Tsunami

1. Tsunami By Matthew LoPresti

2. Formation of a Tsunami • A tsunami is a series of waves caused by an underwater earthquake, landslide, volcanic eruption, or meteorite impact. • Tsunamis are formed when two plates underneath the ocean rub against each other and create a giant wave. • Once a tsunami gets closer to the coast, it slows down. The top of the wave is much faster than the bottom.

3. Tsunamis usually occur each year, but they are so small that they might go unnoticed. • Major tsunamis usually occur once every 10 years. • About 59% of the world’s tsunamis have occurred in the Pacific Ocean, 25% in the Mediterranean Sea, 12% in the Atlantic Ocean and 4% in the Indian Ocean. • Since 1900, most tsunamis have been generated in Japan, Peru, Chile, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

4. On December 26, 2004 the greatest earthquake in 40 years occurred about 100 miles off the coast of Sumatra Island in Indonesia. • The earthquake generated a destructive tsunami that hit the coastline of 11 countries bordering the Indian Ocean. • The tsunami had the greatest impact in Indonesia, Thailand, India, Shri-Lanka, Malaysia, Myanmar, Maldives and Somalia.

5. The tsunami killed more than 283,000 people. • More than 1.5 million people were left homeless around the region. • The people that survived were left without families, homes, and food.

6. Many of the beachfront hotels and other structures were destroyed by the waves. • Electricity and phone lines were cut in most locations. • Some smaller islands were destroyed and the island of Trinket was split in half. • Other islands were abandoned, because all of the buildings were destroyed and the water supply was contaminated by the ocean water.

7. In Somalia, 1,180 homes and 2,400 boats were destroyed. • Indonesia had 110 bridges, five seaports and two airports were damaged. • These areas are currently being rebuilt, but the recovery is slow. • The land had to be cleared of debris and the roads had to be rebuilt. • Many areas had to be remapped, because of the change in landscape and loss of records. They could not rebuild their homes before this was done.

8. If a warning system existed in the areas surrounding the Indian Ocean, there would have been plenty of time to warn most areas after the earthquake. • Sensors could have given advance warning of any disturbances that would produce huge waves on shore. • The shorelines could have loudspeakers and siren systems warning people of an advancing tsunami. • Military and police could be trained to evacuate people in the case of severe weather warnings. • Building a center that would provide oceanographic data and closely watch the earthquakes and tremors from all the countries surrounding the Indian Ocean. • Making the coastline safer, by planting more mangrove forests and coconut trees.

9. In wake of the disaster, Australia, India, Japan, and the United States formed aid efforts to streamline immediate assistance. • People were very pleased that other nations helped those that were affected by the tsunami disaster of 2004. This was one of the most fatal tsunami disasters ever recorded. • Red Cross continued to be at the forefront of operations. By May 2009, the British Red Cross completed its work helping people recover from the devastating tsunami in Indonesia, Maldives and Sri Lanka.

10. Petra Nemcova – this super model survived the tsunami. Simon Atlee - this fashion photographer did not survive the tsunami. He was swept away by the destructive waves and was not seen again. Nate Berkus – this famous interior decorator was carried away by the tsunami, after it ripped off the roof of his hut in Sri Lanka. Fortunately, he did survive, but his partner did not. Famous People Affected by the Tsunami

11. Pictures of Tsunamis