Observations by the international tsunami survey team in Sri Lanka.
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.
Liu
Philip L-F
PL
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Lynett
Patrick
P
Fernando
Harindra
H
Jaffe
Bruce E
BE
Fritz
Hermann
H
Higman
Bretwood
B
Morton
Robert
R
Goff
James
J
Synolakis
Costas
C