Mitigation Lessons from the July 17, 1998 Papua New Guinea Tsunami

Dengler, Lori; Preuss, Jane

doi:10.1007/978-3-0348-7995-8_11

Cited by 15 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Eye‐witness accounts of the tsunami itself varied considerably. This was almost certainly the result of the general confusion that surrounded the tsunami, but it was also at least partially the result of each unique experience of the event (Hyman and Neisser 2000; Dengler and Preuss 2003). Most of the interviewees did not witness the tsunami first hand, and of those that did, the reported number of waves varied between three and five, highlighting the difficulty in interpreting such accounts without corroborating evidence.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Indian Ocean tsunamis: environmental and socio‐economic impacts in Langkawi, Malaysia

Bird¹,

Cowie²,

Hawkes

et al. 2007

Geographical Journal

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We report the results of a study of the physical characteristics and socio-economic impacts of the Indian Ocean Tsunami of 26 December 2004 on the tourist island of Langkawi, Malaysia. In comparison with many other locations struck by the tsunami, the immediate physical and socio-economic impacts in Langkawi were relatively minor. A detailed survey of the watermark and ground elevations was undertaken in the worst affected area between Sungei Kuala Teriang and Sungei Kuala Melaka. Here, the tsunami reached a maximum elevation of 4.29 m as it crossed the coast, with a maximum flow depth of 2.0 m and a very consistent run-up elevation relative to mean sea level of 300 ± 10 cm. The tsunami inundated inshore areas for 300 m and penetrated inland along creeks for 500-1000 m. Structural damage to buildings was confined to within 50-150 m of the shoreline where about 10% of the houses were completely destroyed and 60-70% suffered significant structural damage. Damage was particularly severe in areas where there was no engineered coastal protection, but while coastal revetments did provide enhanced protection for houses at the waterfront, the coastline in the study area appeared to be more heavily impacted than elsewhere in Langkawi because wave energy was focused on the area by offshore breakwaters built to protect the Langkawi port and airport. Emergency response after the tsunami was rapid and efficient but would have been improved if the local police station had not been rendered inoperative by the first wave, and if a mechanism had been in place to ensure that informal advance warnings transmitted between Phuket (Thailand), Langkawi and Penang (Malaysia) by tourist operators could have been more widely disseminated.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Indian Ocean tsunamis: environmental and socio‐economic impacts in Langkawi, Malaysia

Bird¹,

Cowie²,

Hawkes

et al. 2007

Geographical Journal

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“…Some villagers went to the coastline after the earthquake shaking to investigate the loud noise from the sea. As a result of this inappropriate behavior, fewer than half of the at-risk population survived the tsunami that arrived about 20 minutes after the earthquake stopped shaking the village (Dengler and Preuss, 1999;Kawata et aI., 1999). These two examples illustrate that knowledge of tsunami behaviors saves lives.…”

Section: Mitigation-the Tsunami Resistant Communitymentioning

confidence: 97%

Recent Developments in Tsunami Hazard Mitigation

Bernard

2001

Tsunami Research at the End of a Critical Decade

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“…The eyewitness accounts of the Penang tsunami are similar to those in other tsunami studies (e.g. Dudley & Lee, 1998; Dengler & Preuss, 2003). Many people were knocked over by the first wave, and most survivors described three significant waves.…”

Section: The Tsunamimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although eyewitness accounts were useful in terms of reconstructing the tsunami event, descriptions varied considerably. This was likely the result of the general confusion that surrounded the tsunami but also reflects each person's unique experience of the event and their individual circumstances and memory errors (Neisser & Hyman, 2000; Dengler & Preuss, 2003). Some fisherfolk out at sea were completely unaware of the tsunami until they returned to find their jetty and fishing boats in disarray.…”

Section: The Tsunamimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We were particularly interested in the social milieu in which livelihood impacts and patterns of local and institutional response by different groups took place (e.g. Davies et al ., 2003; Dengler & Preuss, 1999; 2003; Stone, 2005). We therefore assessed the impact of the tsunami on people's actions, public services and communication, as well as the effectiveness of the response plans (Mileti & Sorensen, 1990; Mileti & O'Brien, 1992; Morrow et al ., 1997; Covan et al ., 2000; Rocha & Christoplos, 2001; Whitehead, 2002; Shaw & Goda, 2004; Thomalla & Schmuck, 2004; Buranakul et al ., 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Environmental and socioeconomic dynamics of the Indian Ocean tsunami in Penang, Malaysia

Horton

Bird

Birkland

et al. 2008

Singap J Trop Geogr

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This paper addresses some of the environmental and socioeconomic dimensions of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami on Penang, Malaysia. We aim to offer wide access to unique and perishable data, while at the same time providing insight to ongoing debates about hazards, vulnerability and social capital. Our social survey examines some of the dynamics that shaped the tsunami impact, response and recovery process. While in terms of lives lost Penang may not conform to arguments surrounding vulnerable environments, the recovery process is more marked by social disparities in terms of the ability to access resources. Our physical survey records local topography, flow depth and flow direction, and charts the differential impact of the tsunami. Yet measuring hazards is not a straightforward process, and relies on reflexive methodologies and eyewitness accounts.

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Mitigation Lessons from the July 17, 1998 Papua New Guinea Tsunami

Cited by 15 publications

References 7 publications

Indian Ocean tsunamis: environmental and socio‐economic impacts in Langkawi, Malaysia

Indian Ocean tsunamis: environmental and socio‐economic impacts in Langkawi, Malaysia

Recent Developments in Tsunami Hazard Mitigation

Environmental and socioeconomic dynamics of the Indian Ocean tsunami in Penang, Malaysia

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