One of the curious things about the loss of life in regions surrounding the Bay of Bengal is that some 38,195 lives were lost in Sri Lanka, whereas only 2 lives were lost in Bangladesh. How could this be? It certainly couldn’t be the difference in distance. Hint: To answer this question, you should first contour the map in Figure 9.20 (see p. 170 in the Lab book) and then follow ‘the rule.’ Note: You do not need to submit the contour map with this report

To explain why there was a significant difference in the number of lives lost in Sri Lanka compared to Bangladesh during the event being referred to, we should follow the suggested approach. Let's first reference Figure 9.20, which can be found on page 170 of the Lab book. This figure likely provides important information about the geography and topography of the region.

Once we locate and analyze Figure 9.20, we can contour the map. Contouring is a technique used to represent the shape and elevation of the land on a two-dimensional map. It involves drawing lines, called contour lines, that connect points of equal elevation.

By contouring the map, we can visualize variations in the land's elevation, which can help us understand how it might have affected the impact of the event in question. For example, areas with higher elevations might have experienced less severe effects compared to lower-lying regions.

After contouring the map, we should "follow the rule" mentioned. Unfortunately, the provided information does not clarify what "the rule" refers to. It is possible that the Lab book or additional context might explain this further. Without additional information, it is not possible to determine the specific rule or analysis required to understand the difference in the number of lives lost.

In summary, to answer the question about the discrepancy in the number of lives lost in Sri Lanka compared to Bangladesh, it is necessary to:

1. Locate and analyze Figure 9.20 on page 170 of the Lab book.
2. Contour the map provided in Figure 9.20 to understand the land's elevation and shape.
3. Follow the suggested "rule" mentioned, which likely provides further guidance on analyzing the data.

However, without additional information about the rule or further context, it is not possible to provide a more specific answer to the question.