TSUNAMI 26TH DECEMBER 2004

Location of the earthquakes / tsunami

The following slides include quotations and ideas to make us as geographers think carefully about the effects and wider implications of the tsunami which occurred following the earthquake in the Indian Ocean on 26th December 2004.

Use of Statistics Why do casualty figures vary depending on which source is used ? When may accurate figures be available ?

Statistics 12 countries around Indian Ocean First estimates on 26/12/04 15,000 people had died By 28/12/04 estimated over 50,000 deaths 29/12/04 estimated numbers reach 70,000 by later in the day this figure was 80,000 UN estimates 5 million survivors are lacking food, shelter and clean water.

30/12/04 estimated fatality figures now 120,000 (of which 80,000 thought to be in Indonesia) 31/12/04 Indonesian government announce they have stopped counting the number of fatalities.

Read the quotations on the following slides What views are being put forward ? Do you agree / disagree with the views ? Remember to consider the sources of the viewpoints. (Geographical Issues: Unit 3)

We view with awe a release of power on this scale. We know that this power is greater than that of our species — nature holds us in its hands. We may be able to mitigate some of the consequences; in some cases we may be able to give advance warning of the threat; but we are not in control; the tsunami has demonstrated this ancient truth. William Rees-Mogg TheTimes 27/12/04

"It is true that an earthquake is unpredictable but a tsunami, which occurs after an earthquake, is predictable.” The Guardian 28/12/04

"At least two-thirds of the people who died should not have died," a natural disaster expert, Bill McGuire of University College London, told the Guardian. "They could have had an hour or so to get a kilometre or two inland or to reach high ground." 28/12/04

In Thailand there was criticism of the government's failure to provide adequate warning. "The [meteorological department] had up to an hour to announce the emergency message and evacuate people but they failed to do so," Thammasarote Smith, a former senior forecaster at the department, told the Bangkok Post.

NGO involvement Which NGOs are involved in sending aid to the region ? What type of aid is needed ? How can we help ? What is DEC ?

“Charities are rarely faced with a disaster so geographically widespread; almost the whole Indian Ocean rim has been hit, and few of the countries most affected have governments strong enough or with sufficient resources to co-ordinate the relief when it arrives.” Times 28/12/04

Disease Water borne diseases e.g. diarrhoea, typhoid, cholera are more prevalent. Possibility of an increase in insect borne diseases e.g. malaria, dengue fever in the near future. Immediate aid - rehydration sachets and tablets, clean water, water purification equipment.

Government action What action are governments in the region taking ? What is our government doing to help ? What is the role of DFID?

“Societies that have suffered a natural catastrophe tend to pull together in the common challenge to rebuild their broken structures. This, in turn, can build bridges, political as well as economic, between communities split along racial, ethnic or religious lines. That can also work across national borders. In the past year nations of southern and South-East Asia have been discussing ways to form a more powerful and coherent grouping; the destruction that they suffered in common may hasten the interchange of expertise, aid and political ideas.” Comment: Times 27/12/04

Early Warning System What reasons are there for the Indian Ocean region not having a tsunami early warning system in place ? May this change in the future ? What differences would it have made ?

29/12/04 BBC News is reporting the Indian government are pledging to spend £14 million on setting up a tsunami warning system in the Indian Ocean. Do you think this is a good idea or could the money be spent on something else ?

Empathy We live in a coastal area - how would we feel if our families and homes were affected ? How much warning would we need to evacuate our homes / places of work ?

The future ? What could be done ? What should be done ? How feasible is it to prevent a natural disaster from having such a devastating effect ? Is it just a matter of money ? What other factors need to be considered ?

Further reading / research Use search engines to find URLs for newspapers and other media sites e.g. BBC, CNN for eye witness accounts and scientific explanations as well as information from charities and local governments.