The non-tsunami of 2012

As many of you know, there was a large earthquake and subsequent tsunami warning for the Indian Ocean yesterday. The earthquake occurred in an area very similar to the one that triggered the December 26th, 2004 tsunami that caused major destruction to the region – especially here in Khao Lak. We had a very busy day and it stirred emotions – but in the end it was simply a warning and nothing happened.

With all the founders of Wicked Diving and a few of our staff having been through the 2004 tsunami – we were able to base many of of actions and reactions upon experience rather than hype. We anted to relay some of what occurred here yesterday.

First off was preparation and planning. After having some false alarms in recent years and non-functional warning buoys placed by regional governments – we have sought resources for correct information. Several of us use a great early warning system to keep notified of potential problems – bee they earthquakes, tsunamis or even volcanoes. Free, efficient and based on factual evidence is GDACS which has been set up by the EU as a free service to people around the world. You can register to received emails and/or SMS’s here: http://register.gdacs.org/. Upon getting informed of the tsunami through system this we quickly put in motion several actions.

One person went online to confirm the information and look up warnings and possible risks. The source for tsunami warning that is most effective and data driven is the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, which is set up and run by the US government. They have a section on Indian Ocean  at this link: http://ptwc.weather.gov/?region=3. This site issued a “Watch” and not an actual “Warning” as the data seemed to show that the earthquake was not a tsunami producing vertical earthquake, rather it was a horizontal. This gave us some relief. However, several other government bodies had issued tsunami warnings – so we heeded the collective advisories and acted accordingly. In addition, the Thailand Tsunami Warning system worked very efficiently and klaxons and a warnings were issued though out the region throughout the tsunami warning system.( for more information on why some earthquakes produce tsunamis and some don’t: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/why-earthquake-did-not-cause-a-tsunami-20120412-1wvik.html)

Another of our staff contacted  all our staff. We had staff and guests located in several places – Liveaboard at the Similan Islands, Liveaboard at the Surin Islands, Staff on the Surin Islands, conducting training sessions at the swimming pool and diving in Khao Sok Park. We contacted all staff to let them know of the warnings issued and the appropriate reactions.

A major issue that worried us was communication. The phones – both mobile and landlines – were jammed from overuse.  Only 1 in 20 attempts at calls got through. However, Wicked Diving also uses Satellite phones and we were able to get through quickly and efficiently. the radios were still functional but overwhelmed with rumors and false data…essentially they become white noise generators rather than useful tools.

For our liveaboards, which were both at sea, we cancelled any dives planned and moved them away from landmass. When tsunamis are still int he open oceans, they are simply a rise and drop in the water levels – there is no actual curling wave. It is only near a landmass that the rise in water levels creates waves. Thus –  the safest place was away. Once positioned there, the liveaboards and all guests and staff were safe.

Our instructor doing pool work was informed and took her guest to higher ground. Again, direct calls were problematic, but messenger and email functioned just fine.

Our main concern was for the staff and guests on the Surin Islands. As we had quite a bit of trouble with direct calls and the staff there only had “dumb” phones – so they are restricted to purely calls and SMS. Eventually we were able to break through and contact. By this time the rangers on the Surin Islands had already done a brilliant job of alerting and moving all guests to higher ground. They had a very detailed plan in case of tsunamis and had immediately began preparing food and water in case people had to stay on higher ground for more than a few hours. Our staff and guests were all impressed with the planning and calm attitude!

Of all our staff and guests – we were least worried about those in Khao Sok. There was no chance a tsunami could hit an inland lake. However – in all of Thailand – it appears they had the most damage! The earthquake was felt by our divers while diving in a cavern. While the earthquake was not strong it was enough to cause some small waves. These overturned several long tails while on the lake! Who knew?!

Once we had communications with all staff and guests and had their safety assured – we then sat down and monitored all the news feeds and updated those outside through our Facebook page and emails. For such a major event, there was surprisingly little up to the minute information. After we heard that Sumatra, the closest point of land to the earthquake, suffered only the slighter rise in water levels (a few centimeters) we started to relax. When the expected landfall time of a possible wave passed without any damage – we all started to feel much better. When the “warnings” were lifted, we let all staff, guests and boats know that the threat was over and to return to normal routine.

Having been through a tsunami before, and a couple of false reports of them – we know the biggest worry was not locally, but for those at home. The is often a great deal of misinformation in the western media and news stories favor dramatic footage versus those showing nothing happening. We took it upon ourselves to use the “emergency contacts” supplied by all our guests and contacted them to let them know that everyone was safe and in good spirits. This was deeply appreciated by all.

Finally, after all this was done – we sat down and had a cold beer.


Tsunamis and earthquakes are acts of Mother Earth over which we have no control. However we can prepare, we can plan for the various outcomes and we have the correct supplies in case of emergency. In addition having open and functional channels of communications to both our guests and to those on the outside are essential. We are deeply relieved that there was no tsunami.

-Wicked Diving, Thailand