title: Observations by the international tsunami survey team in Sri Lanka.
abstract: In response to the 26 December 2004 tsunami, a survey team of scientists was dispatched to Sri Lanka. Measurements made by the team show that the tsunami elevation and runup ranged from 5 to 12 meters. Eyewitnesses report that up to three separate waves attacked the coast, with the second or third generally the largest. Our conclusion stresses the importance of education: Residents with a basic knowledge of tsunamis, as well as an understanding of how environmental modifications will affect overland flow, are paramount to saving lives and minimizing tsunami destruction.
authors.affiliation: School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
authors.forename: Philip L-F
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lynett
authors.forename: Harindra
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fernando
authors.forename: Bruce E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Jaffe
authors.forename: Hermann
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fritz
authors.forename: Bretwood
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Higman
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Morton
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Goff
authors.forename: Costas
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Synolakis