Nature: Natural Disasters 2

– The 2004 Earthquake and Tsunami in Indonesia –

“On 26th December 2004, the world witnessed one of its most devastating natural disasters. An undersea megathrust earthquake, with a magnitude of 9.1–9.3, triggered a series of massive tsunami waves in the Indian Ocean.

The epicenter, off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia, unleashed the energy equivalent of 23,000 Hiroshima-type atomic bombs. The resultant tsunamis, with waves as high as 30 meters, ravaged the coasts of 14 countries, traveling as far as 5,000 kilometers to Africa.

The disaster left an indelible mark, killing around 230,000 to 280,000 people, making it one of the deadliest in history. It displaced millions, destroyed entire towns, and decimated the region’s infrastructure.

Besides the immediate destruction, the tsunami had long-term environmental and health impacts. Freshwater sources were contaminated with seawater, causing a severe shortage of drinking water. Infectious diseases spread due to the disaster’s aftermath, complicating relief efforts.

Despite the calamity’s severity, it also led to one of the most substantial humanitarian responses, with donations and aid coming from individuals, corporations, and governments worldwide.”

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO words from the text for each answer.

An undersea _________1 triggered a series of massive tsunami waves in the Indian Ocean.
The quake released energy equivalent to 23,000 Hiroshima-type atomic _________2.
The tsunami waves were as high as 30 _________3.
The disaster led to the _________4 of around 230,000 to 280,000 people.
The tsunami also had long-term environmental and _________5 impacts.
The disaster led to one of the most substantial _________ 6 responses, with aid coming from all over the world.

Choose NO MORE THAN ONE word from the text for each answer.

On December 26, 2004, a catastrophic undersea __________ 1 sparked a series of colossal tsunami waves in the Indian Ocean. The quake, equivalent in energy to 23,000 atomic __________ 2, generated tsunamis reaching up to 30 __________ 3. The catastrophe led to the __________ 4 of nearly 230,000 to 280,000 people, displacing millions and wreaking widespread destruction. Beyond immediate damage, the event led to enduring environmental and health __________ 5, affecting water supplies and contributing to disease spread. Despite the calamity’s magnitude, it spurred one of history’s most robust __________ 6 responses.

Vocabulary Builder

Find the synonyms (words with the same or similar meaning) to these 9 words from the original passage.

Original word	Variants used
Catastrophic	_________
Destruction	_________ / _________
Spurred	_________
Sparked	_________
Displacing	_________
Aftermath	_________
Indelible	_________
Equivalent	_________

Reveal answer (5 More Words)

Original word	Variants used
Catastrophic	Devastating
Destruction	Devastation, Damage
Spurred	Led to
Sparked	Triggered
Displacing	Displaced
Aftermath	Impacts
Indelible	Deadly
Equivalent	Comparable