Tsunami

[NotLKH]

The thing about third world countries is that action is taken only after something major has happened. So, now that the tsunami is over, they'll be setting up a warning system for tsunamis. Half heartedly because they either won't be expecting it to happen again or they'll be hoping it doesn't happen again

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapc....ap/index.html

"Asian officials conceded Monday that they failed to issue broad public warnings immediately after a massive undersea earthquake in Indonesia, which could have saved countless lives from the subsequent giant waves "

""The department had up to an hour to announce the emergency message and evacuate people but they failed to do so," Thammasarote was quoted as saying in The Bangkok Post newspaper. "It is true that an earthquake is unpredictable but a tsunami, which occurs after an earthquake, is predictable." "

[OrdinaryGuy]

I just don't get it, a huge earth quake occurs under the sea and no one could figure out it would cause a tsunami?

[szlamany]

I just don't get it, a huge earth quake occurs under the sea and no one could figure out it would cause a tsunami?

The sea floor itself shifted over 30 meters - 100 feet.

That movement of landmass caused the tsunami.

Earthquakes do not cause tsunami's by default. Not all earthquakes are at the surface - some, most actually, occur deep inside the earth.

Tsunami's only damage land when the coast leading up to the land slowly gets more shallow. That's why some small island atolls took no damage - they rise from the sea floor rapidly, so the pushing tsunami wave does not crest.

[Shaggy Hiker]

When an earthquake happens under the ocean, it is generally safer to assume a tsumai is on its way rather than going to the beach for a look.

[Dillinger4]

Well at least India doesn't have to deal with volcanic pyroclastic flows. But then again maybe they would be better off since there is usually fair warning as to when they are comming.

[wossname]

I heard a preposterous remark from a scientits at the seismic labs the other day:

"We knew about the impending tsunami but we had no way to warn people, there are no oficial channels to do that."

What a load of old bollocks. Have you not heard of the police, coastguard, government. Come on! You just sat back with a bowl of popcorn and waited for the fun. *******s.

[BodwadUK]

Its always the case with waves you cant tell how far away they are and thus how big they are. The problem is you can see along way out to sea and by the time you realise the extent it doesnt leave much time. This was never expected and nobody is at fault. Deal with it