3.3.3 Tsunamis - Case Study

Question 1

Case study for Tsunamis

Answer 1

Boxing Day Tsunami

Question 2

When was the boxing day tsunami?

Answer 2

26th December 2004

Question 3

Magnitude of the earthquake which triggered the boxing day tsunami

Answer 3

Between 9 and 9.3 - the second biggest in history.

Question 4

Deaths from the boxing day tsunami

Answer 4

250,000

Question 5

Primary impacts of the boxing day tsunami

Answer 5

• Over 250,000 people died – thousands of bodies have never been recovered.
• Vegetation and top soil were removed up to 800m inland.
• Infrastructure was destroyed. E.g. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands were cut off, as jetties were washed away.
• Coastal settlements were devastated. E.g. The City of Banda Aceh in Sumatra was obliterated.

Question 6

Secondary impacts of the boxing day tsunami

Answer 6

• Widespread homelessness | 500,000 people were forced into refugee camps in the worst hit region of Aceh Province, Indonesia.
• Local economies were devastated.
• Water supplies and soils were contaminated by salt water.
• The gap between rich and poor increased.

Question 7

Immediate responses to the boxing day tsunami

Answer 7

• Massive international relief efforts were established that involved more than 160 aid organisations and UN agencies.
• Foreign military troops provided assistance. E.g. Australian air force improved air traffic control at Banda Aceh airport, Indonesia.

Question 8

Long-term responses to the boxing day tsunami

Answer 8

• Large-scale programmes of reconstruction were implemented, but there were still many thousands left in tents one year on.
• Political barriers slowed aid distribution. For example, in Sri Lanka aid was delayed to areas held by rebel Tamil Tigers.
• Existing government prejudices were highlighted. For example, in India, the Dalits, an underclass, were ignored by the government.
• Tourist resorts were quickly rebuilt, such as Phuket, Thailand. But elsewhere some native coastal communities were forced out by new developments, such as Andhra Pradesh, India.
• A United Nations group set up a tsunami warning system for the Indian Ocean. However, as individual governments are responsible for sending out their own alerts there are huge contrasts in their possible effectiveness. For example, there are sirens on tourist beaches in Thailand, yet isolated and poor rural communities receive their warnings by radio.
• Education on tsunami awareness began in schools.
• Practice drills and evacuation plans were established.
• Coastal zones were hazard-mapped to identify areas most at risk.