Two decades of scientific output on the 2004 Sumatra/Andaman earthquake and Indian Ocean tsunami: an analysis of scientific output using Scopus data

Abstract

This study uses a bibliometric approach to analyze scientific output on the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami caused by a magnitude 9.1-9.3 earthquake on the Sunda fault. The overall objective was to investigate scientific production, with a specific focus on publication sources, temporal distribution, frequent keywords, thematic evolution, keyword co-occurrence, production by country, and collaboration patterns. The research used the Scopus database, with a comprehensive search expression, limited to articles and conferences. Data from 2,961 documents were processed using RStudio, Biblioshiny, and Bibliometrix. Results show that “Natural Hazards” led the publications. Production peaked between 2006-2008, followed by a gradual decline. “Tsunami” was the most frequent keyword. The evolution revealed a shift in focus from physical-geological aspects to “disaster risk reduction,” “mitigation,” and “management.” Co-occurrence analysis identified three clusters: geographical/dynamic description, geological origin, and human/social impact, with less integration between them. Indonesia, India, and the United States were the most productive countries, with strong collaboration between Indonesia and the US, and between Europe and Southeast Asia. The study highlights multidisciplinarity, the evolution of scientific interest, and the importance of international collaboration to mitigate disaster impacts.