Describe the effects of the 2004 boxing day Tsunami and the role of social, cultural and economic factors in influencing the impact and response to the hazard

Question 1

1. Effects (1)

Answer 1

• Death toll = 227,898
• Injury toll = 125,000
• Number of displaced = 1.74 million
• Number of people needing emergency aid = 5 million

Question 2

1. Effects (2)

Answer 2

• huge property damage = $18.5 billion au

- over 141,000 homes destroyed

Question 3

1. Effects (3)

Answer 3

• Crops + farmland destroyed by saltwater
• Forests along coast destroyed
• Coral reefs + wetlands destroyed
• 8 million litres of oil escaped coastal plants

Question 4

Impact of the 2004 boxing day disaster?

Answer 4

Impact of 2004 boxing day disaster was huge as people weren’t ready due to the following social, cultural and economic factors:

• Lack of positive cultural values including strength, service to others, etc.
• No education or awareness about geomorphic hazards
• Insufficient economic development and financial backing

Question 5

The response of the 2004 boxing day disaster

Answer 5

• Little to nothing was done in preparation for tsunami’s arrival.
  > Chaos ensued in coastal communities after tsunami struck due to a sudden collapse in society.
  > International Humanitarian aid (UNICEF) went to work immediately to provide humanitarian aid.
• In the longer run, the disaster raised awareness about tsunami’s, prompting governments to implement various safety measures and protocols.