Vulnerability
True or False - buildings in the Indian Ocean region are all well built and able to withstand extreme natural events?
False - few buildings in these countries are structurally sound
How big was the Earthquake in the Sunda Trench that caused the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami?
9.1 on the richter scale
Approximately how many people died from the Boxing Day Tsunami?
About 230,000
What ocean ecosystem was mainly affected by the tsunami?
The wave destroyed coral reefs as it moved towards the coast
48 US Navy boats were sent to the region to help with fresh water production. How much water could each boat produce per day?
340,000 litres - enough for over half a million people to survive.
The Sunda Trench is part of the 'Ring of (what)' where 80% of the world's earthquakes happen.
The 'Ring of FIRE' - this area surrounds the Pacific Ocean and is extremely tectonically active
What 'D' happens when rock shifts at the bottom of the ocean and the water above it moves upwards?
Displacement - this pushes water upwards. Gravity then brings it down and the water is pushed out as ripples (waves)
In US$, what was the total amount of of damage caused by the tsunami?
US$19 billion!
What coastal ecosystem was affected most by the tsunami?
The wave destroyed mangrove forests as it reached the coast.
How much money did the people in Australia donate to the relief effort?
US$1.32 billion (about $50 per person on average)
Which word out of these best describes the land near to the coast in Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka?
FLAT, MOUNTAINOUS, DESERT, SNOWY
Flat - this meant that the tsunami was able to wash a long way inland, destroying towns, villages and infrastructure
What 'S' occurs when waves reach shallower water?
Shoaling - this means that waves slow down and get taller when they're closer to land
How many fishing boats were destroyed in Indonesia becsause of the tsunami?
Over 2,000
How was the tsunami able to affect many ecosystems on the land surrounding the Indian Ocean?
The tsunami brought billions of litres of salt water onto the land. The salt in this water poisoned the land and killed huge amounts of plantlife.
How long after the quake did it take for the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawai'i to tell people that a tsunami was possible ?
50 minutes - by then the first wave had already hit parts of Sumatra
What are the three main economic activities (how people make money) in the Indian Ocean region?
Tourism, Farming and Fishing - industries that generally operate close to the coast
What 'S' is the process that happens deep underground at plate boundaries and often leads to earthquakes being formed
Subduction - one plate moving below another leads to rocks catching and pressure building up. When the pressure gets too much - CRACK!
What is the name of the town in Indonesia that was almost completely destroyed?
Banda Aceh
Why is the destruction of mangrove forests and coral reefs so significant?
Because both of these features protect land in the region by making the waves less powerful when they reach the coast.
Why did the Indonesia government order the burning of 25,000 dead bodies within the first 48 hours?
So that the spread of diseases was limited as much as possible.
What does LEDC stand for?
Less Economically Developed Countries - examples include India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia. These countries have poor levels of education, healthcare and emergency response.
How fast did the waves move in open water?
700km/h!
Which country experienced the most deaths?
How can you link the destruction of natural ecosystems to long term effects for people in the Indian Ocean region?
Lots of answers - main one being habitats destroyed means economic activities like fishing becomes a lot more difficult.
What was the single biggest response to the tsunami (in terms of cost)?
The new Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System - it cost $US400 million and has 25 seismic recording systems and 6 arrays of deep water buoys.