Tsunami and Earthquakes in Tsunami and Earthquakes in MaldivesMaldives

bybyZahidZahid

Department of MeteorologyDepartment of Meteorologyzahid@meteorology.gov.mvzahid@meteorology.gov.mv

www.met.gov.mvwww.met.gov.mvPhone: 3340907, Fax: 3315509Phone: 3340907, Fax: 3315509

TsunamiTsunami

Tsunami is a series of waves most commonly Tsunami is a series of waves most commonly caused by an earthquake beneath the sea floor.caused by an earthquake beneath the sea floor.

As we all know, a massive tsunami was generated As we all know, a massive tsunami was generated on Dec 26, 2004 following an earthquake of on Dec 26, 2004 following an earthquake of magnitude 9.0 in Sumatra.magnitude 9.0 in Sumatra.

This was the second largest tsunamigenic This was the second largest tsunamigenic earthquake recorded globally.earthquake recorded globally.

TsunamiTsunami

The Maldives was badly affected by Dec 26, 2004 The Maldives was badly affected by Dec 26, 2004 tsunami waves. tsunami waves.

Tsunami struck Maldives islands after about 3 hours Tsunami struck Maldives islands after about 3 hours of its occurrence. of its occurrence.

Tidal waves ranging from 1.2 to 4.2m were reported Tidal waves ranging from 1.2 to 4.2m were reported from all parts of the country. from all parts of the country.

Thirty nine islands were significantly damaged and Thirty nine islands were significantly damaged and nearly a third of Maldives’ population was severely nearly a third of Maldives’ population was severely affected. affected.

About 29,580 residents were displaced and around About 29,580 residents were displaced and around 12,000 remained homeless. 12,000 remained homeless.

PICsPICs

December 2004 Sumathra Earthquake and December 2004 Sumathra Earthquake and the Effect of Tsunami to the Maldives.the Effect of Tsunami to the Maldives.

December 2004 Sumathra Earthquake and December 2004 Sumathra Earthquake and the Effect of Tsunami to the Maldives.the Effect of Tsunami to the Maldives.

TsunamiTsunami In general, due to the presence of large coral reefs In general, due to the presence of large coral reefs

around the islands, most of the islands are around the islands, most of the islands are protected from wave impact. protected from wave impact.

The geographic locations of certain group of The geographic locations of certain group of islands are such that they are protected from islands are such that they are protected from tsunami waves. tsunami waves.

The group of islands lying along the eastern side The group of islands lying along the eastern side of Maldives, are most prone to tsunami waves of Maldives, are most prone to tsunami waves (zone 4-5), as 95 % of tsunamis that affected (zone 4-5), as 95 % of tsunamis that affected Maldives generated from eastern source zone - Maldives generated from eastern source zone - three segments of Sumatra subduction zone three segments of Sumatra subduction zone

EarthquakeEarthquake

Earthquake is a shaking of the ground caused by Earthquake is a shaking of the ground caused by the sudden dislocation of material within the the sudden dislocation of material within the earth's outer layer, or crust. earth's outer layer, or crust.

When forces pushing on a mass of rock overcome When forces pushing on a mass of rock overcome the friction holding the rock in place and blocks of the friction holding the rock in place and blocks of rock slip against each other an earthquake may rock slip against each other an earthquake may occur. occur.

Some earthquakes are so slight, and some occur Some earthquakes are so slight, and some occur in such remote areas, that they are barely felt. in such remote areas, that they are barely felt.

Others are so violent that they cause extensive Others are so violent that they cause extensive damage damage

Three major events of more than 7.0 Three major events of more than 7.0 magnitude earthquake had struck around magnitude earthquake had struck around the Maldivesthe Maldives

For example on 15For example on 15thth July, 2003, an July, 2003, an earthquake with magnitude 7.6 had earthquake with magnitude 7.6 had occurred in Carlsberg Ridge (444km from occurred in Carlsberg Ridge (444km from most southern atoll-Addu) and had most southern atoll-Addu) and had damaged some properties in most southern damaged some properties in most southern islands of the Maldives.islands of the Maldives.

EarthquakeEarthquake

Damage caused by 2003 Damage caused by 2003 EarthquakeEarthquake

Figure shows historical events of Figure shows historical events of Earthquake around Maldives.Earthquake around Maldives.

EarthquakeEarthquake

The likelihood of earthquakes with The likelihood of earthquakes with magnitude of 5 and above in Maldives is magnitude of 5 and above in Maldives is limited to only the southern parts of the limited to only the southern parts of the country, namely Seenu, Gnaviyani, Gaafu country, namely Seenu, Gnaviyani, Gaafu Alifu and Gaafu Dhaalu atolls. Alifu and Gaafu Dhaalu atolls.

Since earthquakes of this scale are known Since earthquakes of this scale are known to cause damage to life and property, the to cause damage to life and property, the population of these atolls are at high risk. population of these atolls are at high risk.

Maldives seismic hazard zones

Earthquake prone areas in Earthquake prone areas in MaldivesMaldives

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