...extraordinary. The 2010 Indian Ocean Tsunami ranks number six on the list of deadliest natural disasters of all time. That alone proves the grim manner of these series of large waves caused by the sudden movement of the ocean. Tsunamis are fierce, dangerous natural disasters. They not only can kill plenty but also can cost considerable amounts. This essay will focus on the major, most famous tsunamis in the world’s history. Tsunamis occur mostly in the Pacific Ocean mostly around the Ring of Fire (“Tsunamis”). This is because this dangerous area is known for its production of such disasters as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, or even both trigger the Tsunami. There have been spectacular tsunamis in the past. 1707 Hoei Tsunami was for centuries the largest earthquake in Japan (“1707 Hōei earthquake”). The earthquake that caused it had magnitude of 8.6. The earthquake’s fault rupture extended to more than 700 km (“Abstract”). Back in 1771, an earthquake of a 7.4 magnitude occurred just south of the Okinawa, Japan Island. Killing nearly eight and a half thousand people, a tsunami of mass destruction took place. The population decrease to about one third and more than 2,000 houses were demolished (“1771 Great Yaeyama Tsunami”). Comparatively, on November 1, 1775 an earthquake in the Kingdom of Portugal occurred. The earthquake caused fires and a tsunami. This tsunami almost completely destroyed Lisbon, in the Kingdom of Portugal. The Lisbon earthquake had a magnitude of 8.7 on...
Words: 981 - Pages: 4
...The earthquake and the tsunami on the Indian Ocean (2004) On 26th of December 2004, the most horrible nightmare came true for the people living in the countries located on the Indian Ocean; Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. It’s one of those episodes that still are remembered today and are in the back of people’s minds. It was series of underground-earthquakes that were triggered, and the first and the most powerful earthquake at magnitude 9,3 on the Richter’s scale. It began 7:58 AM (Indonesia’s time). The earthquake was starting, and Jakarta’s geophysics institute registered it at magnitude 6.5 at the Richter’s scale. The United States Geological Survey reported the magnitude was at 8.1, but after analyses it was then increased to 8.5, afterwards 8.9, and at the end 9.0. After 16 minutes, a warning was published by Hawaii. The biggest disaster struck after 30 minutes, though, when strong waves (that were up to 10 meters high) began hitting the west coast of Sumatra. Only 1 to 2 hours later, the waves came to Thailand, south Myanmar and parts of Malaysia. In Sri Lanka, the waves came 1 to 2 hours after the earthquake. The waves that hit Maldives 4 hours later were not as strong, though… they were still stronger than the waves that hit Kenya, Somalia and Tanzania 6 to 7 hours thereafter. Like I mentioned, the earthquake was first measured at 6.5 at the Richter’s scale, but at the end (after analyses), it was measured at 9.3. The hypocenter...
Words: 514 - Pages: 3
...The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was a megathrust earthquake that occurred underneath the ocean floor. The earthquake occurred sortly after christmas at 00:58:53 UTC on Sunday, 26 December 2004, with an epicenter off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The quake itself is known by the scientific community as the Sumatra–Andaman earthquake and the tsunami has various names, including the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, South Asian tsunami, Indonesian tsunami, and the Boxing Day tsunami. The earthquake was caused by subduction and triggered a series of devastating tsunamis along the coasts of most landmasses bordering the Indian Ocean, killing over 230,000 people in fourteen countries, and inundating coastal communities with waves up to 30 meters or 98 ft. high. It was one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history. Indonesia was the hardest-hit country, followed by Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand. The megathrust earthquake was unusually large in geographical and geological extent. An estimated 1,600 kilometres of fault surface slipped (or ruptured) about 15 metres along the subduction zone where the India Plate slides under the overriding Burma Plate. The slip did not happen instantaneously but took place in two phases over a period of several minutes. First the seismographic and acoustic data indicate that the first phase involved a rupture about 400 kilometres long and 100 kilometres wide, located 30 kilometers beneath the sea bed—the largest rupture...
Words: 320 - Pages: 2
...------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- 2003 INDIAN OCEAN EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI ------------------------------------------------- REPORT ------------------------------------------------- BY Ray Ha ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- A OVERALL INTRODUCTION ------------------------------------------------- The Indian Ocean Earthquake happened in December 24th, 2004. The main ------------------------------------------------- places the ocean earthquake and tsunami stroke was the border of the India Ocean Plate and the Asian plate. This huge disaster came completely unexpected and caused GREAT suffer for Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, Maldives and many more South Asian countries, in both population and economy. From the statistics due to January 10th, 2005, the Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami had whirled away 156 thousand lives, most experts point out that this might be the most...
Words: 600 - Pages: 3
...The 2004 Boxing Day Indian Ocean Tsunami happened at 00:58UT at 3.316 degrees North and 95.854 degrees East. The Tsunami lasted 8 minutes and caused 227,898 people to lose their lives, which affected many people in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Somalia, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The Indian Ocean Tsunami was created by a series of chain affects including subduction, formation of an earthquake, formation of a tsunami and wave formation. Subduction is the process that takes place at the boundaries by which one tectonic plate moves under another tectonic plate. The tectonic plates push against each other, causing a build up of pressure, which causes dramatic movement. The Indian Ocean Tsunami was located 250 kms off the West coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The process of the Indonesian Tsunami was caused by the denser Indo-Australian plate was moving east while grinding against the lighter Burma tectonic plate and this caused the Burma plate to move about six centimetres a year over 150 years which caused a large amount of pressure to build up. The build up of pressure of by the Indo-Australian and Burma Tectonic plates in the continent of South-East Asia caused the formation of the earthquake that formed the Indian Ocean Tsunami. The build up of pressure over the years, forced the earths crust to break, causing a 9.3 magnitude earthquake on the 26th of December 2004. The epicentre of an earthquake is the point on the earth's surface directly above the focus of...
Words: 573 - Pages: 3
...an ocean or a vast lake. The awareness for tsunamis has risen tremendously as they have become less rare in the current and previous century. As this destructive force has made a great impact in today’s talk over natural disasters, scientists all over the world, media, as well as Hollywood directors have all decided to dig deeper into tsunamis. This paper will discuss the numerous scientific principles that cause tsunamis to occur, various effects of these seismic sea waves, different methods on how they can be prevented, the impact of recent tsunamis had around the globe, and finally how the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was portrayed in Juan Antonio Bayona’s movie, “The Impossible”. There are four possible elements that cause a tsunami to form. These factors, from most likely to occur to least likely respectively include, earthquakes, submarine landslides, submarine volcanic eruptions, and large meteorites crashing in the ocean (Magnus). In order to better comprehend the causes that make a tsunami, it is important to have a better knowledge about earthquakes. Earthquakes are formed alongside certain faults, which are fractures in the Earth’s crust. As these fractured plates collide with each other, they cause an earthquake. In some cases, the energy along these faults can increase over extended period of time causing a powerful earthquake to occur. When a forceful, swift faulting clash with each other, either underneath or in proximate distance to the ocean, an earthquake is...
Words: 1992 - Pages: 8
...‘Technology is the best way to reduce the impact of an earthquake’ to what extent do you agree with this view? (40 marks) An earthquake is a sudden violent shaking of the ground, typically causing great destruction, as a result of movements within the earth’s crust or volcanic action. Impacts of an earthquake can include short-term impacts such as fatalities, or long-term impacts such as income lost through lack of tourism. Technology can be used to predict the likelihood of an earthquake occurring in a particular area, for example by detecting plate movement, and this can reduce the impacts of an earthquake in return. This essay will discuss whether technology is the best way to reduce the impact of an earthquake or not. Technology can predict earthquakes through a seismometer. A seismometer is used to pick up the vibrations in the Earth’s crust and this can help predict earthquakes as an increase in vibrations may indicate a possible earthquake. Through the use of this technology, people living in earthquake zones are able to evacuate the area, which reduces the likelihood of fatalities from the earthquake and the falling debris caused by it. There are also other ways in which earthquakes can be predicted such as using laser beams to detect plate movement, monitoring the levels of radon gas that is being released from cracks in the crust and monitoring changes in ground levels. In February 1975 in the city of Haicheng in China, scientists identified changes in the ground...
Words: 1120 - Pages: 5
...“Discuss the view that the impact of earthquake hazards depends primarily on human factors (40)”. I agree to some extent about the statement above and that human factors can affect the impact of an earthquake hazard. A hazard is an object or process that has the potential to cause harm. Ground shaking, ground displacement and flooding are some of the hazards that are produced during an earthquake. In relation to the question above the type and severity of the impact can be affected by physical factors (such as the magnitude and frequency of the quake) as well as human factors (population density and education). I will be discussing the question using the following case studies, Sichuan, Indonesia and L’Aquila. On the 12th May 2008 an earthquake occurred at 2:28pm in Sichuan because the pressure resulting from the Indian plate colliding with the Eurasian was sent along the Longmenshan fault line that runs through Sichuan. The earthquake lasted 120 seconds and reached 7.9 on the Richter scale, one of the deadliest to strike China in recent years and its effects were felt as far away as Taiwan, Thailand and Bangladesh. Although the area has a long history of tectonic activity, it seems it was not prepared for an event of this magnitude. With a population consisting of 87.26m people the death toll stood at nearly 70 thousand along with 374,000 people injured and 5m left homeless. Making this Chinas worst earthquake since 1976 when 240,000 people were killed in Tangshan. Even...
Words: 1399 - Pages: 6
...“Discuss the view that the impact of earthquake hazards depends primarily on human factors (40)”. I agree to some extent about the statement above and that human factors can affect the impact of an earthquake hazard. A hazard is an object or process that has the potential to cause harm. Ground shaking, ground displacement and flooding are some of the hazards that are produced during an earthquake. In relation to the question above the type and severity of the impact can be affected by physical factors (such as the magnitude and frequency of the quake) as well as human factors (population density and education). I will be discussing the question using the following case studies, Sichuan, Indonesia and L’Aquila. On the 12th May 2008 an earthquake occurred at 2:28pm in Sichuan because the pressure resulting from the Indian plate colliding with the Eurasian was sent along the Longmenshan fault line that runs through Sichuan. The earthquake lasted 120 seconds and reached 7.9 on the Richter scale, one of the deadliest to strike China in recent years and its effects were felt as far away as Taiwan, Thailand and Bangladesh. Although the area has a long history of tectonic activity, it seems it was not prepared for an event of this magnitude. With a population consisting of 87.26m people the death toll stood at nearly 70 thousand along with 374,000 people injured and 5m left homeless. Making this Chinas worst earthquake since 1976 when 240,000 people were killed in Tangshan. Even...
Words: 1399 - Pages: 6
...Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Manuals and Guides 52 Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission TSUNAMI RISK ASSESSMENT ANDMITIGATION FOR THE INDIAN OCEAN KNOWING YOUR TSUNAMI RISK – AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT June 2009 UNESCO 1 Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Manuals and Guides 52 knowing your tsunami risk – and what to do about it Tsunami risk assessment and mitigation for the Indian Ocean; The designation employed and the presentation of material throughout the publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO in particular concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or the delineation of its frontiers or boundaries. The authors are responsible for the choice and the presentation of the facts contained in this manual and for the opinions expressed therein, which are not necessarily those of UNESCO and do not commit the Organization. Designer: Eric Loddé For bibliographic purposes, this document should be cited as follows: Tsunami risk assessment and mitigation for the Indian Ocean; knowing your tsunami risk – and what to do about it IOC Manual and Guides No. 52, Paris: UNESCO, 2007 (English). Printed by UNESCO (IOC/2009/MG/52) © UNESCO IOC 2009 Tsunami risk assessment and mitigation for the Indian Ocean; knowing your tsunami risk – and what to do about it 3 Table of contents Acknowledgement .....................................................
Words: 47633 - Pages: 191
...Earthquakes are an example of seismic activity created by plate boundaries. They can be caused by the subduction of oceanic crust which is densest at 2.9 g/cm3 under continental crust which weighs 2.7g/m3 at destructive plate boundaries. Earthquakes can also occur along conservative plate boundaries such as that shared by the Pacific and North American plates which move at 5-9 cm/year and 2-3 cm/year respectively causing the 1994 Los Angeles earthquake along the San Andreas fault alongside which lies the San Gregorio and Hayward faults. Earthquakes have different impacts dependent on the location of their foci, the point at which they originate from underground, the presence of land in the surrounding areas, but also the human factors such as land use, population density and the use of earthquake proofing technologies to limit earthquake impacts. The Boxing Day tsunami in 2004 was created due to an earthquake along the 3 plate junction where the Philippine, Pacific and Eurasian plates all meet. The 15-20 m slip along a 1600km slip plane created an earthquake measures at 9.1 on the logarithmic Richter scale making it one of the most intense earthquakes in history. It caused a tsunami wave which resulted in the deaths of 180000 people according to a UN report, though other sources suggested it reached 300000. The Kobe earthquake which devastated the port of Osaka Bay resulted in 6300 deaths and 35000 serious injuries. This earthquake measured 7.1 on the Richter scale meaning that...
Words: 1153 - Pages: 5
...Right after christmas day also known as boxing day, a huge disaster happened. On of the worlds most deadliest tsunamis hit the indian ocean. This tsunami came to a shock because there was not many if any signs that a tsunami was coming. Even though this tsunami happened around 14 years ago it still has been affecting the places they were hit at. The hardest hit and most severely affected countries were India, Indonesia, because there was not many if any signs that a tsunami was coming. Even though this tsunami happened around 14 years ago it still has been affecting the places they were hit at. The hardest hit and most severely affected countries were India, Indonesia, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Malaysia, Myanmar, Seychelles, Somalia...
Words: 306 - Pages: 2
...COUNTRIES AFFECTED BY NATURAL CALAMITIES Natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and floods can often come at the least expected time. Others, such as hurricanes and cyclones are increasing in severity and destruction. Typically, the poor are the worst hit for they have the least resources to cope and rebuild. As the 2011 Great Eastern Japan Earthquake has made all too clear, natural disasters can be very difficult to predict and fully prepare against, and have incredibly far-reaching consequences for the safety and wellbeing of individuals and communities. As in previous natural disasters such as the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Australian bushfires in 2009, the 2010 Haiti earthquake and the 2010 Pakistan floods, the impacts on people and society in affected areas are immediate and overwhelming. Such catastrophes tend to worsen pre-existing problems and inequalities, with vulnerable parts of the population often disproportionately impacted. For instance, initial estimates suggest that 65% of the deaths from the recent disaster in Japan were of people aged 60 or over. The consequences can be felt for many years, with people suffering as refugees or being displaced within their own country, their livelihoods destroyed, and facing long-term health issues. Over the past two years, 700 natural disasters were registered worldwide affecting more than 450 million people, according to a new IMF study. Damages have risen from an estimated...
Words: 1287 - Pages: 6
...Earthquakes are an example of seismic activity created by plate boundaries. They can be caused by the subduction of oceanic crust which is densest at 2.9 g/cm3 under continental crust which weighs 2.7g/m3 at destructive plate boundaries. Earthquakes can also occur along conservative plate boundaries such as that shared by the Pacific and North American plates which move at 5-9 cm/year and 2-3 cm/year respectively causing the 1994 Los Angeles earthquake along the San Andreas fault alongside which lies the San Gregorio and Hayward faults. Earthquakes have different impacts dependent on the location of their foci, the point at which they originate from underground, the presence of land in the surrounding areas, but also the human factors such as land use, population density and the use of earthquake proofing technologies to limit earthquake impacts. The Boxing Day tsunami in 2004 was created due to an earthquake along the 3 plate junction where the Philippine, Pacific and Eurasian plates all meet. The 15-20 m slip along a 1600km slip plane created an earthquake measures at 9.1 on the logarithmic Richter scale making it one of the most intense earthquakes in history. It caused a tsunami wave which resulted in the deaths of 180000 people according to a UN report, though other sources suggested it reached 300000. The Kobe earthquake which devastated the port of Osaka Bay resulted in 6300 deaths and 35000 serious injuries. This earthquake measured 7.1 on the Richter scale meaning...
Words: 1153 - Pages: 5
...damage to humans or buildings. Many volcanic and seismic events happen that cause hazards to humans. Often the world’s poorest people are hit the worst, however wealthier countries can also be adversely affected. The Kobe earthquake in Japan 1995 struck at 5.45am. Many people were asleep in bed, causing the hazard to be increased because the people were unaware. Although many Japanese buildings were of aseismic design, the roofs of their houses were designed to withstand typhoons and so were very heavy. When the earthquake struck many people were crushed in their sleep. Also every year on 1st September Japan has national earthquake preparedness day to remember the 140000 that died in the Tokyo earthquake of 1923 but this did not help many of the citizens of Kobe. The Kobe earthquake was also in December so many people had nowhere to go in the middle of the night in winter and the risk of hyperthermia was extremely high. People were not put into temporary accommodation for up to two weeks after the event because the Japanese government originally refused assistance from foreign countries to help with the aid effort. The secondary effects of the earthquake like the gas leaks and fires killed 3000 people and many businesses were lost in the port. The Kobe earthquake shows that sometimes the wealthier countries can be just as badly affected. The Icelandic volcano, Ejajjallajokall, affected many people around the world, both wealthy and poor. The airspace above much of Europe was closed...
Words: 1043 - Pages: 5
