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INDIAN OCEAN TSUNAMI - ENVIRONMENTAL AND
SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS IN MALAYSIA
Ben Horton1, Michael Bird2, Susan Cowie2, Jin
Eong3 , Andrea Hawkes1 Aileen Tan Shaw Hwai3 ,
Gong Wooi Khoon3 , Colin Macgregor2, Teh Tiong
Sa4 Zulfigar Yasin3 1 University of
Pennsylvania, USA (email bphorton_at_sas.upenn.edu)
2 University of St Andrews, UK 3Universiti
Sains Malaysia 4Nayang Technological University,
Singapore
1. Introduction In May and June 2005 a
multinational, interdisciplinary team of
scientists and social scientists used a suite of
research methods drawn from both the natural and
social sciences to elucidate the immediate pre-
and post-tsunami trajectory of events and impacts
associated with the 2004 tsunami catastrophe in
the Indian Ocean. The research was of severe
urgency with regard to the unique, available,
accessible, but perishable physical and social
data, which was being rapidly lost due to
post-depositional change, fading memories of the
tsunami and post-tsunami reconstruction.
3. To conduct interviews to determine the impact
of the tsunami on human actions, public services,
casualties and injuries, emergency management
agencies and the degree of effectiveness of the
institutional response, informal communication
networks and cultural practices
Plate 3 Interview with individuals impacted by
the 2004 Tsunami, Tanjung Tokong, Penang
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4. To assess the implications of the identified
environmental changes for local livelihood status
5. Review the understanding of local authorities
and populations and how they are responding to
the challenges and, possibly, opportunities
offered by catastrophic environmental change.
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Plate 1 (a) Langkawi, the second tsunami wave
approaching Kuala Teriang (26/12/2004, 12.45pm)
(b c) Tanjung Tokong, Penang, the second wave
hitting terrace elevated 2.5m above general
ground level (26/12/2004, 1.03pm)
2. Study areas We selected specific sites with
different physiographic conditions and varying
nature and scale of social and physical impacts
from the 2004 tsunami, along the west coast of
the Malaysia. This site selection was informed by
the need to develop an integrated social science
survey which covers the range of populations and
activities with which we are interested (tourism,
local populations, aquaculture activities and
industry (Fig. 1). We also recognize that major
tsunamis significantly impact many areas beyond
those that are catastrophically affected. The
responses and needs in these areas may be
different, but understanding what happened and
why is no less important
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Plate 4 Kuala Teriang, Langkawi (a) river still
full of retreating tsunami waters, with the
bridge damaged (26/12/2004, 1.43pm) and (b)
construction and new bridge (19/5/2005, 12.03pm)
Plate 5 Photo at Tanjung Tokong, Penang (a)
fishing boat in the middle of the road
(26/12/2004, unknown time) and (b) main road
(14/5/2005, 12.11pm) and Plate 6 Kuala Sungai
Buring, Penang of the fishermens shelter (a)
with a boat in a tree (26/12/2004, unknown time)
and (b) rebuilt fishermens shelter (14/5/2005,
9.43am)
3. Research Objectives 1. To make measurements
of (a) land elevation, 2004 tsunami flow depth,
number and direction, and (b) sediment deposit
character and thickness, from field sites along
west coast of Malaysia
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6. To construct and interpret trajectories of
environmental change in the area over the recent
past (annual, decadal, century timescales). This
will encompass the analysis of the stratigraphic
sequences complemented by qualitative techniques
to access local peoples knowledge of
environmental change
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Plate 2 (a b) Measuring land elevation and
tsunami flow depth (b) core of tsunami deposit,
Sungai Burung, Penang
2. Obtain further information on tsunami
characteristics and precursor warning signs
(ocean run-out numbers and spacing of waves
animal behaviors sound) from eye witness
interviews
Funding for the research came from NSFs Human
and Social Dynamics priority area, the Network
for Earthquake Engineering Simulation Program in
the Engineering Directorate, and from the Office
of International Science and Engineering
Plate 7 (a) Freshwater and (b) marine
stratigraphic units from Lake of the Pregnant
Lady, Langkawi