Environmental and socioeconomic dynamics of the Indian Ocean tsunami in Penang,Malaysia |
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| Authors: | Benjamin Horton Michael Bird Thomas Birkland Susan Cowie Ong Jin Eong Andrea Hawkes Gong Wooi Khoon Lisa Law Colin Macgregor Aileen Tan Shau‐Hwai Teh Tiong Sa Zulfigar Yasin |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA;2. School of Geography & Geosciences, University of St Andrews, Scotland, UK;3. Department of Public Administration and Policy, University at Albany–State University of New York, Albany, USA;4. Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia;5. Humanities and Social Studies Education Academic Group, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore |
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| Abstract: | This paper addresses some of the environmental and socioeconomic dimensions of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami on Penang, Malaysia. We aim to offer wide access to unique and perishable data, while at the same time providing insight to ongoing debates about hazards, vulnerability and social capital. Our social survey examines some of the dynamics that shaped the tsunami impact, response and recovery process. While in terms of lives lost Penang may not conform to arguments surrounding vulnerable environments, the recovery process is more marked by social disparities in terms of the ability to access resources. Our physical survey records local topography, flow depth and flow direction, and charts the differential impact of the tsunami. Yet measuring hazards is not a straightforward process, and relies on reflexive methodologies and eyewitness accounts. |
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| Keywords: | emergency response Malaysia tsunami vulnerability social capital |
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