RGB Images

2004 RGB












2005 RGB













2009 RGB












In order to witness the destruction of the tsunami in 2004, we collected images before the tsunami hit, images a couple of months after the tsunami, and images from present day. These images were collected from a LANDSAT satellite which we downloaded for free off the internet. With these images, we used a program software ENVI, to manipulate the data, by first putting it into RGB color, which gives it color equivalent to what the human eye sees. In these images alone, one can see destruction very clearly.

The 2004 images, taken prior to the tsunami, shows Banda Aceh of Indonesia, very green and full of healthy vegetation. When placed side by side with the image taken in 2005 after the tsunami, it is very evident the amount of destruction Banda Aceh suffered. The three areas, in which we focused our study and gathered evidence from include, Banda Aceh, Lhonga, and Pulau Peunasu. Looking at the 2005 image the land is brown and barren, and this shows where the brunt of the devastation took place. The tsunami wiped out healthy vegetation and destroyed agricultural and residential land, leaving it in ruins. The coastline is another strong indicator of the power of this tsunami having been completely wiped out. It clearly doesn't have the same linear structure compared to the 2004 image. The image taken in 2009 is used to show how much the area has recovered since tsunami. The return of green, healthy vegetation shows that the ecosystem is recovering well, and appears very similar to the image taken prior to the disaster. It also shows the rebuilding and relocation of the people. There is a lot movement away from the coastline and relocation in places in higher elevation.