Few forces on earth can match the destructive power of a tsunami. These lethal ocean waves can literally rip a person apart. Even concrete buildings are often no match for the brutality of the rushing water. When a tsunami hits, nearly everything it touches can be demolished.
The day after Christmas in 2004, a devastating earthquake occurred on the sea floor underneath the Indian Ocean. This earthquake measured over 9.0 on the Richter scale, making it one of the most powerful ever recorded. It was so powerful, in fact, that the entire planet experienced vibrations from it. The earthquake also generated a tsunami that devastated most of the Asian nations that were unfortunate enough to have coastlines along the Indian Ocean.
The tsunami affected many countries. One of the worst hit nations was Indonesia. Because the earthquake that started the tsunami originated off the coast of Indonesia, that nation was in a prime position to experience the brunt of the tsunami’s fury.
For those who have never experienced a tsunami, being caught up in one is a terrifying, confusing experience. A lack of knowledge about what a tsunami is, what causes it and what to do in case of one contributes to that confusion. Not knowing how to recognize the signs of an impending tsunami or how to react when one is approaching could greatly lessen a person’s chances for survival. That is why it is so important to have the appropriate information on tsunamis.
What is a tsunami? Hundreds of thousands of people all over the world have first-hand experience of this devastating natural disaster, but for many people, it is an unfamiliar phenomenon. Partly because tsunamis have been relatively rare over the past hundred years, many lack understanding regarding what exactly a tsunami is.