The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami brought unprecedented destruction to coastal regions like Phang Nga, Krabi, and Phuket in Thailand, as well as India's southeastern shores and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Maldives' coral atolls also faced the tsunami's wrath. The event highlighted the vulnerability of these areas to natural disasters and underscored the importance of disaster preparedness and the resilience of certain geographical features.
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The massive undersea earthquake off the coast of Sumatra generated a series of devastating tsunamis that affected the Indian Ocean's rim countries, particularly Phang Nga Province in Thailand
The death toll in Khao Lak was tragically high, with around 5,000 lives lost, and the tsunami's force led to a record run-up height of 19.6 meters on Ko Phra Thong Island, the highest outside of Sumatra
The region's geography, including its coral reefs and shallow seabed, intensified the tsunami's force, leading to widespread destruction in Krabi and Phuket, Thailand
The tsunami's surge ashore caused extensive destruction and fatalities in Phuket's western beaches, including the bustling Patong Beach, and swept away boats and debris in Krabi Province's resort town of Ao Nang
Some coastal areas benefited from elevated roads that offered some protection, while the east coast of Phuket saw lower wave heights of around 2 meters, and the Phi Phi Islands experienced wave heights of up to 5.8 meters in the north bay of Phi Phi Don Island
The tsunami caused significant damage to popular tourist destinations in Krabi and Phuket, highlighting the need for disaster preparedness in these areas
Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh were among the worst-hit states, with some areas recording tsunami run-up heights of up to 5 meters, and the tsunami's effects were most pronounced in the southern districts of Kerala
Chennai's Marina Beach and the city of Karaikal were particularly affected, and the extent of the tsunami's reach and its damage varied, with certain regions experiencing less severe effects due to existing seawalls and natural topographical features
The geography of India's coastal regions played a significant role in mitigating the tsunami's impact, with some areas being shielded by their natural landscape, resulting in lower wave heights
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, situated near the epicenter of the earthquake, were among the first to be hit by the tsunami, with reports indicating extensive flooding and destruction
The Nicobar Islands, particularly Little Andaman, faced waves as high as 12 meters, leading to catastrophic damage and significant loss of life, while South Andaman Island experienced at least three large waves causing extensive flooding
The geography of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands played a role in the varying impact of the tsunami, with some areas being shielded by their natural landscape, resulting in lower wave heights
Despite being approximately 2,500 kilometers from the earthquake's epicenter, the Maldives experienced the tsunami's destructive power, with the highest recorded wave reaching 4 meters
The archipelago's coral atolls and deep oceanic channels influenced the tsunami's behavior, somewhat reducing its strength and mitigating its impact
The timing of the tsunami's arrival during low tide also played a role in mitigating its impact, with the most extensive flooding occurring on Male Island in the North Male Atoll
00
On ______ 26, 2004, a powerful earthquake triggered tsunamis that hit the coasts surrounding the ______ ______.
December
Indian
Ocean
01
The resort town of ______ ______ in Thailand's Phang Nga Province was heavily damaged by the 2004 tsunamis.
Khao
Lak
02
Eyewitnesses recorded the ocean's retreat and the massive waves that followed, causing significant destruction in coastal areas.
Eyewitnesses
