2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami

Question 1

What was the magnitude range of the earthquake off the coast of Sumatra?

Answer 1

The earthquake off the coast of Sumatra had a magnitude between 9.0 and 9.3

Question 2

How high were the waves at Banda Aceh, located 15 minutes away from the epicenter?

Answer 2

The waves at Banda Aceh were 17 meters high on impact

Question 3

What was the sea swell experienced in the Maldives due to the earthquake?

Answer 3

The Maldives experienced a 4-meter sea swell

Question 4

What were the social impacts of the earthquake and tsunami?

Answer 4

• 5 million people were affected, 1.7 million were homeless
• 300,000 were killed
• In some areas, up to 70% of the villages were destroyed.

Question 6

What were the environmental impacts of the earthquake and tsunami?

Answer 6

• Ecosystems such as mangroves, coral reefs, forests, and coastal wetlands were damaged
• Most vegetation and topsoil were moved 800 meters inland
• freshwater supplies and agricultural soil were contaminated by saltwater