On December 26, 2004, a magnitude 9.1 earthquake occurred off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. This earthquake, which is now known as the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake, was among the largest ever recorded. The quake caused a devastating tsunami that affected Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.
The tsunami was caused by a displacement of the seafloor that resulted in a large wave. This wave was capable of traveling great distances, and it affected coastal communities all around the …