Tsunami - Indian Ocean (Boxing Day) 2004 Flashcards
When did it happen?
26th December 2004 (Boxing Day)
What caused it?
Indo-Australian plate was being subducted under the Eurasian plate, beneath the Indian Ocean. Friction was released suddenly, causing the Eurasian plate to slip and create an uplift in the water column.
How big was the highest wave?
25m.
How many deaths?
Over 220,000 people lost their lives.
How many were injured?
650,000 seriously injured.
How many people were made homeless?
Approximately 2 million.
Any other notable effects?
1,500 settlements are believed to have been wiped out completely.
Public buildings such as hospitals were also wiped out.
Mangrove swamps - an important breeding ground for fish - were destroyed, along with the fishermen’s boats.
Tourism industry collapsed.
Why were bodies buried in mass graves?
To stop the spread of disease.
Why did people’s injuries get worse?
Rescue services and emergency teams were overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster and didn’t have the facilities as they had been destroyed. People lay untreated for days.
How did the international community respond?
Freshwater, purification tablets, food and tents were all donated as aid. Medical teams arrived from many countries. In the UK, public donations reached £372 million, with the government promising a further £75 million.
How was this money spent?
Rebuilding homes, facilities and an early warning system (completed 2006).
What about the mangroves?
These have been restored, and the fishing boats rebuilt, to allow one of the main industries in Indonesia to recover. In turn this will help locals as the economy will begin to grow again.
