On December 26, 2004 morning walkers and fishermen residing along the eastern coast of India observed a strange phenomenon of the sea receding few hundred metres inside exposing parts of the coastal shelf. What they were observing was a precursor to the incoming gigantic tsunami waves generated due to an undersea earthquake measuring 8.9 on the Richter scale off the coast of Banda Aceh, northern Sumatra. The region’s most powerful earthquake in 40 years tore open the sea bed off Indonesia’s Sumatra, displacing billions of tonnes of water. The tsunami claimed the lives of about 230,000 people. Many victims were never found or even identified. Ten years later, we take a look back at the disaster.
Ten years later
WHEN THE SEA SURGED ONTO THE LAND
An undersea earthquake off Sumatra in Indonesia, measuring 8.9 on the Richter scale triggered a tsunami wave. The huge waves slammed the coastlines of India, Sri Lanka and South-East Asia contributing to an enormous death toll. 10 years later, we take a look back at the disaster.
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