Beach recovery after 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.pdf

Geomorphology 104 (2009) 134–142 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Geomorphology j ourna l homepage: www.e lsev ie / locate /geomorphBeach recovery after 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami from Phang-nga, Thailand Montri Choowong ?, Sumet Phantuwongraj, Thasinee Charoentitirat, Vichai Chutakositkanon, Sombat Yumuang, Punya Charusiri Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand? Corresponding author. Department of Geology, Fac University, Phrayathai, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand. Tel. 2185464. E-mail address: monkeng@ (M. Choowo 0169-555X/$ – see front matter ? 2008 Elsevier B.V. Al doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2008.08.007a b s t r a c ta r t i c l e i n f oArticle history: The 2004 Indian Ocean tsun Received 4 February 2008 Received in revised form 18 August 2008 Accepted 19 August 2008 Available online 28 August 2008 Keywords: 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami Beach recovery Accommodation space Storm surge Khao Lakami devastated the coastal areas along the Andaman western coast of Thailand and left unique physical evidence of its impact, including the erosional landforms of the pre-tsunami topography. Here we show the results from monitoring the natural recovery of beach areas at Khuk Khak and Bang Niang tidal channels of Khao Lak area, Phang-nga, Thailand. A series of satellite images before and after the tsunami event was employed for calculating the beach area and locating the position of the changed shoreline. Field surveys to follow-up the development of the post-tsunami beach area were conducted from 2005 to 2007 and the yearly beach profile was measured in 2006. As a result, the scoured beach areas where the tidal channel inlets were located underwent continuous recovery. The return of post-tsunami sediments within the beach zone was either achieved by normal wind and wave processes or during the storm surges in the rainy season. Post-2004 beach sediments were derived mainly from near offshore sources. The present situation of t