Indian Ocean
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2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
(also known as Sumatra-Andaman earthquake)
Details
Was an undersea earthquake
Occurred on 26th December 2004.
epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia
The earthquake triggered a series of devastating tsunamis that spread throughout the Indian Ocean, killing large numbers of people and inundating coastal communities across South and Southeast Asia, including parts of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand.
One of the deadliest disasters in modern history. The disaster is known in Asia and in the international media as the Asian Tsunami.
9.1 – 9.3 on the Richter Scale.
Earthquake was large in a geographical context. 1,200 km (750 mi) of faultline slipped about 15 m (50 ft) along the subduction zone where the India Plate dives under the Burma Plate
Took place over several minutes
The sea bed is estimated to have risen by several metres, displacing an estimated 30 kmÐÑ- (7 cu mi) of water and triggering devastating tsunami waves.
Effects
The earthquake caused massive tsunamis which killed thousands.
Initial estimates have put the worldwide death toll at over 275,000
Up to 9,000 foreign tourists (mostly Europeans) enjoying the peak holiday travel season were among the dead or missing
The United Nations declared that the relief operation was the costliest ever
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has stated that reconstruction would probably take between five and ten years. Governments and non-governmental organisations fear the final death toll may double as a result of diseases, prompting a massive humanitarian response.

This table shows the estimated death toll. (wikipedia.com)
The Indian Ocean earthquake has caused an enormous environmental impact that will affect the region for many