M9.1 Tsunami

2004 Indonesia / Indian Ocean Earthquake

Sumatra-Andaman Islands, Indian Ocean — December 26, 2004

The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami is one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history. The earthquake triggered a series of devastating tsunamis along the coasts of most landmasses bordering the Indian Ocean, killing nearly 228,000 people in 14 countries.

Earthquake Facts

Magnitude

M9.1

Date

Dec 26, 2004

Depth

30 km

Deaths

227,898

Latitude

3.295°

Longitude

95.982°

Tsunami

Yes

Region

Indonesia / Indian Ocean

Tectonic Cause

Caused by the subduction of the India Plate under the Burma Plate. The fault rupture extended 1,300 km and vertical displacement reached 5 meters.

Aftermath in Pictures

Photos from Wikimedia Commons — open licenses (CC / Public Domain)

Images sourced from Wikimedia Commons under open licenses. Attribution required where specified. Click any image to enlarge.

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