The word tsunami is a Japanese word used to describe damaging sea waves caused by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and or landslides occurring on the ocean floor (Phillips, 2011). A direct translation of the Japanese phrase translates to harbor wave. Tsunamis are notorious for their deadly effects to life and infrastructure of coastal cities. While tsunami waves are slightly above normal in height, they span hundreds of kilometers in length.
Over the past century, several parts of the globe have been devastated by tsunamis. However, Japan and Indonesia remain the most affected in regards to tsunami frequency, magnitude and estimated losses of life and infrastructure. Some of the major tsunamis that have been recorded throughout history include: the Japan North Pacific tsunami of 2011, boxing day tsunami Sumatra, Indonesia 2004, the great Alaska earthquake and tsunami of 1960, the Chilean tsunami of 1960, the Aleutian tsunami of 1957 and Kamchatka tsunami of 1952 ("Tsunami Dates, History of Tsunamis", 2016).
The Boxing Day tsunami that occurred in Sumatra, Indonesia on the 26th of December was caused by a 9.1 earthquake magnitude (Phillips, 2011). The earthquake is estimated to have taken place at a depth of 30km off the Sumatra coast with a fault zone approximately 1300km long. The tsunami also affected Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Maldives, and Somalia ("Tsunami Dates, History of Tsunamis", 2016). Eye witnesses report sea waves as high as 50m spanning several kilometers. Off the Indonesian coast of Sumatra, the tsunami reached up to 5km inland leaving behind a trail of devastation.
The World Bank estimates a loss as ten billion U. S. dollars (US$10b) as the result of damages caused by the Boxing Day tsunami. Other than the loss of property and infrastructure, thousands of lives were lost. The devastating death count as a result of this tsunami is reported to be 230,000.
Since man began to sail there have been countless shipwrecks. The primary cause of wrecks can be grouped into two, nature-related causes and human-related causes. Human-related causes economy, seamanship, and technology. However, nature-related causes include elements such as atmospheric, oceanic, and tectonic conditions ("Northern Maritime Research - Shipwrecks Database", 2016).
Atmospheric and climatic conditions affect elements such as wind and fog, rain, and snow. These, in turn, reduce visibility and inhibit proper vessel navigation. Oceanic conditions affect currents and tides while tectonic conditions influence the state of the ocean floor in regards to earthquakes, volcanoes, and tidal waves. On the other hand, human-related conditions such as economy affect the prowess of vessel construction, repair, and maintenance while seamanship measures the ability of the captain and the crew in navigation and ship handling. Technology or the lack of it has contributed to shipwrecks by way of inaccurate charts and poor vessel design.
The Italian Liner Andrea Doria sunk after a 90-degree angle collision with the Swedish liner Stockholm on the 25th of July the year 1956. Andrea Doria was an ocean liner weighing 29,083 GRT (gross register tonnage) with a capacity of 1,221 passengers. On the fateful day of the shipwreck, Andrea Doria was bound for New York City and was approaching the coast of Nantucket when the collision occurred. The crash struck the liner’s starboard side approximately one third her length.
References
Northern Maritime Research - Shipwrecks Database. (2016). Northern Maritime Research.
Retrieved 2 April 2016, from http://northernmaritimeresearch.com/shipwrecks-causes.html
Phillips, C. (2016). The ten most destructive tsunamis in history. Australian Geographic.
Retrieved 2 April 2016, from http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/science-environment/2011/03/the-10-most-destructive-tsunamis-in-history/
Tsunami Dates, History of Tsunamis. (2016). Maps of the world. Retrieved 2 April 2016, from
http://www.mapsofworld.com/tsunami/
