Key Tsnuami Case Studies Flashcards
Example of a tsunami in a developed country
Tohoku, Japan - 2011
Social impacts of Tohoku tsunami (5)
1) 20,000 dead
2) 150,000 displaced
3) 300,000 buildings destroyed
4) 200,000 still living in temporary accommodation 4 years after
5) Over 4 million without electricity
Economic impacts of Tohoku disaster (3)
1) $300 billion damages -> the most expensive disaster in history
2) Infrastructure on coastline severely damaged -> airports and ports closed
3) Global price of gas rose
Environmental impacts of Tohoku disaster (2)
1) Fukushima nuclear power plant released dangerous levels of radiation
2) Liquefaction affected reclaimed land in Tokyo
Example of a tsunami in an emerging country
Talcahuano, Chile - 2010
Social impacts of Talcahuano disaster (5)
1) 120 dead (majority tourists)
2) 200,000 homes destroyed
3) 5,000 schools destroyed
4) Water and electricity supplies cut off
5) Landslides cut off remote communities
Economic impacts of Talcahuano tsunami (5)
1) $30 billion damages
2) Fishing and tourism industries saw sharp decline
3) 53 ports destroyed
4) Santiago airport damaged
5) Looting broke out in the city due to food and fuel shortages
Environmental impacts of Talcahuano tsunami (2)
1) Sewage contamination of freshwater supplies
2) Wetland ecosystem damage due to debris from collapsed infrastructure
Example of a tsunami in a developing country
Banda Aceh, Indonesia - 2004
Social impacts of Banda Aceh tsunami (3)
1) 230,000 dead
2) 1.5 million homeless around Indian Ocean coastline
3) Communication lines cut off
Economic impacts of Banda Aceh disaster (5)
1) $15 billion damages
2) Fishing villages destroyed -> impact on food supply
3) Crops washed away
4) Huge impact on tourism -> thousands of job losses
5) Roads and railways destroyed
Environmental impacts of Banda Aceh disaster (3)
1) Vulnerable coral reefs destroyed
2) Saltwater encroachment of freshwater supplies
3) Some smaller islands were completely destroyed
