Major historic tsunami

On the morning of Sunday 26 December 2004 a massive earthquake measuring 9.2 on the moment magnitude scale occurred off the west coast of northern Sumatra in Indonesia. The earthquake started approximately 250km south-southwest of Banda Aceh and ruptured the entire section of the Sunda Arc between Sumatra and the Nicobar and Andaman Islands over 1000km to the north. The resulting tsunami affected countries right across the Indian Ocean Basin.

The earthquakes generated a powerful 10m high tsunami which moved through the Indian Ocean region at more than 500km/hr. The tsunami waves caused widespread death and injuries and devastated coastal areas, destroying towns, homes, infrastructure and the livelihoods for thousands of displaced people. The worst affected countries were India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Thailand and Somalia. Bangladesh, Kenya and Australia also absorbed some of the brunt of what is seen as the most devastating natural disaster in recent memory. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent report the human toll from the disaster, at 23 March 2005, was 273 636 dead, including 220 153 in Indonesia, 7 253 missing, more than 1 590 707 displaced and in excess of 507 496 made homeless. Source: Emergency Management Australia Database

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - Center for Tsunami Research Web Links

The eruption and subsequent collapse and creation of the caldera in 1883 produced one of the largest explosions recorded on Earth, destroying much of Krakatau Island. Since 1927 small eruptions have been frequent and have constructed a new island, Anak Krakatau (Child of Krakatau). Source: Oregon State University - Volcano World, Krakatau

• United States Geological Survey - 1883 Eruption of Krakatau
• British Broadcasting Corporation - Krakatau

This earthquake occurred on All Saint's Day while many of the 250 000 inhabitants of Lisbon were in Church. Stone buildings swayed violently before collapsing and fire ravaged the city. Many who sought safety on the river front were drowned by a large tsunami. In all, one quarter of Lisbon's population perished. Source: United States Geological Survey

• British Broadcasting Corporation - The Lisbon earthquake and tsunami of 1755