It was 20 years ago yesterday, Boxing Day, that a massive tsunami devasted communities along the surrounding coasts of the Indian Ocean, killing an estimated 227,898 people in 14 countries.
The countries whose coastal areas were affected included India, Indonesia, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sumatra, and Thailand. The wave even reached the east coast of Africa.
The tsunami and its aftermath were responsible for immense destruction and loss of life on the rim of the Indian Ocean.
Factfile
On 26 December 2004, at 07:58:53 local time, a major earthquake, measuring a massive 9.2–9.3 on the Richter scale, struck with an epicentre off the west coast of Aceh in northern Sumatra, Indonesia.
The undersea earthquake was caused by a rupture along the fault between the Burma plate and the Indian plate.
The direct results of this huge tsunami with waves up to 30 m (100 ft) high, caused major disruptions to living conditions and commerce in coastal provinces of surrounding countries.
It is the deadliest natural disaster of the 21st century, one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history, and the worst tsunami disaster in history.
It is also the worst natural disaster in the history of Indonesia, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand. It was the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in Asia, the most powerful earthquake in the 21st century, and at least the third most powerful earthquake ever recorded in the world since modern seismography began in 1900.
It had the longest fault rupture ever observed, between 1,200 km and 1,300 km and had the longest duration of faulting ever observed, at least ten minutes. It caused the planet to vibrate as much as 10 mm (0.4 in), and also remotely triggered earthquakes as far away as Alaska.
Its epicentre was between Simeulue and mainland Sumatra. The plight of the affected people and countries prompted a worldwide humanitarian response, with donations totalling more than US$14 billion.
20 years on
The recovery of these communities has been amazing. Obviously, the shock and grief experienced two decades ago is still ever present in the hearts and minds of survivors and the bereaved.
On this 20th anniversary the media has “gone to town”, interviewing survivors, including locals and foreigners who were there on holiday, and illustrating how they have processed what happened and how they have coped with the loss of loved ones. Many have involved themselves in charity work and continue to support the communities affected.
“The Impossible” (feature film)
Eight years after the tragedy a remarkable film was released by Warner Bros. The English language-Spanish collaboration “Lo Imposible” was directed by Juan Antonio García Bayona and written by Sergio Gutiérrez Sánchez two Spanish film-makers in their 40s.
The film featured international actors, including Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, Tom Holland, Geraldine Chaplin, Marta Etura, Sönke Möhring, Douglas Johansson and Emilio Riccardi.
The film was well-received by critics and received numerous nominations and awards, including Oscars, Golden Globes and from the Screen Actors Guild.
Naomi Watts [Aventura y Naturaleza] [Photo: 20Minutos] The cast at an Award Ceremony [El Diario]
You can watch the entire film in English here: The impossible full movie 1080 Blueray print
© The Culture Vulture/The History Man
Links:
The Impossible (2012 film) - Wikipedia
The impossible full movie 1080 Blueray print
Photos:
20Minutos, Aventura y Naturaleza, BBC News, El Diario, Muy Interesante, Wikipedia, WordPress
Acknowledgements:
Wikipedia, www.bing.com, www.britannica.com, www.premiososcar.net
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