Boxing day earthquake 2004

• The earthquake and tsunami occurred on the 26th of December 2004 in Southwest of Sumatra, Indonesia
• The earthquake was of a 9.3 magnitude
• Secondary hazard

  • Tsunami
  • Landslides
• primary impacts

  • Up to 300,000 people died, thousands of bodies have never been recovered
  • Infrastructure was destroyed, for example Andam and Nicobar Islands were all cut off
  • Up to 800 m in land of vegetation and top soil were removed
• Secondary impacts

  • Widespread homelessness, 500000 people in refugee camps in Aceh province
  • Economies were devastated, including fishing, agriculture and tourist sector
  • Negative multiplier effects weakened economies further
• Short-term responses

  • massive international relief efforts were established that involves more than 160 aid organisations
  • Foreign military troops provided assistance. For example, the Australian Air Force improved air traffic at Banda Aceh airport, Indonesian
• long term response: Preparation

  • Education on tsunami awarness began in schools
  • practise drills and evacuation plans were established
• long term response: Mitigation

  • Long- Scale programmes or reconstruction were implemented
  • Tsunami warning Systems for the Indian ocean