Overall Cost Damage
The overall cost damage due to the earthquake and tsunami was about $10 billion. Because there was so much damage, many countries came together to donate money to help rebuild the affected areas. With all the countries coming together about $14 billion was donated.
Ground/Buildings Impact
Not only did the country face many deaths the land, buildings, and roads were turned to rubble. The impact on the region may affect it for years to come. Some ecosystems like mangroves, coral reefs, forests, coastal wetlands, sand dunes, and rock formations have been seriously damaged. Some environmental liquids also leaked out. According to specialists, “the main effect is being caused by poisoning of the freshwater supplies and the soil by saltwater infiltration and deposit of a salt layer over arable land. It has been reported that in the Maldives, 16 to 17 coral reef atolls that were overcome by sea waves are completely without fresh water and could be rendered uninhabitable for decades. Uncountable wells that served communities were invaded by sea, sand and earth; and aquifers were invaded through porous rock. Salted-over soil becomes sterile, and it is difficult and costly to restore for agriculture. It also causes the death of plants and important soil micro-organisms. Thousands of rice, mango and banana plantations in Sri Lanka were destroyed almost entirely and will take years to recover. On the island's east coast, the tsunami contaminated wells on which many villagers relied for drinking water.” (Wikipedia)