The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami
A natural disaster that killed 225,000+ people and ended a civil war
On the morning of December 26, 2004 around 30 kilometres under the seabed, tectonic plates began shifting violently against one another.
Map of the deaths, missing, and displaced due to the tsunami.
Suddenly, and without much warning, these massive waves would consume hundreds of thousands of people, homes, cities, farmland, and so much more.
The rubble of their communities surrounded the people who did survive. 1.7 million people were displaced and were now dealing with not having access to basic necessities.
The seawater quickly destroyed the soil, vegetation, and crops. It even got into the underground aquifers and left many needing access to clean drinking water.
Over 92,000 farms were affected by the tsunami, leaving over 60,000 farmers jobless. Local fisheries also suffered, taking away the livelihoods of over 300,000 people.
The tourism industry was also heavily damaged, which was a main source of income for many of the coastal communities. With several vacationing spots now in shambles, there was 40% less tourism in many countries over the course of the years following.
