2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami

About

The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami was a catastrophic natural disaster that occurred on December 26, 2004. It was triggered by a massive undersea earthquake with a magnitude of 9.1 to 9.3, located off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The earthquake released enormous energy, equivalent to over 23,000 Hiroshima bombs, causing widespread destruction across the Indian Ocean. The tsunami waves traveled at speeds of up to 500 km/h, affecting 14 countries and causing massive devastation along the coastlines of India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and others. The disaster resulted in an estimated 227,898 deaths and left over 1.7 million people homeless. The economic impact was significant, with losses estimated at nearly $10 billion. The response to the disaster was unprecedented, with international aid totaling over $14 billion. The tsunami led to significant improvements in tsunami warning systems and disaster preparedness in the region. It remains one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history, highlighting the importance of global cooperation in disaster response and prevention.