Indian Ocean Boxing Day Tsunami Flashcards
When did the Indian Ocean Boxing Day Tsunami take place?
December 26, 2004.
The Indian Ocean tsunami occurred at a region which was part of the _______ ____ of ___, a tectonic belt at which 90% of the world’s earthquakes occur.
The Pacific Ring of Fire.
What caused the Indian Ocean Tsunami?
A massive undersea earthquake off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, caused by the subduction of the Indian Plate beneath the Burma Plate.
How intense was the earthquake that triggered the Indian Ocean tsunami?
It was a 9.3 on the moment magnitude scale and an IX on the Mercalli Intensity Scale.
What were the social impacts of the Indian Ocean tsunami?
Over 200,000 people died from the tsunami, with several others injured and lost. This loss of loved ones, homes and livelihoods had long-lasting psychological effects on survivors, leading to depression, anxiety and PTSD. It destroyed several pieces of infrastructure, causing the halting and, in some cases, ending of several businesses, creating unemployment.
Widespread damage to the infrastructure caused by the tsunami also disrupted water and sanitation systems, causing outbreaks of cholera and typhoid fever. This was exacerbated by the large numbers of dead bodies.
What were the economical impacts of the Indian Ocean tsunami?
The tsunami hit Indonesian mines, halting their main exports of coal. copper ore and gold, and the significant coastal erosion severely effected the livelihoods of those who rely on coastal resources. Furthermore, the closing and halting of several damaged businesses caused a period of economic inactivity in the area.
What were the environmental impacts of the Indian Ocean tsunami?
The tsunami caused coastal erosion on a great scale, and the waves of the tsunami destabilized hillsides and triggered mass movement. The earthquake that caused the tsunami caused soil liquefaction.
What were the political impacts of the Indian Ocean tsunami?
Following the impact of the tsunami, there was an increase in cooperation between the countries affected. However the significant displacement the tsunami caused led to political tensions between the countries.
List the short-term responses to the Indian Ocean tsunami.
- Large-scale efforts to search for and rescue the survivors of the tsunami.
- Several organisations provided emergency supplies, such as water, medicinal supplies and food, for those affected.
- Significant international aid efforts in which the United Nations played a key role in coordinating.
- Emergency infrastructure was established (field hospitals, water treatment facilities, temporary housing, etc.)
List the long-term responses to the Indian Ocean tsunami.
- Infrastructure throughout the affected areas was reconstructed. Buildings, bridges and roads were repaired; this process took several years.
- There was a significant effort to create early warning systems in case an event like this happened again e.g. the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System.
Counselling services, training for mental health professionals and community-based systems were introduced to provide support for the victims’ mental health.
