How the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami Shaped Scientific Research in Southeast Asia

26th December 2024 marked the 20th commemoration of the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. This short documentary highlights some strides made by researchers from the Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS) and their Indonesian collaborators in bettering our understanding of earthquake and tsunami hazards in the region. Key to this were the close collaboration between the researchers and the different kinds of datasets and modelling approaches used. As we continue to live in a region prone to multiple hazards, our scientists also share about current and future research directions to continue promoting more resilient societies in Southeast Asia.

Related content:

1. Check out this blog post to find out more about a review study that further elaborates on the key scientific lessons learnt since the event. This includes improvements in our understanding of the regional tectonics and in disaster preparedness, and ongoing research into seismic gaps in the region.

2. Read this news post to learn about an ongoing joint initiative between EOS and the Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional, BRIN) aimed at gathering more data to improve the assessment of seismic and tsunami hazards in the Mentawai Islands, an area in Indonesia that has the potential of being the location for a future event. 

3. Check out this blog post to learn more about different collaborations between EOS and Indonesian partners, which have enabled long-term observations of the tectonic movements in the Southeast Asian region.