US tsunami warning center reflects on challenges during 2004 Indian Ocean disaster

A seismologist from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center shared insights on the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which killed over 220,000 people. At the time, the center was unprepared, lacking data and communication channels for the Indian Ocean, leading to ineffective warnings. The team received delayed alerts about the earthquake but underestimated its magnitude, initially reporting it as an 8 instead of the actual 9.2. Their warnings were directed to Pacific regions, missing the affected areas, which contributed to the disaster's high death toll. Since 2004, tsunami monitoring has improved significantly. New warning centers have been established in the Indian Ocean, and advancements in technology allow for quicker assessments and warnings, enhancing the safety of coastal populations in the event of future tsunamis.