What is a tsunami?

Tsunamis are giant waves caused by earthquakes or

volcanic eruptions under the sea. Out in the depths of the
ocean, tsunami waves do not dramatically increase in
height. But as the waves travel inland, they build up to
higher and higher heights as the depth of the ocean
decreases.

2004 Indian Ocean tsunami

The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami occurred on 26

December, with an epicenter off the west coast of
northern Sumatra, Indonesia. It was an undersea mega
thrust earthquake that registered a magnitude of 9.1–
9.3 Mw, Communities along the surrounding coasts of the
Indian Ocean were devastated, and the tsunamis killed an
estimated 227,898 people in 14 countries, making it one of
the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history. The
direct results caused major disruptions to living conditions
and commerce in coastal provinces of surrounded
countries, including Aceh (Indonesia), Sri Lanka, Tamil
Nadu (India) and Khao Lak (Thailand). Banda
Aceh reported the largest number of deaths.