Impact of 2004 Tsunami on Seafloor Morphology and Offshore Sediments, Pakarang Cape, Thailand

Abstract

This study documents seafloor morphology and sediments based on multibeam, side-scan sonar and boomer surveys, as well as sediment samples taken on the inner to mid shelf of the Andaman Sea after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Preservation of submarine relief in former underwater mining areas points to limited impact of the tsunami, while channel structures parallel to the observed tsunami backwash indicate a possible higher impact. Therefore, the tsunami impact seems to be focused on some areas. The impact was probably most effective during the backwash, when stiff mud deposits containing grass, wood fragments and shells were transported by high density backwash flows. Moreover, several boulders, which might have been deposited during the tsunami backwash flow, were found in the channels in front of Pakarang Cape.