When: December 26, 2004.

Who: The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami affected multiple countries, particularly Indonesia.What: A massive tsunami triggered by a 9.1 magnitude earthquake.Where: Primarily impacted Aceh province, Indonesia, along with parts of Thailand, India, and Sri Lanka.

Why: The earthquake occurred along the boundary of the Indo-Australian and Eurasian tectonic plates, causing a sudden displacement of the ocean floor.

Who: The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami had a devastating impact on numerous countries across the region, with Indonesia being the most severely affected nation. In particular, the Aceh province bore the brunt of the disaster, where the local population faced unimaginable loss, with entire families wiped out and communities shattered. Other countries that experienced significant damage included Thailand, which was popular with tourists, especially in areas like Phuket and Khao Lak, where the waves wreaked havoc on bustling beach resorts. India, particularly in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, saw extensive destruction, while Sri Lanka, with its picturesque coastline, faced catastrophic impacts that displaced thousands of residents. The tsunami's reach extended to several other nations, including the Maldives, where islands were submerged, Myanmar, which experienced flooding, and even parts of East Africa, such as Somalia, illustrating the widespread nature of this catastrophic event and its global implications.

What: This catastrophic event was triggered by a massive tsunami that originated from a 9.1 magnitude earthquake, one of the strongest recorded in history. The earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, generating enormous waves that raced across the Indian Ocean at high speeds, sometimes exceeding 800 kilometers per hour (about 500 miles per hour). These towering waves, some reaching heights of over 30 meters (approximately 100 feet), inundated coastal areas, leading to widespread destruction of homes, infrastructure, and natural habitats. The tsunami not only caused immediate physical damage but also resulted in long-term environmental consequences, altering the landscape and ecosystems in affected regions, disrupting marine life, and causing soil erosion that would take years to recover from.

Where: The tsunami primarily impacted the Aceh province of Indonesia, where entire communities were wiped out and infrastructure was decimated. Coastal towns such as Banda Aceh and Meulaboh were particularly hard hit, with many residents losing their lives and homes in a matter of minutes. Additionally, Thailand's western coast, especially popular tourist destinations like Phuket and Khao Lak, faced severe destruction, resulting in a tragic loss of both local lives and international tourists. In India, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands experienced substantial damage, with entire villages swept away, while the southeastern coast of the mainland also faced significant impacts. Sri Lanka, with its extensive coastline, saw waves crashing into its shores, affecting thousands of residents and displacing entire communities, leading to a humanitarian crisis that required international aid.

When: The tragic event unfolded on December 26