The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami
  • 1. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history, struck on December 26, 2004, following a massive undersea earthquake that registered a magnitude of 9.1 to 9.3 off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia. This incredible seismic event triggered a series of devastating tsunamis that affected the coasts of 14 countries bordering the Indian Ocean, including Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, and several others. Waves reaching up to 30 meters (100 feet) in height inundated coastal communities with terrifying speed, obliterating everything in their path and causing widespread destruction. The human cost was staggering; estimates suggest that over 230,000 people lost their lives, while millions more were displaced and left without homes or basic necessities. The aftermath of the tsunami profoundly impacted the affected nations, leading to an unprecedented international humanitarian response, which involved governments, NGOs, and local communities coming together to provide relief and recovery efforts. Additionally, the disaster raised awareness about tsunami preparedness and initiated significant changes in disaster management protocols, including the establishment of early warning systems to better protect coastal populations from future tsunamis.

    What date did the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami occur?
A) March 15, 2004
B) December 26, 2004
C) January 1, 2005
D) November 20, 2004
  • 2. What was the epicenter of the earthquake?
A) Off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia
B) In the Gulf of Thailand
C) In the Arabian Sea
D) Near Tokyo, Japan
  • 3. How high did some tsunami waves reach?
A) 5 meters
B) Up to 30 meters
C) 20 meters
D) 10 meters
  • 4. Approximately how many people died as a result of the tsunami?
A) 1 million
B) 50,000
C) 500,000
D) 230,000
  • 5. What natural phenomenon caused the tsunami?
A) Undersea earthquake
B) Landslide
C) Volcanic eruption
D) Tornado
  • 6. Which of these Indian states was affected by the tsunami?
A) Maharashtra
B) Tamil Nadu
C) Uttar Pradesh
D) Punjab
  • 7. Which international organization provided aid after the tsunami?
A) WTO
B) OPEC
C) NATO
D) United Nations
  • 8. What technology is used to detect tsunamis?
A) Drones
B) Seismic activity monitors
C) Tsunami warning buoys
D) Weather balloons
  • 9. Which ocean did the tsunami primarily affect?
A) Atlantic Ocean
B) Pacific Ocean
C) Indian Ocean
D) Arctic Ocean
  • 10. Which of these animals was noted to have acted strangely before the tsunami?
A) Cats
B) Birds
C) Dogs
D) Elephants
  • 11. What type of plate boundary was responsible for the earthquake?
A) Plate boundary is irrelevant
B) Transform boundary
C) Divergent boundary
D) Convergent boundary
  • 12. What factor contributed to the high loss of life in the 2004 tsunami?
A) Inaccurate weather forecasting
B) Insufficient rescue efforts
C) Lack of a tsunami warning system
D) Overpopulation of coastal cities
  • 13. Which country had the largest number of casualties?
A) Thailand
B) India
C) Indonesia
D) Sri Lanka
  • 14. What is the main cause of tsunamis?
A) Underwater earthquakes
B) Meteor impacts
C) Storm surges
D) Global warming
  • 15. In which sea did the tsunami travel towards after the earthquake?
A) Mediterranean Sea
B) Andaman Sea
C) Caribbean Sea
D) Red Sea
  • 16. What was a significant effect of the tsunami on coastal ecosystems?
A) Coral reef destruction
B) Rise in sea levels
C) Increased fish populations
D) Formation of new land
  • 17. Which famous movie depicted a family’s survival during the tsunami?
A) The Impossible
B) Cast Away
C) San Andreas
D) Titanic
  • 18. In which country did the tsunami lead to a large number of tourist fatalities?
A) Philippines
B) Australia
C) Malaysia
D) Thailand
  • 19. What was established in the wake of the tsunami to warn future events?
A) Tsunami Research Institute
B) Seismic Control Center
C) Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System
D) Global Weather Network
  • 20. What was the primary humanitarian response to the tsunami?
A) Disaster relief and aid
B) Long-term tourism promotion
C) Evacuation of cities
D) Military intervention
  • 21. Which humanitarian organization played a key role after the tsunami?
A) World Wildlife Fund
B) Red Cross
C) Greenpeace
D) Amnesty International
  • 22. After the tsunami, what economic impact affected fishing communities?
A) Destruction of fishing boats and harbors
B) Boost in agricultural production
C) Surge in tourist activities
D) Increase in fish prices
  • 23. How many countries were primarily affected by the tsunami?
A) 14
B) 5
C) 10
D) 20
  • 24. Which island nation was hit by a massive wave but had minimal casualties?
A) Seychelles
B) Maldives
C) Fiji
D) Bali
  • 25. What year did the catastrophic event lead to the development of tsunami education programs?
A) 2005
B) 2007
C) 2003
D) 2001
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