2004 Indian Ocean tsunami

The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was triggered by a massive underwater earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, measuring 9.1 on the Richter scale. This earthquake caused the ocean floor to shift dramatically, displacing huge volumes of water and generating powerful waves. On December 26, 2004, these waves struck the coasts of several countries, including Indonesia, Thailand, India, and others, resulting in catastrophic destruction and loss of life. The tsunami killed over 230,000 people and displaced millions, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in history. It highlighted the need for better tsunami warning systems and disaster preparedness.