Case study-Indian Ocean-2004-Tsunami Flashcards
Tsunami
When was the Tsunami and why did it occur?
26th December 2004
triggered by a massive underwater earthquake
What was the magnitude?
9.1-9.3
What was the number of deaths?
~230,000-280,000
What were some of the social impacts?
Homes and schools were destroyed which forced people to migrate to urban areas
What were some of the economic impacts?
Economic losses were >$15 billion
tourism, fisheries and agriculture were all severely affected
What were some of the environmental impacts?
Costal ecosystems were damaged
Uplift forced coral reefs to come to the surface
What were the political impacts?
International response led to an increase in cooperation in disaster management
What was the plate boundary and plates?
Indian and Eurasian plate at a subduction zone
How tall did the tsunami reach?
30 meters
Is the Indian Ocean region considered vulnerable and risky? Why?
Yes, it is highly vulnerable due to high population density along coastlines, limited disaster preparedness, and the risk of future tsunamis
What are the risk factors associated with tsunamis in the Indian Ocean?
Proximity to tectonic plate boundaries
High coastal population density
Inadequate early warning systems
Poverty and limited infrastructure
How many countries were affected?
Across 14 countries
