information+the+affects+of+a+recent+tsunami

**Indian Ocean Tsunami** On the 26th of December 2004, a massive earthquake was created on the ocean floor 200km away from the west coast of northern Sumatra in Indonesia. It measured 9.3 on the richter scale, making it the largest earthquake in 40 years. But the earthquake was not the only thing that was created that day. A massive tsunami followed the earthquake and hit 12 countries including Islands. The was just about no warning about the tsunami. So the wave devastated farms, towns, lives and the infrastructure of the citys/towns.

229,886 people have been declared dead and still missing across 12 countries. The number includes those who died from the wave and those who passed from diseases, injuries and hunger. Many of those who perished where tourists and citizens. An estimated 1.7 million people where effected by the natural disaster, whether they lost their homes, cherished items or family members. Years after the tsunami people are still trying to get back on their feet. Damage is still being repaired and public infrastructure is being rebuilt.

So why did this destructive tsunami occur? It was caused by an earthquake that made sea floor suddenly rise along 1300 km running north south of the plate boundary. The undersea topography changed drastically in seconds, causing ridges, trenches and landslides. The energy was directed outward towards the west, across the Indian ocean. Islands and countries across the Indian ocean where devastated by the tsunami.

Countries hit by the tsunami (not including Islands):
 * India
 * Indonesia
 * Malaysia
 * Maldives
 * Myanmar
 * Somalia
 * Sri Lanka
 * Thailand



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