5,395. That is a very large number and it can be hard to visualize.
Three months ago, memorials were held on the 10th anniversary of the tsunami. One, on Phuket Island, consisted of paper lanterns released into the air, and hundreds of candles placed in sand castles, as locals and tourists watched in silence.
The Boxing Day Tsunami was caused by a 9.0 Richter scale earthquake located in the Indian Ocean. Waves crashed onto the shores of Indonesia, Thailand, India, Myanmar, and rippled across the world. This tsunami is the greatest catastrophe since 1976, and the worst tsunami in human history.
Before and After arial view of the Khao Lak coastline |
Today, there are many changes in Thailand. In every hotel room, there are emergency flashlights, while hazard signs show the actions to take in case. Thailand is now much better prepared, with a massive tsunami warning system. They should have at least three hours warning now, if the epicenter is in the middle of the Indian Ocean, and with those hours have time to evacuate. The southern infrastructure is stronger, and tourism has returned.
Image Sources:
www.worldatlas.com
www.iwallhd.com
www.trekearth.com
www.surfersvillage.com
Text Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effect_of_the_2004_Indian_Ocean_earthquake_on_Thailand
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Indian_Ocean_earthquake_and_tsunami
https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-2004-indian-ocean-tsunami
http://mashable.com/2014/12/26/tsunami-10-year-anniversary/