Tsunami Impact on the West Coast of Penang Island, Malaysia

Abstract

The Sumatra-Andaman Earthquake of December 2004 (magnitude 9.0) generated a tsunami that affected all coasts of the Indian Ocean, killed over 300,000 people, and caused loss of property and livelihood. In Malaysia, 68 people died and property losses amounted to about $25 million This study investigates physical, environmental and institutional factors that may explain why the tsunami had limited impact on the Malaysian coasts using the west coast of Penang Island as the study area.

The study uses bathymetry, topography, satellite imagery and fieldwork to address this question, concluding that the configuration of the Indian Ocean coastline and its bathymetry are the primary factors that limited the impact of the tsunami. Secondary factors are the low density of settlement near the coast resulting from the presence of a broad intertidal zone, a belt of mangrove on state-owned land, and institutional influences that limit settlement along the coast. Though most of the deceased were ethnic Malays, it was not possible to relate mortality to socio-economic status. The greatest property losses were among fishermen and aquaculturalists. Losses were uninsured. Financial compensation for loss of life and injury was nominal. After mitigation by government grants, losses were still substantial. The main government role in mitigating loss was not in the provision of grants, but in planning and implementing long-term economic and local development, resulting in fewer people exposed to risk from tsunami because they have found employment and housing away from the west coast of Penang Island.

This is a photograph of site 2 looking west. Click image to download PDF files

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