2004 Asian Tsunami What causes a Tsunami? Impacts Where? Location / Country affected Cause (2004) Responses Short Term Long Term Short Term Long Term On 26 December 2004, an underwater earthquake that measured 9.0 on the Richter scale occurred off of the western coast of northern Sumatra in Indonesia. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 30km below sea level, this occurred as a result of a sudden release of pressure along 1200km of tectonic plate. The shaking of the sea bed and the rebounding of the Eurasian plate by up to 20 metes along the entire 1200km displaced a colossal volume of water all at once, very quickly. Buildings were seriously damaged or completely destroyed. Around 193,623 people were killed across 15 countries. Over 600,000 people were injured and 51,598 people were reported missing. Tourist numbers will decrease, since they will face a moral dilemma as to whether to visit the area to look at the destruction. Rescue teams struggled with the large numbers of casualties. Medical teams were dispatched to help survivors. The tsunami occurred off the western coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia. It affected around 13 countries, with Indonesia and Sri Lanka being most seriously affected. A tsunami can be caused by a collision at a plate boundary, with one plate sliding beneath another. This causes the seabed to life, and the water on top is then displaced, since it has nowhere to go, it forms a giant wave. This wave is not noticed by boats, with the sea level rising by only a few centimetres. When it reaches land however, it forms a large wall of water that can cause mass destruction. Tsunamis can also be caused, less commonly, by both underwater landslides and volcanic eruptions. 2 million homes were destroyed, public buildings and homes were destroyed. International aid agencies provided water and water purification tablets. Many new homes were built. Financial aid for long term reconstruction was provided by governments across the world. The UK government pledged £75 million to help long term reconstruction. Charities and other non- government organisations like Save the Children and Church world Service were swift to airlift tarpaulins, sheeting and tents, portable generators and food to devastated communities. Medical and science teams from the UK, Australia and elsewhere were sent to help psychologically and physically damaged people. Another task of theirs was to identify corpses and reunite infants with their families using DNA techniques. On 22 January 2005 the UN announced that a tsunami early warning system would be established for the Indian Ocean, similar to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC). This will alert people who are at risk, reducing the loss of life if a similar event happens again. Drinking water in some areas was contaminated by seawater, sewage and decaying corpses. Roughly 16 coral atolls swamped by seawater, making them uninhabitable for decades. Farmland was contaminated with salt water. In many coastal settlements, fishermen had lost their equipment, and as a result were not able to make a living.