Tsunami Case Study - Boxing Day 2004

Question 1

What type of plate margin caused the earthquake?

Answer 1

Destructive

Question 2

When did the tsunami occur?

Answer 2

26th December 2004

Question 3

Where was the epicentre of the earthquake?

Answer 3

Off the west coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra

Question 4

What was the magnitude of the earthquake?

Answer 4

9.1

Question 5

What events triggered the water displacement?

Answer 5

The oceanic plate being subducted cracked and moved very quickly, causing the column of water to be displaced.

Question 6

How high were the tsunami waves caused?

Answer 6

30m

Question 7

Name some of the countries affected by the tsunami:

Answer 7

• Indonesia
• Thailand
• India
• Sri Lanka
• Australia

Question 8

Why were the effects of the tsunami so bad?

Answer 8

There was no early warning system

Question 9

How many people were killed?

Answer 9

230,000

Question 10

How many people were left homeless?

Answer 10

1.7 million

Question 11

What happened to many towns and villages?

Answer 11

They were completely destroyed by the water

Question 12

What happened tot he infrastructure of many countries?

Answer 12

Roads, water pipes and electricity lines were severely damaged

Question 13

How many people needed food, water and emergency medical supplies?

Answer 13

5-6 million

Question 14

What economic impacts did the tsunami have?

Answer 14

• Millions of fisherman lost their livelihoods
• Tourism was severely impacted
• People were afraid to return to go back to the area

Question 15

What environmental impacts did the tsunami have?

Answer 15

• Salt from the seawater meant that many plants died, and still cant grow
• Mangroves, coral reefs, forests and sand dunes were all destroyed
• Large areas of farmland were flooded

Question 16

What economic aid was given to the affected countries?

Answer 16

100s of millions of pounds were pledged by foreign governments, charities and businesses to give survivors access to food, clean water and shelter

Question 17

What other forms of international aid were given?

Answer 17

Countries sent ships, planes, soldiers and teams of specialists to help rescue people, distribute food and water and to begin clearing up

Question 18

What prediction plans have been put in place since the tsunami?

Answer 18

A warning system has been put in place in the Indian Ocean

Question 19

What preparation plans have been put in place since the tsunami?

Answer 19

Disaster management plans have been put in place in some countries. Volunteers have been trained so the local people know what to do if a tsunami were to happen again.

Question 20

What long term responses happened as a result of the tsunami?

Answer 20

• Billions of pounds have been pledged to help rebuild the infrastructures of the affected countries
• As well as money, programmes have been set up to rebuild houses and help people get back to work