now becoming another newly 
well-known phenomenon along PANTURA. In the recent years the tidal inundation comes not 
only at a high tide but even at the regular tide in some area. Sea level rise and the land 
subsidence are considered as the causes deriving the occurrence of tidal inundation. Dykes have 
been built against tidal inundation around PANTURA (e.g. in Jakarta, Blanakan, Pekalongan, 
Semarang, and Demak). Nevertheless, since the land subsidence and the sea level rise are 
believed to be continuing through times, insight analysis on these dyke’s “protector” is 
necessary. How long the dyke would effectively protect the land area would be highlight in this 
paper. 

 

 Copyright © 2018 GJGP-UNDIP  

This open access article is distributed under a  

Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY-NC-SA) 4.0 International license. 

How to cite (APA 6th style): Andreas, H. et al. (2018). Insight analysis on dyke protection against land subsidence and the sea level rise around 

Northern Coast of Java (PANTURA) Indonesia. Geoplanning: Journal of Geomatics and Planning, 5(1), 101-114. doi: 10.14710/geoplanning. 

5(1), 101-114 

1. INTRODUCTION 

Northern coast of Java Indonesia is famous with the local name called PANTURA. It started from Merak 
in northern part of west of Java province crossed to about 1000-kilometer length to Banyuwangi in East 
Java Province (Figure 1). PANTURA existed along with the Java Sea. Many big cities develop along PANTURA 
such as Jakarta, Cirebon, Pekalongan, Semarang, and Surabaya. Despite of many features that can be found 
in PANTURA, land subsidence, sea level rise, and tidal inundation are there as very interesting features. 
Land subsidence and the sea level rise is newly well-known phenomenon around PANTURA. The occurrence 
of land subsidence at least recognizes at the first of the city or urban area development, while the sea level 
rise was recognized from several last decades corresponds to the global warming. As the consequences of 
land subsidence and the sea level rise phenomena, tidal inundation (in Javanese they call it “Rob”) is 
becoming another newly well-known phenomenon along PANTURA. In the recent years the tidal inundation 
comes not only at a high tide but even at the regular tide in some area.  

Land subsidence by definition is a lowering the ground level from the reference height system such as 
geoids or the sea level. Excessive of Groundwater abstraction in combination with natural compaction of 
sediments and probably tectonic deformation, land setting/reclamation, loading from construction of new 
buildings, oil and gas extraction, underground mining, drainage of peat lands, etc. are considered as 
possible causes of the land subsidence. Meanwhile, the increasing temperature of the earth has been 
brought ice to melt in the north and south Antarctica and made volume of water larger. As the 
consequences the sea level rise exists. The tidal inundation simply explains as the flood coming from the sea 
because the land is lower than the sea level.  The land subsidence is making the low land area along the 
coast become lowering through times than the sea level. Tidal inundation is become a disaster for several 

OPEN ACCESS 

Article Info: 
Received: 06 August 2017 
in revised form: 10 Dec 2017 
Accepted: 30 January 2018 
Available Online:  30 April 2018 
 

Keywords:  
Geodesy, Geography, Geomatics, Civil, 
Urban and Regional Planning 
 

Corresponding Author: 
Heri Andreas 

Geodesy Research Group, Bandung 

Institute of Technology,  Indonesia 

Email: heriandreas49@gmail.com  

  

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places around the coastal area like PANTURA. Many of urban and other areas like farming area, fishpond, 
etc. have been suffered tidal inundation and becoming worse in times. First it was only few centimetres of 
inundation and come only at a high tide, but now it can be more than a half of meter and coming at regular 
tide, and even has comes permanently in certain places. 

Dykes have been built against tidal inundation disaster around PANTURA (e.g. in Jakarta, Blanakan, 
Pekalongan, Semarang, and Demak). Nevertheless, as we will see on the paper, since the land subsidence 
and the sea level rise are believed to be continuing through times, insight analysis on these dyke’s 
“protector” is necessary. How long the dyke would effectively protect the land area would be highlight in 
this paper along with others analysis. 

 
Figure 1. The Map of PANTURA. Red color represents urban area (Source: Deltares) 

2. DATA AND METHODS 

2.1.   Land Subsidence 

For building the dyke along PANTURA we absolutely need to understand beforehand about the land 

subsidence characteristic. It is most probably the dyke will be sinking due to subsidence. In this case, 

knowing the rate of the subsidence and the longevity of the subsidence are important parameters for dyke 

design, etc.  As for PANTURA, the land subsidence is clearly taking places in Jakarta, Pondok Bali Blanakan, 

Cirebon, Pekalongan, Semarang, Demak and Surabaya (Figure 2). The evidence for subsidence was based on 

repeated levelling measurements, GPS surveys, InSAR measurements, extensometer, etc.  

Levelling is a very conventional of geodetic technique measuring height from reference point connected 

to the Mean Sea Level (MSL). Repeated measurement of levelling in the same point in some are may 

revealed land subsidence information. GPS (Global Positioning System) is a passive, all-weather satellite-

based navigation and positioning system, which is designed to provide precise three dimensional positions 

and velocity, as well as time information on a continuous worldwide basis (Hofmann-Wellenhof et al., 2008; 

Abidin et al., 2008). InSAR is satellite base imagery that can provide better understanding in spatial variation 

of land subsidence, which become the weakness of GPS method. Some researchers have been conducted to 

perform land subsidence monitoring by InSAR, such as (Chaussard et al., 2013; Koudogbo et al., 2012; 

Kuehn et al., 2009), etc.  

The occurrence of land subsidence in Jakarta was recognized at least in the early the development of the 

city.  According to some publications (e.g. H. Abidin et al., 2010; H Z Abidin, 2005; H Z Abidin et al., 2004; 

Hasanuddin Z Abidin et al., 2008; Hasanuddin Z Abidin et al., 2011; Chaussard et al., 2013; Koudogbo et al., 

2012; D Murdohardono & Sudarsono, 1998; Dodid Murdohardono & Tirtomihardjo, 1993; Ng et al., 2012; 

Rajiyowiryono, 1999) the yearly value of Jakarta’s subsidence generally ranging from 1 to 10 centimeter 

per-year and may reach 20-26 centimeter in certain place, especially in northern part of Jakarta for the 

recent years.  Magnitude of subsidence of 4 meter and even more has been recognizing around Pluit area 

north of Jakarta. Ground water abstraction is one very dominant factor causing land subsidence in Jakarta. 

P A N T U R A 

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Pondok Bali Blanakan area is not a city but mostly farming and fishpond area while Pekalongan is a 

development of urban area.  It is quite surprising that the land subsidence is happening in these areas with 

significant rate per year (1-10 centimeters).  Tidal inundation is regularly flooded the areas. As being 

investigated, preliminary conclusion said that land subsidence in Pondok Bali Blanakan area is due to 

exploitation of oil and gas. In the area there are more than fifteen oil and gas platform facilities which are 

actively exploiting oil and gas in the area. Meanwhile Pekalongan is a center of Batik industry. The need of 

huge amount of water for washing Batik has predicted influence the land subsidence in the area.  

Preliminary result concludes that many Batik industry is taking groundwater in deep aquifer and as the 

consequences 1-10 centimeters of land subsidence per year existed in the area.  

Land subsidence is not a new phenomenon for Semarang. Some report said the subsidence in Semarang 

probably is occurring for more than 100 years. The impact of land subsidence in Semarang can be seen in 

several forms, such as the wider expansion of (coastal) flooding areas, cracking of buildings and 

infrastructure, and increased inland sea water intrusion. It also badly influences the quality and amenity of 

the living environment and life (e.g. health and sanitation condition) in the affected areas. In the case of 

Semarang, comprehensive information on the characteristics of land subsidence is applicable to several 

important planning and mitigation efforts, such as effective control of coastal flood and seawater intrusion, 

spatial-based groundwater extraction regulation, environmental conservation, design and construction of 

infrastructure, and spatial development planning. According to some publications (Chaussard et al., 2013; 

Kuehn et al., 2009; Lubis et al., 2011; Marfai & King, 2007; D Murdohardono et al., 2009; Sutanta et al., 

2005) the yearly value of Semarang’s subsidence generally ranging from 1 to 17 centimeter per-year. 

 

 

Figure 2. Map of subsidence along PANTURA (modified from Chaussard et al., 2013, Abidin et.al, 2008; 

2010; 2011) 

Table 1 shows average rate of land subsidence in Jakarta, Pondok Bali Blanakan, Pekalongan, Semarang, 
Demak, Surabaya area, and other places around PANTURA.  High rate of subsidence is taking places in 
Jakarta and Semarang. Hugh development on the city, especially in Jakarta has created such rate. If the rate 
is continuing, in combining with the sea level rise, they will derive tidal inundation in larger area. That is a 
very potential disaster to PANTURA. 

 

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Table 1. Average rate of land subsidence in Jakarta, Pondok Bali Blanakan, Pekalongan, Semarang, Demak, 
Surabaya, and other places around PANTURA 

No Area Average rate of subsidence (meter/year) 

1. Jakarta 0.010 – 0.150 

2. Bekasi Cikarang 0.010 – 0.100 

3. Pondok Bali Blanakan 0.010 – 0.100 

4. Cirebon 0.005 – 0.020 

5. Pekalongan 0.010 – 0.100 

6. Semarang & Demak 0.010 – 0.150 

7. Surabaya 0.010 – 0.030 

2.2.  Sea Level Rise 

The increasing temperature of the earth has been brought ice to melt in the north and south Antarctica 

and made volume of water larger (Figure 3). As the consequences the sea level rise exists. Figure 4 show 

graph of sea level rise that is happening in the ocean worldwide from recorded of tide gauges (1970-2005) 

and Satellite Altimetry data (1992-2010) reported by IPCC. Generally the sea level rise is ranging in order 

millimetre to few centimetres per year. Only few places in the world are experiencing in larger magnitude, 

but it is not more than a few decimetres per year. This sea level rise even in the small magnitude in theory 

can also influence the tidal inundation respectively.  The sea in Indonesia especially around northern part of 

Java is experiencing sea level rise in order of few millimetres per year (Nurmaulia et al., 2010). 

Satellite altimetry is satellite base geodetic technique that has good capability in sensing sea level rise 

from the satellite.  By using electromagnetic pulse we can measure the range from sea surface (footprint) to 

the satellite with accuracy in order of few centimetres. The satellite is equipped with the GPS (Global 

Positioning System) that can provide height of either satellite or sea surface above ellipsoid reference 

system. 

In the future the total magnitude of sea level rise may reach meters level.  In this case, for low land 

coastal area it would be prone to inundation. Dyke is one solution to protect land from inundation. Another 

possibility is to higher the land through reclamation. As for the case of combination of land subsidence and 

the sea level rise, we won’t wait another longer to establish the dyke since the inundation comes earlier. As 

explained previously what happens in PANTURA is combination of them. 

 

 

   

Figure 3. Courtesy of Google satellite image taken in 1984 and 2011 around Antarctica showing decreasing 
in ice volume 

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Figure 4. Recorded of tide gauges (1970-2005) and Satellite Altimetry data (1992-2010) indicating sea level 

rise (in centimeter scale) as the consequences of global clime change (Modified from IPCC graph) 
 

2.3.  Tidal Inundation 

Time series of high-resolution satellite image from all available google data archives (year 2000- recent 
years) together with any others similar available sources have been used to see tidal inundation. Generally, 
the pixels resolution for most of the images were below 1 meter. This is good enough to clearly interpret 
the inundation, etc. if the images uncovered by the clouds. By this approach we may identify all of tidal 
inundation areas along PANTURA.  We used the newest until the oldest satellite image available data one 
by one.  From the images, we delineate the old predicted of coast line with new probable coastline (either 
sharp inward of abrasion, far inland of tidal inundation or toward the sea of sedimentation), and then we 
made polygon area to represent the area that at least being inundated, suffering abrasion or, expanded due 
to sedimentation (see example in Figure 5).  

As the cased of tidal inundation that would be the focus in this research, to delineate the exact line we 
have limitation on the image colors and tones interpretation since in the dense housing area or images 
timing being taken in the low tide, and therefore tones or colors of inundation was unclear. In order to 
make sure the true existence of tidal inundation area, in several place we done in-situ measurements. 
During the past years we conducted expedition to visit coastal area of northern Java.  Place that we visited 
included Tanggerang, Jakarta, Bekasi, Pondok Bali, Blanakan, Pekalongan, Kendal, Semarang, Demak, Gresik, 
and Surabaya.  

From all high resolution satellite image data that we have been collected, processed, and analyzed, we 
can see the tidal inundation, sedimentation, and also abrasion are taking place at least in Tanggerang, 
Jakarta, Bekasi, Pondok Bali, Blanakan, Indramayu, Cirebon, Brebes, Tegal, Pemalang, Pekalongan, Batang, 
Kendal, Semarang, Demak, Gresik, Surabaya, and Sidoarjo. If we add the results from the site visit and 
internet surfing, we would find many others area being inundated especially the temporary one. Figure 5 
shows several figures of tidal inundation in most locations along northern coast of Java as result of above 
works. Since mentioned places are suffering tidal inundation, planning and execution in development dyke 
should be exist in these areas. How severe the inundation will influence how well the dyke should be design 
and establish. 

 
2.4. Dyke Protection 

Dyke to protect land from tidal inundation, sea level rise and perhaps the subsidence has been 
establishing in many part of PANTURA (Figure 6 and Figure 7). In Jakarta we can find dyke along Kamal 
Muara, Pantai Indah Kapuk, Muara Angke, Muara Karang, Pantai Mutiara, Muara Baru, Ancol, Tanjung 
Priok, and Maruda. The heights can be 1 up to 2 meters. Meanwhile, In Pondok Bali Blanakan we can find 
almost 1.5-meter dyke established to protect some village in the area. Few temporary dykes can be found 
along coastal area of Pekalongan. In Semarang and Demak area we can find dyke along Pantai Marina, 
Tanjung Mas, Tambak Loro, Kaligawe, Sayung, and Worosari. Many small dykes may be also found in others 

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place around PANTURA from Tanggerang, Cirebon, Tegal, and up to Surabaya area. Occasionally the dyke 
can be seen created using the sand bag. 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

Figure 5. Tidal inundation, abrasion and sedimentation in most locations of PANTURA from all high-
resolution satellite images data and others supported data being collected and analized 

For sometimes, these dykes are quite effective on protecting the land from tidal inundation, sea level 
rise, and perhaps the subsidence. There was a heavy tidal inundation in Jakarta back at 2007 where access 
to the airport was closed for one day leaving flight schedule in chaos. Now it seems like a history. In 2008 
and 2009 almost half of north Semarang was experiencing severe tidal inundation. The water has reached 
even more than 2 kilometer inward the coastline. Now it seems dry. Nevertheless, on chapter result and 
discussion we will understand the real situation after done insight analysis to the dyke. The hint is that the 
dyke has longevity and it is not a final solution against the land subsidence and the sea level rise. 

    

Figure 6. Picture on the left shows temporally dyke around Pluit area Jakarta using sand bag just after heavy 
tidal inundation in 2007, while on the right shows one-meter new dyke establish in 2008 

 

 

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Figure 7. Dyke to protect land from tidal inundation, sea level rise and perhaps the subsidence has been 
establishing in many parts of PANTURA 

Dyke program in bigger scale has been initiated in Jakarta. First initiated by the Jakarta Coastal Defense 
Study (JCDS), the scenario of “Giant Sea Wall” is establishing along coastal of Jakarta city.  The city would be 
closed from the sea by more than six-meter-high of the giant wall located few kilometers from the sea 
shore. This giant wall will be equipped by pumping station and inner lake as retention area. JCDS was 
transformed into NCICD (National Capital Integrated Coastal Development). Formed by The Central 
Government this NCICD will be executing the Giant Sea Wall Project. A shape of “Great Garuda” on the 
giant livable dyke will be created along coastal area of Jakarta (Figure 8).  Around 600 trillion rupiah will be 
spent through scheme Public Private Partnership (PPP). Infrastructures such as highway, railway including 
airport will be develop on the dyke. Central of business and housing will be part of this livable dyke as well. 
Recently the plan is still under tight discussion. 

Responding the problem of tidal inundation on the north east area of Semarang and Demak in 2016 
where national road access connecting Semarang Demak and to the eastern PANTURA has been closed few 
times and made such a traffic jam, another dyke program in the bigger scale has been initiated. Soon, there 
will be TANGGUL LAUT DAN TRASE JALAN TOL in between Semarang and Demak (Figure 9). It means that 
the central government will built the high way which is act also as the “Giant Sea Wall” to protect the area 
from tidal inundation, sea level rise and perhaps the subsidence. 

 

 

Figure 8. The scenario of “Giant Sea Wall” is establishing along coastal of Jakarta city as respond to the tidal 
inundation, sea level rise, and land subsidence (image courtesy of JCDS) 

Pondok Bali Blanakan Semarang Demak 

Pekalongan Tanggerang 

Jakarta 

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Figure 9. The scenario TANGGUL LAUT DAN TRASE JALAN TOL in between Semarang and Demak as respond 
to the tidal inundation, sea level rise, and land subsidence 

 

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 

Excessive of Groundwater abstraction in combination with natural compaction of sediments and 
probably tectonic deformation, land setting/reclamation, loading from construction of new buildings, oil 
and gas extraction, underground mining, drainage of peat lands, etc. are believed to derive land subsidence. 
Meanwhile the increasing temperature of the earth has been brought ice to melt in the north and south 
Antarctica and made volume of water larger and further on made the sea level rising. Both subsidence and 
the sea level rise when is occurring around coastal area, after some time can derive tidal inundation. This 
tidal inundation may come not only at a high tide but even at the regular tide in some area. For some 
reason in fact the inundation comes permanently.   

From all high resolution satellite image data that we have been collected, processed, and analized for 
PANTURA, we can see the tidal inundation and also sedimentation, abrasion are taking place in Tanggerang, 
Jakarta, Bekasi, Pondok Bali, Blanakan, Indramayu, Cirebon, Brebes, Tegal, Pemalang, Pekalongan, Batang, 
Kendal, Semarang, Demak, Gresik, Surabaya, and Sidoarjo. This tidal inundation indeed has become a 
disaster for some places in PANTURA. One adaptation and mitigation are to build the dyke. In Jakarta we 
can find dyke to the heights of about 1 up to 2 meters. Meanwhile, In Pondok Bali Blanakan we can find 
almost 1.5-meter dyke established to protect some village in the area. Few temporary dykes can be found 
along coastal area of Pekalongan. In Semarang and Demak area we can find 1- or 1.5-meter dyke along the 
coast. Many small dykes may be also found in others place around PANTURA from Tanggerang, Cirebon, 
Tegal, and up to Surabaya area. Occasionally the dyke can be seen created using the sand bag. 

Dykes are supposed to be protecting the land permanently or in a very long period of time from tidal 
inundation, sea level rise, and perhaps the subsidence, but at the same time they are sinking quite fast in 
some location and failed to protect. Figure 10 shows picture of 1 meter of dyke which was failed to protect 
Pluit north of Jakarta from tidal inundation in 2007, and after raised 1 meter more in 2008, it is slowly 
sinking and about to failed again to protect the area after 2013. For the recent years, indeed, it has been 
elevated again for more than 1 meter. Figure 11 shows illustration where dyke has been increased two 
times from the first development, each for one-meter height, around Luar Batang north of Jakarta. Before 
being increased the dyke failed to halt the tidal inundation comes to the area. 

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Figure 10. Illustration of dyke “sinking” in Pluit area north of Jakarta. In 2007, around 1 meter of dyke failed 
to protect the land, while 2008 another 1-meter elevated dyke would soon after 2013 would probably fail 

again 

  

Figure 11. Illustration where dyke has been increased two times from the first development, each for one-
meter height, around Luar Batang North of Jakarta 

Figure 12 shows dykes that failed to protect the land from tidal inundation around north and the north 
east of Semarang area. As explain earlier problem of tidal inundation on the north east area of Semarang 
and Demak area quite severe. Almost a half of northern Semarang was experiencing tidal inundation in 
2008 and 2009. In 2016 the tidal inundation has made national road access connecting Semarang Demak 
and to the eastern PANTURA has been closed few times and created such a traffic jam. Everybody agree 
that they were a disaster.  Some adaptation and mitigation are necessary for avoid more disaster. Many 
dykes are created around Semarang, but fact in Figure 12 shows the dyke is sinking and at the certain 
moment failed to protect the land from tidal inundation. 

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As mentioned above, responding the problem of tidal inundation on the north east area of Semarang 
and Demak in 2016 where national road access connecting Semarang Demak and to the eastern PANTURA 
has been closed few times and made such a traffic jam, another dyke program in the bigger scale has been 
initiated. Soon, there will be TANGGUL LAUT DAN TRASE JALAN TOL in between Semarang and Demak. It 
means that the central government will built the high way which is act also as the “Giant Sea Wall” to 
protect the area from tidal inundation, sea level rise and perhaps the subsidence. We have a question 
whether that is a final solution or not? It is very well explained that as long as the land subsidence is 
continuing; therefore, the dyke is also sinking.  If we built 1-meter dyke and we have 10 centimeter per year 
the rate of subsidence it will make the dyke can protect the land for only 10 years. 

     

Figure 12. Illustration how is dykes has failed to protect the land from the tidal inundation around northern 
and the northern east of Semarang area 

Figure 13 shows mangrove and dyke that supposed to protect the land from tidal inundation in Pondok 
Bali Blanakan area, nevertheless through times the area has suffering again tidal inundation. It is interesting 
to note that some people are still mixing up the tidal inundation phenomenon with the abrasion, and the 
land subsidence; they though mangrove can protect the land from the ‘phenomenon’ but turnout it cannot. 
Unfortunately, many places along PANTURA have programs of buildup mangrove area against tidal 
inundation induced by the land subsidence and the sea level rise.  This approaches absolutely need to re-
evaluated. 

    

Figure 13. Mangrove and dyke that supposed to protect the land from tidal inundation in Pondok Bali 
Blanakan area, nevertheless through times the area has suffering again tidal inundation 

Surprisingly the land subsidence in PANTURA is continuing with the linier trend (Figure 14). The rates 
vary mostly between 1 -15 centimeters per year. The yearly value of Jakarta’s subsidence generally ranging 
from 1 to10 centimeter per-year and may reach 20-26 centimeter in certain place, especially in northern 
part of Jakarta for the recent years. The land subsidence in Pondok Bali Blanakan and Pekalongan are quite 
significant with rate per year for about 1-10 centimeters. The value of Semarang’s subsidence is generally 
ranging from 1 to 17 centimeter per-year. In 5 or 10 year from now we believed the subsidence will remain 
if no serious action done in dealing with the land subsidence.  So, we have to pay attention to the longevity 
of dykes from the subsidence. 

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Figure 14. The linear trend of land subsidence around monitoring point in PANTURA 

In the Table 2 we try to summarize the rate of sinking on dyke in some places around PANTURA (e.g. 

Pantai Mutiara Jakarta, Muara Baru Jakarta, Ancol Jakarta, Tanjung Mas Semarang, Tambak Loro Semarang, 

and Kaligawe Semarang).  Along with the rate we try to calculate magnitude after 10 and 20 years. In this 

case we can have an idea when we can increase the dyke. Nevertheless, keep increasing the dyke is not 

smart solution after certain times. It can add a risk of dyke failure. Figure 15 shows illustration on how the 

risk is increasing when we increase the dyke. The higher the dyke the more potential to collapse since the 

stress is increasing from the sea volume pressure. In other hand the higher dykes will higher the risk of 

flooding in inner area since the water cannot easily pumped to the sea.  We need very high capacity which 

is not easy to build and it will be so expensive. 

Table 2. Rate and magnitude of dyke sinking in some places around PANTURA 

No Area 
 

Rate Sinking 

(meter/years) 

Magnitude after 10 year  

(meter) 

Magnitude after 20 year  

(meter) 

1. Pantai Mutiara Jakarta  0.10 1.00 2.00 

2. Muara Baru Jakarta  0.12 1.20 2.40 

3. Ancol Jakarta  0.05 0.50 1.00 

4. Tanjung Mas Semarang  0.08 0.80 1.60 

5. Tambak Loro Semarang  0.10 1.00 2.00 

6. Kaligawe Semarang  0.10 1.00 2.00 

      

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Figure 15. Illustration on how the risk is increasing when we increase the dyke 
 

4. CONCLUSION 

Dykes have been built against tidal inundation around PANTURA (e.g. in Jakarta, Blanakan, Pekalongan, 
Semarang, and Demak). Nevertheless, since the land subsidence and the sea level rise are believed to be 
continuing through times, the dyke is also subsiding through times. Therefore, dyke program concluded not 
to be a final solution. If we take a closer look, we would realize that the protection is not answering directly 
to the sources of subsidence and the sea level rise.  If the subsidence and the sea level rise is continuing 
with the same rate or even accelerating, as the consequences the dyke is also subsiding and sinking.  
Examples above shows prove dyke is subsiding and sinking (e.g. in Jakarta and Semarang).  In year 2007 the 
sea water overtopping the old dyke that was develops in the early 2000. In order to avoid another 
overtopping, one-meter height of new dyke develops above the old dyke.  What happen few years later 
seem the sea is “rising” and about to overtopping again sometimes in the near future.  That is proves the 
dyke is subsiding and sinking.  If we even built the Giant Sea Wall “Great Garuda”  or “Great High Way Sea 
Wall” they won’t guaranty that the sea wall is not subsiding and sinking if the area is continuing to suffer 
land subsidence and the sea level rise.  

So, along with counter measure or protection of sea wall project or dyke program, etc. we need to 
understand also how to stop or at least reduce the subsidence, and forget about the mangrove and the sea 
level rise for this purpose.  First thing to do is how to carefully found the causes of the subsidence. As being 
explained earlier, the Land subsidence can be caused by several factors, divided into tectonic, geo-
technique, and geo-hydrology factor.  Tectonic given the value to subsidence in a way of plate interaction 
and fault activities; Geo-technique play role to subsidence from load of buildings and constructions, natural 
consolidation of alluvium soil, soil setting/reclamation, etc.; Meanwhile the geo-hydrology given 
consequences to subsidence from excessive groundwater extraction. Geo-technique and geo-hydrology 
strongly correlate each other through effective stresses and compaction processes, and both influenced 
much by soil properties. Excluding the tectonic and natural consolidation factors, all others define as 
anthropogenic causes. 

 

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5. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

Many thanks and appreciation give to the students who helped the investigation in the field and 
especially to the local people for kindly sharing the information and experience relating tidal inundation 
since indeed most of them are victims now from this disaster. 

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