Faculty Opinions recommendation of Impacts from the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami: analysing the potential protecting role of environmental features.

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Abstract
This study is a must-read for anyone interested in how to limit the loss of life from natural disasters such as tsunami and storm surges. The Indian Ocean Tsunami of 26 December 2004 resulted in an estimated 280,000 deaths in countries bordering the Indian Ocean. In the aftermath of this tragedy, many anecdotal reports emerged to suggest that natural barriers, such as coral reefs and coastal vegetation, lessened the damage to property and the loss of life in coastal communities. Chatenoux and Peduzzi explicitly test these hypotheses with data from 56 sites from throughout the Indian Ocean. Their results were conclusive; the extent of coastal vegetation, scored on a scale from 1 to 6, did not affect tsunami inundation. In addition, tsunami inundation was actually greater behind areas fronted by coral reefs. The conclusions of the study are clear; natural barriers are not an effective means of saving life or property in tsunami, rather authorities should concentrate on early warning systems, community education and evacuation planning.

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