Through the International Charter “Space and Major Disasters,” the Canadian Space Agency is currently leading a group of international partners in coordinating the provision of space-based imaging to help mitigate the effects of this tragedy. Satellite images and data (from satellites like Canada’s RADARSAT, as well as IRS, SPOT, LANDSAT, MERIS/ASAR ENVISAT, ASTER) are used to better evaluate the impact of the disaster. Space-based technology is an essential tool to support and aid rescue efforts and alleviate the effects of disasters on human life.
Visit the Charter’s website to view images of the disaster at
http://www.disasterscharter.org
For more information on the Canadian Space Agency, visit;
http://www.space.gc.ca
The tsunami was caused by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, the massive tsunami struck Sri Lanka on 26th December 2004, killing over 140,000 people.