The Catastrophic 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami: A Global Tragedy
The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, a megathrust event, struck at 00:58:53 UTC on December 26, off Sumatra, Indonesia. Triggered by the subduction of the Indian Plate beneath the Burma Plate, this disaster unleashed tsunamis reaching 30 meters (100 ft) high, affecting 14 countries and claiming over 230,000 lives. Initially measured at a moment magnitude of 8.8, scientists later revised it to 9.0, making it one of the most powerful earthquakes in recorded history. This devastating event reshaped coastal communities and highlighted the need for better tsunami warning systems.
The Catastrophic 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami: A Global Tragedy
E N D
Presentation Transcript
The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea megathrust earthquake that occurred at 00:58:53 UTC on Sunday, 26 December 2004, with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia
The earthquake was caused when the Indian Plate was subducted by the Burma Plate and triggered a series of devastating tsunamis along the coasts of most landmasses bordering the Indian Ocean, killing over 230,000 people in fourteen countries, and inundating coastal communities with waves up to 30 meters (100 ft) high.
The earthquake was initially documented as moment magnitude 8.8. In February 2005 scientists revised the estimate of the magnitude to 9.0
Since 1900 the only earthquakes recorded with a greater magnitude were the 1960 Great Chilean Earthquake (magnitude 9.5) and the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake in Prince William Sound (9.2). The only other recorded earthquakes of magnitude 9.0 or greater were off Kamchatka, Russia, on 4 November 1952 (magnitude 9.0)
