Appendix 3: Interview Question Sheet

Basic information
Date and time of interview:
Interviewee's name:
Location:
Where was the interviewee during the earthquake and the tsunami?
Earthquake information
Did the ground shake? How strong was it?
Describe the behavior and effect of the earthquake(s) or tremors? (e.g., spacing interval of each tremor)
How many tremor(s)? How long did it(they) last? Local time of occurrence:
Any other information
Tsunami information
Did the sea level drop and expose the reefs? Did this occur after the shaking of the ground? How far did the sea recede?
What was the behavior of the wind? Was it unusual at this time?
Describe any sounds or noise associated with the waves before, and at the time of their arrival?
Was it unusual to have this kind of rough seas at such time of the month?
Whereabouts was the first wave seen? How did they appear? How much time between each wave?
Which direction was the wave coming with respect to the shore? Oblique, perpendicular or parallel to coast.
How high were the incoming waves?
How strong did the waves strike the coast/village?
How far did the waves reach inland?
How deep was the water inland?(<waist deep)
How long did the waves stay inland?
Describe any changes the waves made in the land surface?
Were there any sightings of dead bodies? When and where were the bodies first seen? What was the appearance of the bodies?
For those who were in boats
Where were they before, during and after the tsunami?
What did the sea surface look like? How did the sea behave? Was the sea rough?
Was it unusual to have this kind of rough seas at such time of the month?
What was the behavior of the wind? Was it unusual at this time?
Did they notice any other unusual phenomenon?
Describe any sounds or noise associated with the waves before, and at the time of their arrival?
Any other information
What happened in the following days? (behavior of weather, wind, and sea)
Was there any casualties or injuries caused by the waves?
Were there any sightings of dead marine creatures?
Any deep sea or sediment deposits or unusual debris brought onshore by the waves?
Did this sort of thing happened in the past? (date if possible)
Awareness Campaign
What do you know about tsunamis?
Recognizing the signs of tsunamis-earth tremors followed by sea receding.
What to expect or suspect?
What to do in the event of a tsunami? Run to higher grounds at the first signs.
The dangers of living near the coast, especially near active trenches such as the New Guinea trench.
Have you experienced any other events like this before in your lifetime, at this same place or another? and if so, when?
Do you know of stories/legends or experiences of such events that have been handed down?