MAPPING AND MODELLING OF RIP CURRENT IN THE BEACH TOURISM AREA OF POPOH BAY, TULUNGAGUNG, EAST JAVA

Abstract

The beach is an area that is commonly used by tourists for recreation. However, cases of accident in the beach area are still very high which is one of the cause factor is rip current. Based on data from the Besole Village Administration Office, Besuki, Tulungagung, East Java, there were 23 cases that swept away by rip current in Popoh Bay from 2002 to 2012. Therefore, observation and prediction of rip current potential in Popoh Bay are needed. This study aims to predict the location of rip current potential; to know the characteristics and types of rip current; and to know the effect of oceanographic parameters to the rip current potential in the Popoh Bay tourism area. The data used are wind data, waves, bathymetry, tides, beach slope, aerial photographs and Digital Globe satellite imagery. The study was held from 19 December 2019 to 14 February 2020 which consisted of a location survey; bathymetry, tides and aerial photographs data collection in the field; primary and secondary data processing. Rip current potential is identified visually through Digital Globe satellite imagery, aerial photos and modeling. The results showed that there were several locations indicating the rip current potential if it identified based on the characteristics. In addition, the location and time of occurrence as well as the characteristics of rip current in Popoh Bay may vary depending on the factors that affect it such as seasonal changes, wave height, beach slope, bathymetry, beach cusps, beach shape, and beach type.

Keywords: Aerial photo, Digital Globe, modelling, RIP current identification.