Liquefaction in Palu: The Cause of Massive Mudflows

The 7.5 Mw tectonic earthquake that hit Palu City on 28 September 2018 was followed by tsunami and liquefaction that triggered massive mudflows in Balaroa, Petobo, and Jono Oge areas. Extensive damages to infrastructures occurred as the result of these earthquake-triggered disasters. This study explores the causing factors of the massive mudflow in Balaroa, Petobo, and Jono Oge areas as it is a quite rare phenomenon. This study focuses on the causing factors of liquefaction such as the condition of soil lithology, depth of water table, distance to the fo1cal mechanism, and the thickness of soft sediment.