Part 2/13:

The earthquake's rupture extended over an astonishing 1,500 kilometers, making it the longest in recorded history. The seafloor abruptly moved, raising global sea levels slightly and displacing over 30 cubic kilometers of seawater. These powerful, deep-ocean waves propagated quickly, transforming into towering tsunami waves as they approached shallow coastal regions.

Devastation and Human Tragedy in Southeast Asia

The tsunami unleashed upon coastal cities across Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, and even Somalia, leaves a trail of destruction and despair. The death toll surpassed 230,000 people in 14 countries, with Aceh Province in Indonesia suffering the most catastrophic losses—167,000 lives lost, a heartbreaking toll that underscores the scale of the disaster.