Tsunamis: The 'Asian Tsunami' of 2004

On 26 December 2004 , parts of the coastal region of the Indian Ocean were devastated by a tsunami of an unprecedented scale and magnitude. The enormity of this event, the countless lives that it changed forever and the humanitarian response from across the world in its aftermath are the subject of this Atlas Update.

Pages 118 and 119 of the Heinemann Atlas 3rd edn best show much of the region that was affected by the tsunami. Given the size of the area it touched and the number of places that lay in the path of its power, you may find it useful to work with these pages of the Atlas open as you read through this Background.

First – the earthquake

Just before 8.00 am local time on the morning of 26 December 2004 , an earthquake of magnitude 9.0 on the Richter scale was experienced in the South-East Asian region. The quake was located approximately 1600 kilometres northwest of the Indonesian capital of Jakarta . (The location of the earthquake can be located with more accuracy by referring to page 120 of the Heinemann Atlas 3rd edn .) The epicentre of the quake was approximately 250 kilometres south south east of the Indonesian city of Banda Aceh, which can be seen in grid square B5. Centred approximately 30 kilometres beneath the sea bed at this point, the quake released an amount of energy that was estimated to equate to 475 000 kilotons of the explosive TNT.

Next – the tsunami

The ensuing tsunami was generated in direct response to massive crustal movements caused by the earthquake. By referring to the map of the earth's tectonic plates on pages 184 and 185 of the Heinemann Atlas 3rd edn , you will be able to locate the Indian Plate. The plate is shown to be moving in a northwesterly direction. On 26 December, this plate was forced down (or ‘subducted') under the Burma Plate (not shown on the map, but part of the larger Eurasian plate) by an incredible 20 metres. In effect, this raised the sea floor in this area, which in turn was displaced, pushing upwards and outwards large volumes of water from the epicentre of the quake.

This displaced water travelled with a frightening rapidity across the ocean in all directions away from the epicentre. (It is even estimated that the waves generated travelled at speeds approaching 800 kilometres an hour!) Whilst the tsunami travelled in the water of the open ocean, its ‘waves' were quite small, with heights of less than 1 metre. However, as the tsunami neared coastal regions and began to experience friction with the sea floor, it lost speed and grew in height. The height of the tsunami as it came ashore varied across the affected region, from 4 metres in Thailand and Sri Lanka up to as much as 10 metres in the parts of Indonesia that were closest to the epicentre.

Little warning of the catastrophe ahead

Given the speed with which the tsunami travelled, and with the lack of an early warning tsunami-monitoring system such as the one that exists in the Pacific Ocean , there was little warning for people to prepare for the onrush of the ocean that the tsunami brought with it. The sudden drawing back of the sea from the beaches in some coastal regions just before the tsunami struck was one sign of impending disaster. But by the time this was noticeable to those standing on shore, it was already too late.

Effects of the tsunami

Chilling video footage that has emerged since the event shows that, with virtually no warning, many locals and holidaymakers were caught on the beach as the tsunami struck. The sheer volume of water travelling with the tsunami and the force behind its generation meant that, in lower lying areas, the ocean was able to penetrate deeply inland. In some places, this was as much as 2 kilometres, with the result that many areas were flooded for days. The waves of the tsunami carried vast volumes of water back and forth across coastal areas, picking up cars, trains, buses and homes, tearing sheets of tin from buildings (a lethal mix in streets full of people) and completely devastating the landscape.

Casualties of the tsunami from Asian region to Africa

In the hours and days that immediately followed the tsunami, it became clear that the death toll from this tragic event was going to be unprecedented in living memory. Casualties were reported from across the Asian region, from Indonesia through Thailand and India to Sri Lanka, the Maldives, the Seychelles and places even further towards (and on) the African continent, such as Somalia seven hours later.

The numbers of dead, sick and injured continued to grow in the days following the tsunami as the true extent of its impact became clear. The risk of disease and water-borne illnesses also grew as important infrastructure such as sewerage, water and power had been, in many cases, completely overwhelmed, leaving locals stranded.

Table 1: Tsunami casualty figures by country

World's response to the tsunami

The response from around the world to the affected regions was, quite simply, incredible. Initially, governments pledged medical teams, assorted army personnel (especially engineers) and aid donations to help with the immediate crisis and with a focus on restoring vital infrastructure. At the same time, in many nations, government hotlines and information services were established for people to trace loved ones who may have been holidaying in the region at the time of the tsunami.

Need for ongoing support

As more reports of tsunami destruction began to filter through, and as images beamed around the world and into living rooms, it became apparent that the region would need ongoing support and long-term assistance.

Children a priority

Once infrastructure became re-established and food and water supplies guaranteed, priorities shifted to caring for the thousands of children whose lives had been displaced by the tsunami. Much importance was placed on the reopening of schools and the provision of support for children orphaned by the tragedy, with the idea of giving some sense of regularity and purpose back to the affected communities. Government assistance from around the world steadily increased and programmes to send volunteers like teachers and nurses to the region were set up.

Generosity: an outstanding response

It was the outpouring of generosity from ‘ordinary people' that was perhaps the most admirable response to the tragedy. Non-government aid agencies such as the Australian Red Cross reported that they had never experienced such generosity of spirit. Tsunami benefit events, ranging from international cricket matches through concerts to comedy galas were organised and well supported by the community. These events, and the countless donations that were received through telethons and phone hotlines went some way to raising the estimated $7 billion needed to reconstruct the region.

The future: a long process of planning and reconstruction

The scale of tsunami tragedy, directly touching 13 nations and having an impact on many more across the globe, will be talked about, referred to and focused on many times over the coming years. The need for an early-warning system and the development of emergency procedures in the event of another tsunami have already been keenly discussed in the international community, and are of vital importance to the region. However, the human face of this event, and the rebuilding of communities and economies will stay in sharp focus as people throughout the Asian region try to re-establish lives that were so cruelly torn apart on the morning of 26 December, 2004.