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The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and its Impact on Coastal Regions

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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1

On ______ 26, 2004, a powerful earthquake triggered tsunamis that hit the coasts surrounding the ______ ______.

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December Indian Ocean

2

The resort town of ______ ______ in Thailand's Phang Nga Province was heavily damaged by the 2004 tsunamis.

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Khao Lak

3

Eyewitnesses recorded the ocean's retreat and the massive waves that followed, causing significant destruction in coastal areas.

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Eyewitnesses

4

In Khao Lak, the tsunamis resulted in approximately ______ fatalities.

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5,000

5

Tsunami impact on Krabi Province

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Ao Nang in Krabi saw boats, debris swept away by tsunami.

6

Tsunami effect on Phuket's western beaches

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Patong Beach damaged, initial minor flooding followed by destructive waves.

7

Phuket's east coast wave heights

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East coast experienced lower wave heights, approximately 2 meters.

8

Approximately two hours following the earthquake, the tsunami struck the ______ and ______ coasts of India.

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southeastern southwestern

9

The city of ______ and ______ Beach in Chennai were notably affected by the tsunami.

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Karaikal Marina

10

The tsunami caused the greatest number of fatalities in the ______ panchayat, located in the ______ district of Kerala.

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Alappad Kollam

11

Some regions experienced less severe tsunami impacts due to ______ and the natural layout of the land.

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existing seawalls

12

Location of Andaman and Nicobar relative to earthquake epicenter

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Situated near epicenter, first hit by tsunami.

13

Tsunami effect on South Andaman Island

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Three large waves, extensive flooding, and destruction.

14

Geographic influence on tsunami impact

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Natural landscapes shielded some areas, resulting in lower wave heights.

15

The ______ experienced the tsunami's force despite being about 2,500 kilometers away from the earthquake's center.

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Maldives

16

The tsunami's impact on the Maldives was lessened because it occurred during ______.

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low tide

17

Research on the ______ of coral atolls to tsunamis has been informed by this event in the Maldives.

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resilience

18

The Maldives' ______ and deep oceanic channels influenced the tsunami's strength.

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coral atolls

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The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami: Devastation in Phang Nga, Thailand

On December 26, 2004, a massive undersea earthquake off the coast of Sumatra generated a series of devastating tsunamis that affected the Indian Ocean's rim countries. Phang Nga Province in Thailand, particularly the resort town of Khao Lak, was among the most severely impacted. The tsunami, captured by eyewitnesses, displayed the ocean's dramatic withdrawal and subsequent monstrous waves that engulfed coastal areas. In Khao Lak, the death toll was tragically high, with around 5,000 lives lost. The region's geography, including its coral reefs and shallow seabed, intensified the tsunami's force, leading to a record run-up height of 19.6 meters on Ko Phra Thong Island, the highest outside of Sumatra.
Post-tsunami coastal landscape with partially uprooted palm tree, debris on wet sand, damaged boat and calm sea under clear sky.

Widespread Destruction in Krabi and Phuket, Thailand

The tsunami's wrath extended to Krabi Province, where the resort town of Ao Nang saw boats and debris swept away by the forceful waves. Phuket's western beaches, including the bustling Patong Beach, experienced significant damage as the tsunami surged ashore. Initially, the waves caused minor flooding, but they soon returned with much greater force, leading to extensive destruction and fatalities. 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. The Phi Phi Islands were also hard hit, with wave heights reaching 5.8 meters in the north bay of Phi Phi Don Island.

Tsunami Impact on India's Coastal Regions

India's southeastern and southwestern shores felt the tsunami's impact approximately two hours after the earthquake. Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh were among the worst-hit states, with some areas recording tsunami run-up heights of up to 5 meters. Chennai's Marina Beach and the city of Karaikal were particularly affected. In Kerala, the tsunami's effects were most pronounced in the southern districts, with the highest number of casualties in the Alappad panchayat of Kollam district. 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 Andaman and Nicobar Islands' Proximity to the Epicenter

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, situated near the epicenter of the earthquake, were among the first to be hit by the tsunami. Reports from South Andaman Island indicated that at least three large waves caused 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. The geography of these islands played a role in the varying impact of the tsunami, with some areas shielded by their natural landscape, resulting in lower wave heights.

The Maldives and the Tsunami's Effects on Coral Atolls

Despite being approximately 2,500 kilometers from the earthquake's epicenter, the Maldives experienced the tsunami's destructive power. The archipelago's coral atolls and deep oceanic channels influenced the tsunami's behavior, somewhat reducing its strength. The highest recorded wave in the Maldives reached 4 meters, with the most extensive flooding occurring on Male Island in the North Male Atoll. The timing of the tsunami's arrival during low tide also played a role in mitigating its impact. This event has since provided valuable insights into the resilience of coral atolls to tsunami events and has informed ongoing research in marine geology and disaster preparedness.