The most interesting is the last - the Earth rang like a bell for weeks?!Ground movement of at least 0.4 inch occurred everywhere [on earth]
The quake resulted from the longest fault rupture ever observed — 720 miles to 780 miles, which spread for 10 minutes. A typical earthquake lasts for 30 seconds.
The quake occurred where two of the giant plates that form the surface of the Earth grind together.
At that spot, the Eurasian plate was being pulled downward by the descending Indo-Australian plate. The quake released the edge of the Eurasian plate, which sprang up, lifting the ocean floor and sending the sea water off in the giant wave, the researchers reported.
They said the higher sea floor displaced so much water from the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea that sea level worldwide was raised by 0.004 inch.
In Sri Lanka, more than 1,000 miles from the epicenter, the ground moved nearly 4 inches.
The temblor also "delivered a blow to our planet" that was felt for weeks, according to a team of researchers led by Jeffrey Park of Yale University.
His group calculated that the quake caused the planet to oscillate like a bell, at periods of about 17 minutes, which scientists were able to measure for weeks afterward. A similar phenomenon was first noted in a 1960 quake in Chile.
The Sumatra earthquake, also known as the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, was caused by a rupture along the subduction zone between the Indian and Australian tectonic plates. This resulted in a devastating tsunami and sparked a significant amount of research in the aftermath to better understand and prepare for future similar events.
Through post-Sumatra quake research, scientists have learned more about the subduction zone and the potential for large earthquakes and tsunamis in the region. They have also gained a better understanding of the impacts of such events on coastal communities and how to improve warning systems.
Scientists utilize a variety of technologies in post-Sumatra quake research, including seismometers to measure ground movement, GPS to track changes in land elevation, and satellite imagery to analyze changes in the Earth's surface. They also use computer simulations to model and understand the earthquake and tsunami processes.
The knowledge and insights gained from post-Sumatra quake research have been applied to improve disaster preparedness in the region. This includes the development of early warning systems, evacuation plans, and building codes to mitigate the impacts of future earthquakes and tsunamis.
Current research priorities related to the Sumatra earthquake include improving earthquake and tsunami forecasting, understanding the long-term impacts on the region's geology and environment, and developing more resilient infrastructure and communities in at-risk areas.