When the Earth Shook: The Story of the Indonesian Tsunami Disaster
On the morning of December 26th, 2004, a massive 9.1 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The earthquake was one of the strongest in recorded history and lasted for nearly 10 minutes. The earthquake was so powerful that it triggered a massive tsunami that swept across the Indian Ocean, devastating coastal communities in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, and other countries.
The earthquake that caused the tsunami was located in the subduction zone where the Indian Plate is being forced underneath the Burma Plate. This fault zone is roughly 1,300 kilometers long and spans the area from the northern tip of Sumatra to the Andaman Islands. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 30 kilometers below the ocean floor, and it generated massive waves that traveled across the Indian Ocean at incredible speeds.
The first signs of the tsunami were seen in Indonesia, where the waves hit within minutes of the earthquake. The waves were reported to be as high as 30 meters in some areas, and they swept away entire villages and towns along the coast. The tsunami then moved westward across the Indian Ocean, hitting Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, and other countries.
The damage caused by the tsunami was unprecedented. The waves destroyed homes, businesses, and…
