The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami
  • 1. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history, struck on December 26, 2004, following a massive undersea earthquake that registered a magnitude of 9.1 to 9.3 off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia. This incredible seismic event triggered a series of devastating tsunamis that affected the coasts of 14 countries bordering the Indian Ocean, including Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, and several others. Waves reaching up to 30 meters (100 feet) in height inundated coastal communities with terrifying speed, obliterating everything in their path and causing widespread destruction. The human cost was staggering; estimates suggest that over 230,000 people lost their lives, while millions more were displaced and left without homes or basic necessities. The aftermath of the tsunami profoundly impacted the affected nations, leading to an unprecedented international humanitarian response, which involved governments, NGOs, and local communities coming together to provide relief and recovery efforts. Additionally, the disaster raised awareness about tsunami preparedness and initiated significant changes in disaster management protocols, including the establishment of early warning systems to better protect coastal populations from future tsunamis.

    What date did the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami occur?
A) March 15, 2004
B) November 20, 2004
C) January 1, 2005
D) December 26, 2004
  • 2. What was the epicenter of the earthquake?
A) Near Tokyo, Japan
B) Off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia
C) In the Arabian Sea
D) In the Gulf of Thailand
  • 3. How high did some tsunami waves reach?
A) Up to 30 meters
B) 20 meters
C) 5 meters
D) 10 meters
  • 4. Approximately how many people died as a result of the tsunami?
A) 500,000
B) 230,000
C) 1 million
D) 50,000
  • 5. What natural phenomenon caused the tsunami?
A) Tornado
B) Volcanic eruption
C) Undersea earthquake
D) Landslide
  • 6. Which of these Indian states was affected by the tsunami?
A) Tamil Nadu
B) Uttar Pradesh
C) Punjab
D) Maharashtra
  • 7. Which international organization provided aid after the tsunami?
A) NATO
B) WTO
C) OPEC
D) United Nations
  • 8. What technology is used to detect tsunamis?
A) Drones
B) Tsunami warning buoys
C) Weather balloons
D) Seismic activity monitors
  • 9. Which ocean did the tsunami primarily affect?
A) Pacific Ocean
B) Arctic Ocean
C) Indian Ocean
D) Atlantic Ocean
  • 10. Which of these animals was noted to have acted strangely before the tsunami?
A) Dogs
B) Birds
C) Cats
D) Elephants
  • 11. What type of plate boundary was responsible for the earthquake?
A) Convergent boundary
B) Divergent boundary
C) Transform boundary
D) Plate boundary is irrelevant
  • 12. What factor contributed to the high loss of life in the 2004 tsunami?
A) Inaccurate weather forecasting
B) Insufficient rescue efforts
C) Lack of a tsunami warning system
D) Overpopulation of coastal cities
  • 13. Which country had the largest number of casualties?
A) Sri Lanka
B) India
C) Indonesia
D) Thailand
  • 14. What is the main cause of tsunamis?
A) Underwater earthquakes
B) Global warming
C) Storm surges
D) Meteor impacts
  • 15. In which sea did the tsunami travel towards after the earthquake?
A) Red Sea
B) Caribbean Sea
C) Mediterranean Sea
D) Andaman Sea
  • 16. What was a significant effect of the tsunami on coastal ecosystems?
A) Rise in sea levels
B) Increased fish populations
C) Coral reef destruction
D) Formation of new land
  • 17. Which famous movie depicted a family’s survival during the tsunami?
A) Cast Away
B) San Andreas
C) The Impossible
D) Titanic
  • 18. In which country did the tsunami lead to a large number of tourist fatalities?
A) Thailand
B) Malaysia
C) Philippines
D) Australia
  • 19. What was established in the wake of the tsunami to warn future events?
A) Tsunami Research Institute
B) Global Weather Network
C) Seismic Control Center
D) Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System
  • 20. What was the primary humanitarian response to the tsunami?
A) Disaster relief and aid
B) Long-term tourism promotion
C) Military intervention
D) Evacuation of cities
  • 21. Which humanitarian organization played a key role after the tsunami?
A) Amnesty International
B) Greenpeace
C) Red Cross
D) World Wildlife Fund
  • 22. After the tsunami, what economic impact affected fishing communities?
A) Destruction of fishing boats and harbors
B) Increase in fish prices
C) Boost in agricultural production
D) Surge in tourist activities
  • 23. How many countries were primarily affected by the tsunami?
A) 5
B) 20
C) 10
D) 14
  • 24. Which island nation was hit by a massive wave but had minimal casualties?
A) Maldives
B) Fiji
C) Seychelles
D) Bali
  • 25. What year did the catastrophic event lead to the development of tsunami education programs?
A) 2005
B) 2007
C) 2003
D) 2001
Created with That Quiz — the math test generation site with resources for other subject areas.