Tsunami in the Indian Ocean in 2004. Earthquake in the Indian Ocean in 2004

Now Thailand is associated worldwide not only with beautiful and popular resorts, where people from different countries hurry to get to rest, but also with the terrible tragedy that occurred here at the beginning of the XXI century. This state was largely affected by the natural disaster. The earthquake that caused the tsunami in the Indian Ocean in 2004 took about 8,500 human lives in Thailand alone. In general, this natural cataclysm was devastating for 18 countries around the world.

Earth tremors

On the morning of December 26, there was a powerful earthquake near the north-western coast of Sumatra island (Indonesia). Its magnitude, as the scientists later estimated, was at least 9 points. It was among the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded in the history of observations.

The proof of its strength can be the fact that the Burmese and Indian tectonic plates, which are connected exactly at the location of the island of Sumatra, have moved a great distance. Approximately 1200 km of the breed shifted almost overnight at 15 m, and with it a whole series of islands located near this region. It was the shift of the tectonic plates that set in motion huge volumes of water, which turned into the largest tsunami in the Indian Ocean in 2004.

Element of surprise

In a tragic accident, this popular and popular tourist island of Phuket was completely unprotected before the impact of the elements. The fact is that the tremors, although they occurred near the coast, but neither the Thais nor the tourists almost felt them. And those who did feel something did not attach any importance to this.

Happening almost immediately after the tsunami earthquake in the Indian Ocean in 2004 was a complete surprise. Huge waves approached the western shores of Thailand so quickly that other countries have not yet managed to receive signals about such a serious danger. The authorities of this state have never faced the tsunami of such power before. Therefore, it is not surprising that no defense system against the elements simply did not exist. People absolutely did not know what to do in such a situation.

Shortly before the tragedy

Nobody expected that the occurrence of such a large-scale natural disaster as the tsunami in the Indian Ocean is possible. December 2004 was successful. Especially the end of the month, as foreign tourists usually come here who want to celebrate the New Year in an exotic country. But the expectation of the holiday for many people turned out to be a nightmare.

That morning was fine weather, and everyone was busy with their own affairs. Thais were going to work, and tourists rested in cozy hotel rooms or on the beach. And it seemed that nothing bodes ill. But then suddenly an extraordinary sight appeared before the eyes of the people. It was a truly colossal ebb. At the same time, the water rolled away from the shore in a flash, leaving a trace of seashells, fish and other marine life.

Local residents rejoiced at this easy catch, and tourists tried to collect free souvenirs. Some decided to just look at this unusual phenomenon of nature, so many of them took with them cameras and cameras.

Paradise, turned into hell

At that moment, no one could foresee that the most terrible natural disaster was approaching them . The 2004 tsunami rolled to the shore in the form of ordinary waves, which in shallow water began to rapidly turn into huge shafts, reaching 20 m in height. It happened so quickly that there was no time to save. People tried to escape from the elements, but, overtaken by a wall of water, just disappeared into it.

Most of the victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 in Thailand fell precisely on those who were near the shore. Of the 8.5 thousand people, 5.4 thousand are tourists who came here from more than 40 countries. The strength of the tsunami was so huge that the waves left deep into the land for several hundred meters, and in some places even a distance of up to 2 km.

Light houses were swept away like cards. Corps of capital hotels have survived, but the windows in them instantly flew, and the people who were on the lower floors, there was practically no chance to survive. When the wave retreated, the earth was uncovered, everywhere covered with bodies of people, torn from the roots by trees and flattened iron structures.

Needless to say, those few who were lucky enough to survive the first impact of the elements were in a state of shock that did not allow them to fully comprehend what was happening and leave the dangerous place. But this did not end there. The wave returned 2 more times.

Security

After the earthquake in the Indian Ocean in 2004 caused an unprecedented tsunami and killed hundreds of thousands of human lives, many people still do not think about rest in Thailand. And in vain! Advertising brochures that offer tourists a holiday on the beautiful beaches of the Thai coast, among other things, promise peace and security. And I must say that they are very close to the truth. The fact is that the tourist season here takes place only in the dry season, when there is practically no rain. Therefore, the risk of floods is reduced to almost zero.

As for the volcanoes, there are only two of them, and they are considered to be asleep. This means that in history there is not documented a single fact that indicates their eruptions. Earthquakes in these places are also unlikely, because Thailand is located in the seismically quiet region of our planet.

Tsunami

As is known, underwater earthquakes occur from time to time at the bottom of the oceans. One of them provoked huge tsunami waves in the Indian Ocean in 2004, which hit the west coast of Thailand. But this by no means means that this will happen too often.

The likelihood of a tsunami in the Thai shores is negligible. Judge for yourself: the northern part of the country is protected by the continent of Eurasia, from the south it borders on Malaysia, and the eastern one is covered by the Indochina peninsula. Remains the west coast. Only from this side can come the danger of a tsunami. When the next earthquake happens it is almost impossible to determine, but it can be said with certainty that this will happen very soon.

Notification

After the earthquake in the Indian Ocean in 2004 caused the emergence of a powerful tsunami, Thailand joined the International Deepwater System. It was created with the purpose of early detection and warning in cases of approaching the elements. The sensors of the system are now installed along the west coast of Thailand. Thanks to them, locals and tourists will be warned about the approach of the tsunami and will be able to leave dangerous areas on time.

The system provides for several languages, this is due to the fact that foreigners have returned to Thailand. As you know, the tourist business in this country is almost the most important source of infusion of currency into the national economy. That is why all reserves were thrown on the rapid overcoming of the destructive consequences of the tsunami in the Indian Ocean in 2004.

10 years later

But this tragedy affected not only Thailand. A huge wave covered the coast of Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia and another 14 countries that make up the Indian Ocean Ring. The scientists calculated that the total power of the elements exceeded the energy of all military shells that exploded during the entire Second World War, plus two atomic bombs dropped on the Japanese islands - that is the power of the tsunami in the Indian Ocean. Ten years later, the exact number of victims was not established. Too many bodies carried giant waves with them. The UN unveiled a figure of 230 thousand people, but we will never know the truth. The scale of the destruction is colossal: 1.6 million people lost their homes and losses exceeded the $ 15 billion mark.