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Disasters in The Movies 3
Disasters in The Movies 3
The Impossible was a movie based on what is possibly the deadliest tsunami in history. It
centers around one family's story of hope and survival during, and in the aftermath of the 2004
Indian Ocean Tsunami. In the movie, there was no sign that an earthquake had happened, or that
a tsunami was in its way. People were caught by surprise, because there was no warning
systems in place. Witnesses say that the ocean near the beach suddenly and rapidly began to
recede an unusual distance, exposing sea floor never before seen. A few people recognized this
as a warning of the danger to come and were able to escape to higher ground. Moments before
the wave struck, a sudden wind started blowing simple things away, and animals on the earth
and in the sky, sensing that something was wrong, were seen fleeing inland.
Witnesses said that the approaching tsunami sounded like three freight trains or the roar
of a jet. A terrifying noise that scared and paralyzed many who were in that situation. With the
noise everyone turned to see and encounter the waves coming and destroying everything.
The wave itself was only about 50 cm high in the open ocean, but it was extremely long -
traveling at up to 800 km/h about the same speed as a jet airliner. As it entered shallower water
near coastlines, it started to slow and build. Waves got up to 15 meters when it hit the coastline.
The distance the waves travelled inland was up to 2000 meters. The reason the waves were so
devastating, is that much of the coast affected was very low lying, so the water could continue to
carrying debris, cars and everything in front of it. It is impossible to run from it. If caught by it,
the chance of survival is minimum, because the cuts, hits and pressing against walls or against
It was clear during the movie, to see how precarious the situation was for the people
caught by this tsunami. Besides been lost, separated from loved ones, and being surrounded by
devastation, there was no clean water or food available. The cuts and injuries suffered by many,
were in danger of becoming infected by the contaminated water, full of corpses and dead
This movie did a good job of showing the magnitude of this natural disaster and the scale
of suffering the people had to endure. It also prompted the sympathy, support and assistance
given from strangers to the victims. The hospital were short in personal, and short in
commodities, but they did their best with what they had in a situation like this. The locals didnt
wait around for outside help to arrive, instead, they did go far and abroad, looking for ways they
the disaster. In the end, it is of the human nature to succor the afflicted in any ways needed, be it
to volunteer our time, or donate goods and money. With each disaster and calamity comes the
Osborne, Hannah. "Boxing Day tsunami: The facts about the 2004 Indian Ocean disaster."
International Business Times UK. N.p., 24 Mar. 2017. Web. 03 Aug. 2017.
Pickrell, John. "Facts and Figures: Asian Tsunami Disaster." New Scientist. N.p., 20 Jan.
"The Deadliest Tsunami in HIstory?" National Geographic. National Geographic Society, n.d.
"11 Facts About the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami." DoSomething.org | Volunteer for Social