Question

Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct about the tsunami that occurred in 2004 in India and several southern parts of Asia?

• A. It happened due to the Burma plate going under the Indian plate.
• B. There is a rapid withdrawal of water from the coast before the tsunami approaches it.
• C. This tsunami was caused by a massive volcanic eruption inside the ocean.
• D. The waves of the tsunami travelled at a speed that is comparable to that of a commercial jet plane.

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (D)

The waves of the tsunami travelled at a speed that is comparable to that of a commercial jet plane.

An earthquake that had its epicentre close to the western boundary of Sumatra was the cause of the 2004 tsunami. As the Indian plate went under the Burma plate, there was a sudden movement of the sea floor, which caused the earthquake. The magnitude of the earthquake was around 9.0 on the Richter scale. The waves of the tsunami travelled at a speed of about 800kmph, comparable to the speed of a commercial aircraft.