Field Survey of the Tsunami Caused by the Sumatra-Andaman Earthquake of December 26, 2004 and the Restoration of Impacted Inland Water Bodies in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The magnitude 9.0 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake on December 26, 2004, was one of the world’s largest since 1900. The devastating tsunami resulting from it caused more casualties than any previously reported tsunami. This paper describes two field visits to assess tsunami damage in Sri Lanka by a team of Japanese and Sri Lankan researchers and environmental restoration plans for tsunami-impacted inland water bodies. The first field visit, Dec. 30, 2004-Jan. 04, 2005, covered western, southwestern and southern Sri Lanka and included the cities of Beruwala, Pereliya, Hikkaduwa, Galle, Talpe, Matara, and Hambantota. The second field visit, March 10-18, 2005, covered northeastern, eastern, southeastern and southern Sri Lanka and included Trincomalee, Kuchchaveli, Pasikkudah, Batticaloa, Arugam Bay, Yala (National Park), and Kirinda. Eyewitness information on wave arrival times is also discussed.