Sumatra coastal cave records stunning tsunami history

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A cave on the northwestern coast of Sumatra holds a remarkable record of big tsunamis in the Indian Ocean.

 

The limestone opening, close to Banda Aceh, retains the sandy deposits washed ashore by huge, earthquake-induced waves over thousands of years.

 

Scientists are using the site to help determine the frequency of catastrophes like the event of 26 December 2004.

 

This is being done by dating the cave's tsunami-borne sediments, which are easy to see between layers of bat droppings.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25269698