Indonesia Tsunami of 2018 – Causes & Effects

A total of 13% of World’s volcanoes are located in Indonesia. Being a country with so many active volcanoes, it is indeed important to have a system that monitors the eruptions and its reactions. After rigorous eruptions from the Anak Krakatau located off the Sunda Strait at 21:03 local time (14:03 UTC) on 22nd December, a tsunami followed it. This sudden natural hazard was the result of numerous underwater landslides of the Anak Krakatau volcano into the ocean. It is quite evident that the volcanic eruption had caused the tsunami and not the earthquakes. Owing to this reason, there wasn’t much possibility to send out warnings and calls to ask people to stay away from the shoreline. This lead to the saddened loss of more than 373 lives in Indonesia.

What Caused the tsunami in Indonesia in 2018?

The Anak Krakatau is a volcano formed after a massive eruption of another volcano known as Krakatoa in 1883. This eruption led to the formation of this Anak Krakatau volcano from a caldera. Being a very active one, this volcano has been seen erupting fumes of smoke for the past weeks. Some volcanic activity inside the volcano had triggered the eruption and led to a series of slides on its south-west side wall. Furthermore, it developed into a chain of underwater landslides in the ocean. Eventually leading to the giant waves – tsunami.

Effects of the Tsunami

More than 400 people dead and hundreds feared lost, this tsunami has caused devastating loss of lives and property in Indonesia. At least 16,000 people were displaced from their homes and are shifted to safer locations.

Why was the casualty at this hazardous extent?

Suppose if the tsunami was caused because of earthquakes, then there would have been many warning signs from the seismic detectors and geographical departments. Additionally, the sea would have receded inwards. Since this tsunami was started by an underwater landslide of a volcano, these signs were not there for people to be careful.

The giant wave wiped off a whole band on stage

Nobody expected or even predicted that this tsunami would happen. It is more surprising that a whole band was washed away by these gigantic waves. Except for the lead singer, all the other band members are now dead. Watch the video below to see how disastrous the tsunami was.

The World leaders including Indian PM Narendra Modi, Russian President, and PM – Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev, Queen Elizabeth II, the US President Donald Trump, and many others have poured their heartfelt messages and extended hands to help at any level to Indonesia.

Image Video Credit & Courtesy: Guardian News, Daily Express.