Asia Remembers 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami
Millions Mourn in Remembrance of the Worst Tsunami in Human History
Dec 26, 2008
Perhaps the greatest human tragedy in living memory, and certainly the most destructive natural disaster in recent times, the boxing day tsunami of 2004 still lives large in the hearts and minds of people living in the affected areas. The waves, which are estimated to have released the power of 23 000 atom bombs like that which hit Hiroshima, killed approximately 220 000 people and affected 11 countries, reaching as far as the African coastline. Today was the 4th anniversary of this tragic event and many of the affected regions are still yet to see the stability these people had previously.
How the Tsunami Came to Be
The Boxing Day Tsunami was a direct result of the Indian Ocean Earthquake which occurred at around one o'clock in the morning UTC. This earthquake occurred due to a crashing of tectonic plates (more specifically the Burma and India plates) which led to a rupture in the Earth's crust, sending shock waves through the ocean. The Earthquake was measured at a magnitude between 9.1 and 9.3 (the second highest magnitude ever recorded on a seismograph according to the United States Geological Survey) and its epicenter was placed off the West coast of the IndonesianIsland of Sumatra. The ensuing shock waves which were a result of the earthquake caused monumental amounts of water to be displaced and begin moving outwards from the epicenter and across the IndianSea. In deep water the waves are barely noticeable and move at speeds equivalent to that of a jet airliner. However, once these hit shallower waters closer to land the waves could only slow down and become taller. It is estimated that waves of up to 10m high resulted from the earthquake and went crashing into surrounding South Asian Countries.
The Worst Tsunami in Human History?
Many have already called the Indian Ocean tsunami the worst of its kind ever to be seen, and indeed the death toll hovers at around ten times of any other noteworthy tsunamis which have occurred in the last 1000 years. The second highest death toll from a tsunami recorded occurred as a result of the eruption of Krakatoa in Indonesia in August, 1883. The tsunami which resulted from the eruption caused the death of approximately 36 000 people throughout Southern Asia, and whilst this number is enormous, it is simply incomparable to the number of lives lost in the Indian Ocean Tsunami.
The number of deaths which have arisen from the disaster is generally approximated as between 220 000 and 280 000 people, with many believing the true toll to be well over 300 000. The number of people displaced by the event cannot be placed but is known to be well into the millions with many of these people homeless or living in camps even now. The tsunami also did huge damage to a number of countries including: Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand, the Maldives, Andaman, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania, Bangladesh and Myanmar. All these figures make the Boxing Day tsunami the most formidable and destructive in human history.
What Has Been Done Four Years On?
Over 7 billion U.S. Dollars has been provided as humanitarian aid for those affected by the tsunami and as a result many of these regions have recovered sufficiently to provide for their inhabitants. However, there remains much to be done. In Sri Lanka the Tamil Tigers (a guerilla organization) have prevented much of the necessary aid being conveyed to affected people and throughout Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand fishing villages have been destroyed beyond repair. The occupants of these villages (or what remained of them) simply have nowhere to go and nothing to put to their name. As shown today by the flood of tears and prayers during memorial proceedings across Asia, people are still recovering from the event and much more needs to be done if they are to be helped.
 |
