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| Why Did It Happen? Will It Happen Again? Scientists Reveal Surprising Cause of 2004 Tsunami |
| Posted
on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 09:46 AM |
The deadly wave that shook the world on December 26, 2004, caused the deaths of over 250,000 people. one of the greatest earthquakes ever measured – a 9.1 on the Richter scale – and a tsunami the size and scope of which has never been seen before caused the worst natural disaster in modern history. Could such an event happen again and if so, where will it strike? Stunning new images from the ocean floor reveal why it was so devastating – new evidence that will offer crucial planning strategies that might help guard against such massive destruction in the future.
As the first anniversary of the Asian tsunami approaches, Discovery Channel presents two new specials that reveal the cause of the disaster, what scientists have learned that might help to prepare for future tsunamis and how the region is recovering a year later with the premiere of Unstoppable Wave on Sun., Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. ET/9 p.m. PT and Tsunami: Facing the Wave on Mon., Dec. 26 at 7 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT. With such dramatic human loss, remarkably, few animals perished in the tsunami. A new Animal Planet special, Tsunami: Animal Instincts, premiering Mon., Dec. 12 at 9 p.m. ET/10 p.m. PT, explores animal intuition, how it protects these creatures from natural disasters and what we might learn from their behaviors.
Unstoppable Wave
Sun., Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. ET/9 p.m. PT on Discovery Channel
In an unprecedented effort to capture the impact of an underwater earthquake and in an attempt to understand what really caused the devastating 2004 Asian Tsunami, a crew of producers and internationally-renowned scientists – including Canadians David Mosher, the geophysicist in charge of seismic survey; and Kate Moran, lead oceanographer and co-director of the expedition – sent cameras deep into the abyss to analyze and photograph the evidence for the first time. Their goal was to develop an accurate warning system for when and where the next tsunami may hit. Among their significant discoveries: new geological evidence suggests that it was the seafloor uplift from the 9.1 magnitude Great Sumatra earthquake – and not a giant underwater landslide as previously thought – that caused the devastating tsunami.
This special chronicles a voyage of remarkable scientific discovery, 260 kilometres off the coast of Banda Aceh, Indonesia, as 24 geologists, geophysicists, oceanographers, biologists, computer modellers and tsunami experts – with the aid of seismic survey equipment and remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) – the team collects the data required to not only understand last year’s tsunami, but to develop a computer model that could be used to predict the size of future tsunamis elsewhere in the world and ultimately help save thousands of lives.
Almost five kilometres below the ocean surface, one ROV revealed evidence that the sea floor was pushed upwards during the earthquake. The size of the uplift far exceeded anything scientists had predicted – in some places the displacement measured over 12 metres. Scientists now confirm that this uplift caused the deadly tsunami – 1,200 kilometres of the fault line ruptured in just 500 seconds, causing a drastic uplift, raising the ocean above and triggering the deadly wave.
The expedition scientists have created a computer model capable of calculating the height and speed of future tsunamis, a powerful tool that will enable governments to improve natural coastal protection systems, plan for levels of destruction and prepare evacuation measures. Researchers have studied global fault lines and identified the south coastline of Sumatra and the northwest United States as the next most likely areas for a future tsunami strike. Sumatran authorities have identified areas that will be above the wave height and now conduct regular emergency evacuation exercises; authorities in Oregon and Washington have implemented early warning systems, identified evacuation routes and safe areas. It’s a start, but the expedition’s computer model shows that these plans are hopelessly inadequate – a 9.1 Richter scale earthquake would create a tsunami double the height for which the region was prepared and would affect over 500,000 people in just 15 minutes.
Tsunami: Facing the Wave
Mon., Dec. 26 at 7 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT on Discovery Channel
Hosted by Wei Chen, this one-hour special travels the globe to unlock the secrets of deadly tsunamis. one year later – what have scientists learned about these killer waves, and what new ways have they developed to warn and protect all those who live near the sea. How best to study the power of a tsunami? Scientists in Japan are reproducing tsunamis in a lab, testing its devastating force on everything from houses to humans. Also in Japan – one of the most seismic regions in the world – this special goes behind-the-scenes to look at the most sophisticated tsunami warning system in the world. Japanese scientists have also built a permanent fortification system on their shoreline – find out how this elaborate network of seawalls and floodgates works and if it will be enough to protect the island nation from a major natural disaster.
This special also explores why the Dec. 26, 2004, tsunami was so devastating. From eyewitness accounts to powerful 3D computer simulations, find out why this tsunami was able to kill 250,000 people and leave another million homeless in a matter of hours. Chen revisits the area and sees what is being done to revitalize the region. one of the biggest challenges for the countries ravaged by the Boxing Day tsunami is replacing the thousands of homes that were destroyed. The ideal solution would be constructing a low-cost house that could withstand a future tsunami – but is this possible? Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology think they have the answer. Find out the design and the science behind this revolutionary structure.
This special also visits the Yala National Park in Sri Lanka to find out why so few animals died during the tsunami then looks to the future as global hotspots for tsunamis are identified and protection preparations are strategized.
Tsunami: Facing the Wave is produced by Exploration Production Inc. (EPI) in association with Discovery Channel Canada.
Tsunami: Animal Instincts
Mon., Dec. 12 at 9 p.m. ET/10 p.m. PT on Animal Planet
Over 250,000 people were killed in the Tsunami that rocked the Indian Ocean in December 2004. While the number of casualties was staggering, very few animals were killed by the deadly wave. According to H.D. Ratnayake, deputy director of Sri Lanka’s wildlife department, of the 2,000 animals in an Indian sanctuary, only one was killed by the tsunami. In this compelling one-hour special, animal experts shed light onto how intuition protects animals from perilous natural disasters. Join animal behaviour expert Diana L. Guerrero as she traces the study of this phenomenon to Italy, Greece and Chile, circa 373 BC. Meanwhile, at sea, watch as biologist Mike Heithaus explores the biology and behaviours of sea creatures when disaster strikes. From dolphins to boars, find out how we can prevent serious fatalities at the hand of Mother Nature by following the instincts of the animals around us.
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