Indonesian Tsunami

Question 1

Cause

Answer 1

Sunda trench = destructive subduction

Indo-Australian subduction under Eurasian

15-20m slip

Epicentre 160km offshore in Indian Ocean

SHALLOW FOCUS - 30km below sea level

Sumatra = 20m high waves, 800m inland

Question 2

Impacts

Answer 2

More than 13 countries affected - but global due to tourists

186,983 dead
- 9000 foreign tourists

More than 60% fishing fleet/industrial infrastructure in Sri Lankas coastal regions destroyed

Contamination to drinking water

Tourism - key source of foreign currency earnings

Question 3

Differential impacts caused by…

Answer 3

(Thailand)
(1) orientation in relation to oncoming wave
•Thailand resorts protected by headlands less affected

(2) offshore gradient
•steep Surin beach = barrier
• gentle e.g. Kamala

(3) inland topography
(4) refraction + reflection

Question 4

Management and responses

Answer 4

No Indian Ocean warning system at that time - LEDC

Scale/topography/broken communication links/cooperation across national borders = significant problems
•sanitation facilities/fresh drinking water

Mass burning of bodies

US $7 billion promised
•March 2005 $4 not paid + Sri Lanka none

Donations from public e.g. British public $330 million

Question 5

Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System

Answer 5

Active June 2006 with UNESCO leading role with funding

25 seismographic stations&raquo_space; 26 national tsunami into centres

3 deep ocean sensors

1. Seabed monitors
2. Surface buoys
3. Satellites receives and relays to ground stations

18th July 2006 not ready = 530 died from earthquake

Question 6

Background

Answer 6

Great Sumatran-Andaman earthquake 26th Dec 2004

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