Earthquake and Tsunami Kevin Gwinn and Kari Schumacher

A Brief History Subduction Zone India and Burma Plates 10 years before tsunami, 40 events larger than magnitude 5.5 in the area but no tsunami Past 200 years several earthquakes greater than magnitude 8 generated moderate-sized tsunami

December 26, 2004 Magnitude 9.1 earthquake Shook for as much as 8 minutes Offset on the thrust plane was approximately 15 meters with the sea floor rising several meters Subduction zone broke, extending north over about 1,200 km of its length

Tsunami Waves rose to 10 or more meters above normal sea level (>700 km/hr) Wave receded into the trough before the next wave Video

Aftermath, Immediately after Initial estimated death toll was 300,000 An estimated 1,000,000 displaced

Aftermath, Months later Death toll adjusted to 169,752 with 127,294 missing due to tsunami Many other deaths due to disease and damage to infrastructure

Meulaboh Indonesia, Before Tsunami

Meulaboh Indonesia, 3 weeks after Tsunami

Meulaboh Indonesia Before Tsunami Meulaboh Indonesia 3 weeks after Tsunami

Cleanup Efforts Humanitarian effort from around the world raised over $7 billion Some small villages were never rebuilt, or were claimed completely by the sea Most coastal towns have recovered and show few signs of a major disaster only 5 years

Current Conditions Wide spread destruction was never rebuilt in some areas Large amounts of sediment have essentially destroyed farmland even 5 years after the event Even with humanitarian aid, many of the 3 rd world countries were unable to rebuild and are still suffering Picture of Aceh Indonesia before 2004 Tsunami (left) and Aceh Indonesia in November 2008 (right)

Actions Taken Education program for affected countries Increased awareness of the dangers of tsunamis Changes in technology and warning systems Recent Samoa tsunami is an example

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