Amazing Tsunami Footage

Amazing footage from the recent earthquake/tsunami in Asia. The video clip shows a beach bar filling up with water. Amazingly the guy with the camera keeps filming as the place fills with a few feet of water. More clips here, here and here. [via]

Update: Cheese and Crackers has links to more footage.

Update 2: More footage that was broadcast on TV yesterday.

Update 3 (10/1/05): New footage here and here.

Comments

[sajeev]

Thanks for the footages. Though these are hard to see, it helps us understand reality and feel the magnitude of this natural disaster. Thanks once again for the efforts.

Regards

[Elizabeth Baker]

These clips are devasting. I can't imagine even after seeing the footage actually being in that situation. The people video taping were brave, Maybe these clips will be able to help people all over the world understand more about Tsunami's. I like to think these tapes were recieved because the people fimling lived to deliver them. I'm praying.

[Josh baker]

Why is the water in the slides not first being drawn back into the tidal wave, seems like internet trickery to me.

[Jon]

Now really man, how could it be trickery? That wouldn't even be funny... I mean, did they just pay a guy to fly to that island and run backwards with a camera? This is definately real footage.

[Josh baker]

relax freaks, I am not a tidal wave expert, dont send hate mail, I am just giving my personal opinion.

[passing by]

simple.
With regular waves the water is drawn back because it's the previous wave it's water gliding back down the beatch. Now an extra mass of water was added to the bay, and there was only one wave, not 2 or more. The big wave also rolled back into sea(partially) only much slower due to it's bigger size.
I hope that is somewhat understandable

[Tara]

Does anyone know a direct link to some tsunami footage?

[foolishklown]

i want tsunami footage of a huge wave, not just a mass of water slowly creeping inland. I doubt it is available though, because the worst hit places were small islands, poor people, and probably no one had a camnera. I have a video of someone standing on the beach, probably on some small island, when out of nowhere a 20 foot wave that should have crashed keeps on coming, fast, towards the shore. Its a big fucking wave and it kicks up to about 25 feet and then breaks right on the shoreline, and comes rushing at these people, who actually live. Its a scary video and i wonder if there are more like it.

[opinionated passerby]

i feel horrible for the people who had to go through this so many people died and so many people lost things (i.e. family friends home) there is no way i would even critisize the footage or the caprturers of footage calling it trickery! it disgusts me that i know people who are so nonchalont about this event saying "as long as it didnt happen to me i dont care" that disgusts me so many people are lost and so many things are distroyed i dont know how people who are soo self-centered can stand themselves.. but wut ever im sorry i went sorta off track but its wut i was thinking :-/ i hope everyone reading is good and has a good life (very corny but true)

[Just Searching]

I wish there was some footage of larger waves, but those movies are pretty freakin' scary!

[Mike]

Unfortunatly in times like these ,the best and worst traits of humanity are revealed.From scamming people for theyre money into false charities to child abductions praying on the orphaned children in these disaster racked regions. The list goes on and on and not to mention the non chalant attitude of some people about this major event in human history.There are certain people and you know who you are ,who have the attitude that well its not my problem or theyre muslim ,or not christians ,or whatever, just fill in the blank..The fact is that it can happen,it has happened and will happen again and more than likely sooner rather than later.Alot of these end of the world scenarios that hollywood movie makers put out arent to outlandish after all eh?
As I said the best and worst are revealed and Im happy to see that my own country has givin so much aid and and money as well.Since 911 many in the world have had a confused opinion about America and its people .I understand theyre point but the people who live in this nation are very gracious and caring and I think that this shows very much right now.The outpouring of funds and aid has been astonishing.This is what this nation does best.I only wish we could stay out of wars and heated conflicts.Maybe Im an optimist but maybe this might be an event that can truly bring people together for a common cause.We need to learn that we are better together than apart and that we share this world of ours and that it is a delicate balance that our existance clings to on this planet.This is just one major quake,Just imagine a asteroid or comet impact in the Pacific or Atlantic ocean.You think this is major?Think again.I hope this is a sufficiant eye opener for governments to start listening to theyre scientist whove been warning of such scenarios but have been ignored.An Tsunami early warning system is a start, but there needs to be much more than this including extraterrestrial object detection and planning with a real budget and international cooperation .To ignore these possible but eventual disasters would be totally ignorant.To those of you who do care ..get involved and contact your government and put the pressure on.
NEVER FORGET !

[passed by]

The most disheartening thing for me is to hear people wishing to have a view of one giant wave. For what? So they can view it in the comfort of their nice, warm homes, a few seconds of visual satisfaction. The ramnifications of that single wave (along with the rest) are felt at the other end though. This is sickening to hear, and the few that express this desire make for a contradictory impression on those who really want to help and wish well. Yes, this country is donating millions of dollars, because it CAN, not because it's nicer or better. Nonetheless, these good folks donating time and money are doing us all a favor in the int'l public eye, but their good deeds may be tarnished if others were to publicly announce that they wish they could see at least one huge wave...
May everyone reading this be well.

[Racer_X]

This is just one major quake,Just imagine a asteroid or comet impact in the Pacific or Atlantic ocean.You think this is major?Think again.

Well, actually .... NASA "HAS" found an asteroid that is scheduled to , quote/unquote , "cross" earth's path in the year 2029. They found this asteroid Christmas eve and imediately gave precedence to letting the people know. A press "conference" was scheduled the next day, but was scrapped becasue of the fear of making it sound TOO SCARY and causing panic. So, they made a "press release" instead. Saying that they do not know much about the asteroid, except that it is definately on a collision course with earth. "hopefully", they say, it is only a "rock cluster" type of asteroid and will burn up in the atmosphere before striking ground. But, they also say that it is LARGE.
refer to this link as proof ... http://space.about.com/od/nearearthobjects/a/2004mn4impact.htm

[kim]

hi i just wana say thx 4 the footage it was great n really showed me what it was really all about i didnt care at first but now im doing evry little thing that i can!!

[Rachel]

Note: American population: 240 million odd; Australian population 19 million odd.
American donation - some $540 mil
Australian donation - $1 BILLION.
Oh, yes charity is certainly what your country does best.

[Mark]

Rachel:
You seem to forget that NO ONE ELSE in the entire world besides the USA has the logistical capability of shipping all the relief supplies to that region. The rest of the world can throw all the money they want at the problem and sit on their fat asses and say, "Oh look what a wonderful thing we have done! We've sent a billion dollars!" The victims can't eat cash. It's easy for other countries to send money from their own taxpayers to BUY relief. We grow more food in the USA than the rest of you clowns put together. And, as of this writing, AMERICANS are on the ground and in the air and on the ocean moving the relief supplies that all you other pompous, sanctimonious "philanthropists" are leaving at the loading dock for our people to move. The supplies are being moved by our aircraft, our ships, helicopters and personnel-more THAN ANYONE ELSE. The meager billion dollar donation you speak of wouldn't pay for a tenth of the ships, aircraft and helicopters bought with U.S. taxpayer monies being used in the relief effort. I don't see you breaking a sweat over this! The cost of that operation alone isn't accounted for in the $530M you're sneering at. Nor are the hundreds of millions of dollars, food and clothing in relief donations being assembled by faith-based organizations across this country. (USA). There are even little kids setting up lemonade stands to donate their proceeds to the relief effort- during the winter no less. You obviously don't know much about Americans, our culture, our faith and our compassion. Until you are LUCKY enough to live among us for a year and see this for yourself, kindly stuff your arrogance where the sun don't shine!

[Neutral Joe]

First, got to say i m neither american or australian. (look at the name :) )

Mark, i can fully understand that Rachel s comments were offensive to you, and you did make a very good point about the logistic effort during this time of crisis. (but i got to mention australian army is doing is share of logistic)

My belief is that any help the victims can get is appreciated, and avoiding pickering, fighting and waisted energy is one of them . Might sound trivial, but a country s effort starts with individuals efforts. Let s remember here that the focus is not who s doing the most, but the survivors grieving over 150 000 dead on top of losing every thing they owned. Let s pick our fight, and let s pick the right one.

Now on a more scientific side; about the water not going back right away like a normal wave. Passing by had something right, but something very wrong,
Yes, the fact that there is an enormous amount of extra water in the bay (or coast) is the main reason, BUT it s not a single wave. Actualy, the first wave is the smallest, the peak is usually at the third or fourth one.

Tsunami, as most of you know by now, are created by large seismic activity or a huge mass falling into water (asteroid for exemple, or piece of mountain like in Alaska not that long ago). In this case, it was seismic activity when 2 tectonic plates shifted very suddenly. All continent are on the move, but very slowly (less than an inch per year). That shift caused some area to move close to 3 feets ! That move cause the tidal wave (tsunami). If you were lucky enough to be on the ocean in that area, you would had only spot a slightly bigger wave and would have been in no danger whatso ever, because the power is on the bottom of the sea. As the tsunami gets closer to the coast, it moves toward the surface, following the ocean s bottom. The power is so great, that previous to the first wave, the ocean is drawn back, like a very sudden low tide; the tsunami power is sucking all water in is path. The only image that comes to me is a gigantic fist bursting out. try that in your bathub and see the mess you get....So, going back to the original question, the first waves don t go back as much because a huge force is actually coming in ; after that, you got so much water movement, it keeps sucking more water in land, until the power of retraction becomes greater than the trail of the tsunami.

Hope this is clear and understandable.

Let s all be citizen of the earth

[Neutral Joe]

First, got to say i m neither american or australian. (look at the name :) )

Mark, i can fully understand that Rachel s comments were offensive to you, and you did make a very good point about the logistic effort during this time of crisis. (but i got to mention australian army is doing is share of logistic)

My belief is that any help the victims can get is appreciated, and avoiding pickering, fighting and waisted energy is one of them . Might sound trivial, but a country s effort starts with individuals efforts. Let s remember here that the focus is not who s doing the most, but the survivors grieving over 150 000 dead on top of losing every thing they owned. Let s pick our fight, and let s pick the right one.

Now on a more scientific side; about the water not going back right away like a normal wave. Passing by had something right, but something very wrong,
Yes, the fact that there is an enormous amount of extra water in the bay (or coast) is the main reason, BUT it s not a single wave. Actualy, the first wave is the smallest, the peak is usually at the third or fourth one.

Tsunami, as most of you know by now, are created by large seismic activity or a huge mass falling into water (asteroid for exemple, or piece of mountain like in Alaska not that long ago). In this case, it was seismic activity when 2 tectonic plates shifted very suddenly. All continent are on the move, but very slowly (less than an inch per year). That shift caused some area to move close to 3 feets ! That move cause the tidal wave (tsunami). If you were lucky enough to be on the ocean in that area, you would had only spot a slightly bigger wave and would have been in no danger whatso ever, because the power is on the bottom of the sea. As the tsunami gets closer to the coast, it moves toward the surface, following the ocean s bottom. The power is so great, that previous to the first wave, the ocean is drawn back, like a very sudden low tide; the tsunami power is sucking all water in is path. The only image that comes to me is a gigantic fist bursting out. try that in your bathub and see the mess you get....So, going back to the original question, the first waves don t go back as much because a huge force is actually coming in ; after that, you got so much water movement, it keeps sucking more water in land, until the power of retraction becomes greater than the trail of the tsunami.

Hope this is clear and understandable.

Let s all be citizen of the earth

[Mark]

I couldn't agree with you more. My hope, as has been mentioned by previous bloggers, is that the local Muslim and Buddhist populations in these areas will see for themselves that Americans/"Westerners" are not representatives of the "Great Satan" that many terrorist factions would have them believe that we are. We try where ever possible to show equal empathy for any population in distress whether they be Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, Jewish or Atheist. Twenty years ago, during the Reagan years, (a time when many people thought that the President was going to "drop the Big One" on the Soviet Union, we saved countless Russian lives in selling them tens of millions of dollars of wheat, when no one else had the supplies to do so. (Who would have thought?)
With regard to the actions of a Tsunami, you first have to understand the dynamics of waves. Having made several failed attempts to learn how to surf in the absolutely frigid waters of Maine, (without a wetsuit), I can
offer you the following. First let me recommend that you rent the DVD "Step Into Liquid" (a surfer movie). You'll see what monsters Pacific/Hawaiian waves can truly be; just in their "natural" state- no Tsunami.
Second, natural ocean waves are formed by the length, duration and
intensity of wind blowing in one direction across the ocean's
surface. In surfing lingo it's called "The Ketch". The longer the distance, duration, and the intensity of wind blowing across the surface in the same direction, the greater the wave size.
Even a Tsunami at sea is noticeable, if the water is relatively
shallow, say less than two hundred feet. The transfer of wave
energy permeates the entire medium from surface to the bottom, even if you only chart the motion of a single molecule. Energetically, it represents a shock wave, with both transverse and longitudinal wave characteristics. If you follow a single water molecule's track, it will appear to be a sudden elliptical oscillation with the longer axis being somewhat vertical.
A wave doesn't functionally began to take on its full destructive
potential until the submerged wavefront of the energy transfer
encounters the shallow bottom of the sublittoral areas just off
shore, where the bottom drag causes the shock wave to began piling up on itself. In the process, a Tsunami is unique, in that it begins to manifest as a sudden disappearance of water on shore being pulled out to sea.
This is why there are many reports of people following the water out
on foot, even gathering stranded fish, only to be caught (sadly) well beyond the safety of the higher ground. Where the littoral and
sublittoral areas have a very gradual runout, becoming deeper very
gradually, the wave rushes in as a particularly muddy front of
turbulent, frothy water. The muddy nature of the water is due to the initial outflowing of water from the shore pulling debris and sand with it. Where the littoral area drops away suddenly to extreme depths, as in some volcanic islands in the Hawaiian chain (among others), the wave "walls up" to incredible heights, showing only one half of its true amplitude in elevation above the waterline.
Huge, one-time waves might actually be possible, but you are more likely to see it at the base of a steep shoreline cliff than on the sandy beach or coastline as depicted in the Tsunami photos and films. Also note that the water will always be muddy from the initial undertow and "wall-up".
In the Hawaiian islands there are a number of sublittoral reefs offshore that cause the waves to wall up well offshore but then dissipate slowly as the water again becomes deeper moving toward shore. That's why they are the most desireable waves to ride in the world from a surfer's viewpoint. The bottom is also very irregular, consisting of millions of spikes of coral that "soften" the waves' passage, almost like a turbulent boundary layer, allowing the wave to wall up without collapsing. Some surfers describe it as horrifying, since the water just in front of the wave is only a few feet deep, and as they surf down its face, they can see what look like thousand of white railroad spikes pointing up at them as they pass! Not a good place to fall. Many have been injured, and a few have been killed in that surf. In some respects this is what happens in the case of the Tsunami, with the first signs of the approaching catastrophe manifesting as an outgoing tide. This is also why they are so dangerous to an unknowing beach bather.
My prayers go out to all those who have suffered the wrath of this natural disaster as well as those couragious souls who have gone to these areas to provide relief and medical assistance to the victims. God bless each of you!
Warmest Regards to All.
Mark

[Mark "Mack"]

say less than two hundred feet. The transfer of wave
energy permeates the entire medium from surface to the bottom, even if you only chart the motion of a single molecule. Energetically, it represents a shock wave, with both transverse and longitudinal wave characteristics. If you follow a single water molecule's track, it will appear to be a sudden elliptical oscillation with the longer axis being somewhat vertical.
A wave doesn't functionally began to take on its full destructive
potential until the submerged wavefront of the energy transfer
encounters the shallow bottom of the sublittoral areas just off
shore, where the bottom drag causes the shock wave to began piling up on itself. In the process, a Tsunami is unique, in that it begins to manifest as a sudden disappearance of water on shore being pulled out to sea.
This is why there are many reports of people following the water out
on foot, even gathering stranded fish, only to be caught (sadly) well beyond the safety of the higher ground. Where the littoral and
sublittoral areas have a very gradual runout, becoming deeper very
gradually, the wave rushes in as a particularly muddy front of
turbulent, frothy water. The muddy nature of the water is due to the initial outflowing of water from the shore pulling debris and sand with it. Where the littoral area drops away suddenly to extreme depths, as in some volcanic islands in the Hawaiian chain (among others), the wave "walls up" to incredible heights, showing only one half of its true amplitude in elevation above the waterline.
Huge, one-time waves might actually be possible, but you are more likely to see it at the base of a steep shoreline cliff than on the sandy beach or coastline as depicted in the Tsunami photos and films. Also note that the water will always be muddy from the initial undertow and "wall-up".
In the Hawaiian islands there are a number of sublittoral reefs offshore that cause the waves to wall up well offshore but then dissipate slowly as the water again becomes deeper moving toward shore. That's why they are the most desireable waves to ride in the world from a surfer's viewpoint. The bottom is also very irregular, consisting of millions of spikes of coral that "soften" the waves' passage, almost like a turbulent boundary layer, allowing the wave to wall up without collapsing. Some surfers describe it as horrifying, since the water just in front of the wave is only a few feet deep, and as they surf down its face, they can see what look like thousand of white railroad spikes pointing up at them as they pass! Not a good place to fall. Many have been injured, and a few have been killed in that surf. In some respects this is what happens in the case of the Tsunami, with the first signs of the approaching catastrophe manifesting as an outgoing tide. This is also why they are so dangerous to an unknowing beach bather.
My prayers go out to all those who have suffered the wrath of this natural disaster as well as those couragious souls who have gone to these areas to provide relief and medical assistance to the victims. God bless each of you!
Warmest Regards to All.
Mark

[Robert Wetton]

I am creating a film for school but need copyright clearance for a portion of your film could you give me written clearance

thank you

[Zoe]

Just imagine being there?? on the footage you see all the water and can you imagine the bodies desperatly fighting for their lives??? its a devastating natural disater, and one we will remeber fr the rest of our lives......please just think!! you should be so grateful that you have a house, your family and food...

[michael]

i just wanted to say how strange i is that we as man try to protect our enviorment and then tsunami wrecks coral reefs

[Jackson]

Im an Australian and I just wanted to point out a few things,

All governments want their people to believe that they are the best government, the most generous etc. Most governments control their media, therefor most people get a sugar coated version of what their government is doing. Why? Because they vote!

The Australian government donated 1 billion dollars, half in the form of grants and half in the form of long term interest free loans. The idea behind this is that Indonesia will have to rebuild their economy in order to pay it back. Its an incentive, wether it works or not, we will see. It was also only given to Indonesia, and some more cynical Australians would suggest that this has political motives as Australian political relations with Indonesia have been a bit shaky lately. AS for the Australian people, they have in private donated a significant amount, there have been at least 3 telethons raising 20 million, many relief concerts etc.

Also, if you look at a map you will see that its countries that are close to the disaster area are best placed 'logistically' to look after the disaster. Quote: 'You seem to forget that NO ONE ELSE in the entire world besides the USA has the logistical capability of shipping all the relief supplies to that region.' Mark, What I want you to do is, go to a map and draw two lines along the ocean one from America to Sri Lanka and one from Australia to Sri Lanka. Which is shorter? Australians have boats too you know, where do you think we get our cheap nikes from? Not to mention, if you knew anything about 'logistics', you would realise that it takes months to 'ship' things. So most relief has to be flown in. Also, Mark, I would like to point out that whilst people cant eat money there are other parts of these countries where money can be paid to people to truck food to the disaster area, yes thats right Mark, they have trucks too. in fact EVERYONE ELSE in the entire world has, ships, planes, trucks and 'logistics'.

Someone also suggested that us 'westerners' providing relief will reduce terrorism. I think that this is rather unlikely. Most muslims in these countries are peaceful people and not terrorists. They dont need convincing. It is small terrorist groups that could not be convinced either way.

As for the Tsunami, anyone who wants to learn about how they work go to http://science.howstuffworks.com/tsunami.htm

[Rachel]

Thank you Mark, for demonstrating my point exactly! While my comment may have been arrogant it was not uneducated. Your attitude about all other nationalities is amazing. While it is easy for you to proclaim 'logistics' and resources, how much do you actually know about the country your 'better than'. I would not want to live in your country for a year. My friend lived there for only a couple of months and got screwed over by your wonderful health care system!

Tell me, if I hadn't put our population in the comment, would you have known? I knew yours. What do you know about our history? What do you know about our relationship with the region? What do you know about world geography? Your comment clearly shows you don't know much.

While your relief (don't get me wrong, it is needed and appreciated, I'm sure) is in transit, ours was there. We had doctors, nurses and civilians on the ground only days after the tsunami. Some were there for it. Within a week, we had established shelter for thousands.

But this is all beside the point. Jackson covered that quite well. And you know what, I wasn't being arrogant, damn it!. I was stating fact. I wasn't commenting on how the money was being used (once again, thanks you Jackson, I don't need to). You are the one being arrogant by trying to argue with facts. You tried to proclaim you were doing more with out knowing what we were/are doing at all.