Causes of tsunami

Watch and make notes on the videos below and study the diagam carefully.

B. How do tsunamis form?

  1. Carefully examine the statements below. Put them in the order in which they occur to create a tsunami:
    1. Sea movement causes Tsunami
    2. Plate movement causes earthquake
    3. Waves crash onto shore
    4. Sea above earthquake forced upwards
    5. Plates move towards each other
    6. Tsunami waves spread quickly outwards
  2. Make a larger, neater (better) coy of the diagram below. Use the material on this page to fully annotate the diagram in order to fully explain how tsunamis form. Remember to give the diagram a title, to use a ruler for arrows, to draw a frame around your diagram; draw only in pencil and write in blue or black pen.

C. Tsunami documentary




Watch the documentary on the right and list your questions ready to discuss next lesson.


How was this tsunami different? Think about:
  • The kind of countries affected
  • Quality of buildings
  • Warning systems
  • Education of people in how to respond

Banda Aceh research and writing task:
  • Use the video, the slides below and your own research to create a data based fact file on the impact of the 2004 tsunami on the city of Banda Aceh in Indonesia.
  • Choose four photos of the tsunami in Banda Aceh which you think particularly show the effects on people and environment. Annotate them and explain why you think they are so representative.
  • Write 400 words from the perspective of a teenager living in Aceh on 26 December 2004. Describe your experience: what you saw, what you experienced and how it has affected you.

Slideshow 1: PLTD Apung

What is PLTD Apung? Where was it before the tsunami? Where is it now?

Slideshow 2: Tsunami Museum

Slideshow 3: Mass Grave

Why were mass graves needed? People often do not even know which mass grave contains their relatives - why?

Slideshow 4 - Two boats in the suburbs

Slideshow 5: Boat on suburban roof

Slideshow 6: Park of thanksgiving