Indian Ocean Tsunami Flashcards
when was the indian ocean tsunami
2004
what was the magnitude
9.1
what was the cause
the rupture of the Sundra Megathrust fault caused the seabed to rise by 15m for over 1500 km, this caused a 30m wave
what is the sundra megathrust
it is a destructive plate boundary between burma plate and the subducting indo-australian plate
what exemplifyed the impact of the tsunami
the natural defense of mangroves were removed for economic reasons
what were the global effects
-the earths orbit was altered, days are now 2.68 microseconds shorter
-12 countries were affected
what were the social impacts
- death toll of 228,000
-most coastal populations were taken by surprise due to a complete lack of tsunami warning materials
-many people ventured onto exposed beaches due to the drawback effect, causing many casualties by drowning
-high population and tropical climate meant that diseases spread fast, cholera, dysentery and hepatitis epidemics were feared
what were the economic impacts
-many communities were dependant on the fishing industry, so loss of income earners, fishing equipment and ships damaged local economy in some areas
-infrastructure, such as fresh water supplies were damaged, making it difficult for farmers to irrigate, the saltwater made land infertile
what were environmental impacts
-coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, coral reefs and forests destroyed by the wave surge
-many more ecosystems polluted by human and chemical waste in the floodwater
what were the responses
-US $14 billion was provided in aid
-the US provided aircraft for search and rescue, surveying and transport if aid cargo
-corruption hampered aid efforts, for exampel sri lanka refused israli aid effords
-tsunami warning implemented in response
