⏰ when

When did the Indian Ocean tsunami strike?

TsunamisNatural disasters

Quick Answer

The Indian Ocean tsunami struck on 26 December 2004 after a massive undersea earthquake off Sumatra.

The Full Story

The Indian Ocean tsunami was triggered on 26 December 2004 by a magnitude 9.1–9.3 earthquake off the west coast of northern Sumatra. It killed around 230,000 people across multiple countries, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in modern history. Waves reached coastlines around the Indian Ocean within hours, devastating places from Indonesia to Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, and East Africa. The disaster led to major improvements in tsunami warning systems across the region.

Key Facts

1.Date: 26 December 2004
2.Earthquake magnitude: about 9.1–9.3
3.Death toll: about 230,000

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Suggested video title for this topic:

"The tsunami that changed global warning systems forever"