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THE 26 DECEMBER 2004
TSUNAMI: |
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Absornsuda Siripong¹, |
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¹Marine Science Department, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, |
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²Geoinformatics for Thailand, Chulalongkorn University, Phayathai Road, |
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| Using satellite data, aerial photos and field surveys of six provinces of Thailand's Andaman coast, the NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) was used to evaluate the mangrove damage assessment brought on by the Indian Ocean Tsunami. Environmental data such as offshore bathymetry, coastal topography, coastline configuration, coastal type, land-use data, run-up data and nearby tide gauge data were combined to investigate the degree of damage. Mangroves are extremely important in forming an effective barrier against any type of wave, by "filtering" the energy out of the wave. Tsunami damage could have been reduced if more coastal areas had maintained their protective shields of mangrove swamps, beach forests and coral reefs. For instance, the damage was less severe at mangrove coasts than at Prathong Island's sandy beach. Various rehabilitation projects have been recommended. | |
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