TSUNAMI OF DECEMBER 26, 2004 ON THE SOUTHWEST COAST OF INDIA: POST-TSUNAMI GEOMORPHIC AND SEDIMENT CHARACTERISTICS

Abstract

This paper discusses the impact of the December 26, 2004 tsunami on the geomorphic features and sediment characteristics along the southwest coast of India. The data used include field observations made after the tsunami, and the inferences drawn from the satellite imagery taken before and after the tsunami. Sediment samples collected from the inner shelf, beach and estuarine environments were analyzed to understand post-tsunami changes in grain-size characteristics. The tsunami eroded and transported landwards significant volumes of distinct black sands, rich in heavy minerals, from the shelf onto the beaches of the Kerala region, and up to 500 m inland of the present coast.