Tsunami and Earthquakes in Maldives by Zahid Department of Meteorology Phone: , Fax:

Tsunami  Tsunami is a series of waves most commonly caused by an earthquake beneath the sea floor.  As we all know, a massive tsunami was generated on Dec 26, 2004 following an earthquake of magnitude 9.0 in Sumatra.  This was the second largest tsunamigenic earthquake recorded globally.

Tsunami  The Maldives was badly affected by Dec 26, 2004 tsunami waves.  Tsunami struck Maldives islands after about 3 hours of its occurrence.  Tidal waves ranging from 1.2 to 4.2m were reported from all parts of the country.  Thirty nine islands were significantly damaged and nearly a third of Maldives’ population was severely affected.  About 29,580 residents were displaced and around 12,000 remained homeless.

 PICs December 2004 Sumathra Earthquake and the Effect of Tsunami to the Maldives.

Tsunami  In general, due to the presence of large coral reefs around the islands, most of the islands are protected from wave impact.  The geographic locations of certain group of islands are such that they are protected from tsunami waves.  The group of islands lying along the eastern side of Maldives, are most prone to tsunami waves (zone 4-5), as 95 % of tsunamis that affected Maldives generated from eastern source zone - three segments of Sumatra subduction zone

Earthquake  Earthquake is a shaking of the ground caused by the sudden dislocation of material within the earth's outer layer, or crust.  When forces pushing on a mass of rock overcome the friction holding the rock in place and blocks of rock slip against each other an earthquake may occur.  Some earthquakes are so slight, and some occur in such remote areas, that they are barely felt.  Others are so violent that they cause extensive damage

 Three major events of more than 7.0 magnitude earthquake had struck around the Maldives  For example on 15 th July, 2003, an earthquake with magnitude 7.6 had occurred in Carlsberg Ridge (444km from most southern atoll-Addu) and had damaged some properties in most southern islands of the Maldives. Earthquake

Damage caused by 2003 Earthquake

Figure shows historical events of Earthquake around Maldives.

Earthquake  The likelihood of earthquakes with magnitude of 5 and above in Maldives is limited to only the southern parts of the country, namely Seenu, Gnaviyani, Gaafu Alifu and Gaafu Dhaalu atolls.  Since earthquakes of this scale are known to cause damage to life and property, the population of these atolls are at high risk.

Maldives seismic hazard zones Earthquake prone areas in Maldives

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