Abstract
The present study is based on the post tsunami survey conducted in January 2005 along the south west coast of India. This paper illustrates the variation of tsunami intensity along the coasts of Kanyakumari district and the consequent morphological changes occurred in the coastal area during tsunami. 33 coastal habitations of Kanyakumari district faced the wrath of tsunami waves. We have attempted to study shoreline modifications using beach profile survey, tsunami sand deposits, inundation distance, run up elevation and tsunami height. The coastal environment changes through online survey on human losses, housing and shelter, fisheries, agriculture and damages of infrastructure were studied in the study area. The major destructions identified in this area were 3m-4m sea water rise leading to erosion activities and changes in the beach slope variation. Many gentle slope regions have been transformed into steeply sloped regions. This unknown killer wave causes causalities and mass destruction in the coastal environment due to unaware of tsunami. The shallow waters of bays and estuaries have initiated the seizing. Maximum wave activity observed in the tsunami area closely to that of the bay, low lying areas etc. Initial relief by way of food, clothing, shelter and first-aid medical help has reached most of the affected communities by NGO’s and Government agencies were discussed. The paper also explained the innovative comprehensive long-term rehabilitation program aimed to go beyond basic restoration and rather upgrade standard of living to ensure sustained well-being and prosperity of the tsunami affected people.
Highlights
Tsunamis are ocean waves generated by large and abrupt perturbations of the ocean floor caused by the sudden offset of a fault, volcanic eruptions, large sub-aerial or submarine landslides, or meteor impacts
This paper provides details on the factors like tsunami height, inundation distance in the backshore, sand deposits, run up elevation, economic strategic needs assessment, an attempt has been made to bring out the environmental impacts due to the tsunami from Kanyakumari to Thengapattanam, South west coast of India
The Post-Tsunami Survey Field Guide published in the web site of International Tsunami Information Centre (ITIC) was taken as a guide in the field trip
Summary
Tsunamis are ocean (or sea) waves generated by large and abrupt perturbations of the ocean (or sea) floor (or surface) caused by the sudden offset of a fault, volcanic eruptions, large sub-aerial or submarine landslides, or meteor impacts. Tsunamis can travel thousands of kilometers away from their source, causing death and destruction over large areas far from the earthquake epicenter. Though the Indian subcontinent is in a seismically active region, tsunamis along the coastline of India have been rare, but not unprecedented. The coasts of Indian landmass have experienced at least four attacks of tsunamis in the last 200 years. Even though tsunami is a common phenomenon in the Pacific region, some destructive tsunamis have occurred in the Indian and Atlantic Oceans (Altinok 2000). Oceanic waves caused by the (27th August) 1883 Krakatoa volcanic explosion in Indonesia, was the earliest record of tsunami attack in India (Murty and Bapat 1999)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
