Indian Ocean Tsunami

Background of the Indian Ocean Tsunami

26th December 2004 - 9.3 magnitude earthquake - Indo-Australian Plate subducts beneath the Eurasian plate - 1600km of sea bed displaced by 15m

Economic impacts of the Indian Ocean Tsunami

Agriculture, fishing and tourism economies were destroyed - negative multiplier effects further weakened economies - extensive damage to coastal infrastructure such as roads, railway lines and bridges

Economic impacts of the Indian Ocean Tsunami - Numbers

44% of people in Banda Aceh lost their livelihoods - Thai fishing industry lost £226 million - cost insurance companies $5 billion

Social impacts of the Indian Ocean Tsunami

300000 died including tourists - large portions of local populations made homeless - 500000 people in Banda Aceh - cholera outbreaks due to a lack of clean water

Environmental impacts of the Indian Ocean Tsunami

Vegetation and top soil destroyed by tsunami up to 8km inland - coastal ecosystems (coral reefs and mangroves) were destroyed - saline intrusion - ecosystems contaminated with human and chemical waste

Short term responses to the Indian Ocean Tsunami

160 organisations involved - bottled water, water purification tablets, food and tents were sent - UK government provided £75 million - military troops sent in to help with the relief effort

Delay of the short term responses to the Indian Ocean Tsunami

No early warning system - Thai warnings made 1hr after wave already hit

Long term responses to the Indian Ocean Tsunami

UN set up an early warning system but still requires countries to warn people - tourist areas were quickly rebuilt - native coastal communities were pushed out for new developments (Andhra Pradesh, India) - coastal zones are mapped out - improved level of tsunami awareness

Issues with the warning system after the Indian Ocean Tsunami

Effectiveness varies between countries and regions - countries responsible for warning their citizens - tourist areas have sirens in Thailand but rural coastal villages rely on radio