Causes

• When did the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake occur?

  December 26, 2004
• What caused the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake?

  Subduction of the Indian tectonic plate under the Eurasian plate
• What was the magnitude of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake?

  9.2 magnitude
• How many people were killed by the tsunami?

  230,000 people
• What were some of the impacts of the tsunami on affected areas?

  Disrupted economies and caused trauma
• Which tourist destination was notably affected by the tsunami?

  Thailand
• What was the depth of the earthquake's hypocenter?

  30 kilometers
• How far was the hypocenter from the west coast of Sumatra?

  160 kilometers
• What geological feature caused the earthquake?

  Subduction zone between tectonic plates
• How long was the surface slip during the earthquake?

  About 15 meters
• What was the length of the plate rupture?

  400 kilometers
• How fast did the plate rupture occur?

  About 10,000 kilometers per hour
• What was the effect of the seabed rising?

  Triggered destructive tsunami waves
• How far did the tsunami waves extend geographically?

  As far as Mexico and Chile
• What was the estimated permanent rise in global sea level?

  0.1 millimeters
• How much energy was released by the earthquake?

  Equivalent to 550 million Hiroshima bombs
• How did the earthquake affect the Earth's rotation?

  Shortened the day by 2.68 microseconds
• How much did some islands shift due to the earthquake?

  Up to 36 meters southwestward
• What was the impact of the undersea landslides?

  Created a new ocean trench
• Where was the earthquake most strongly felt?

  In nearby Indonesia, particularly Aceh
• What are the key events following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake?

  • Earthquake occurred on December 26, 2004
  • Tsunami followed, causing widespread destruction
  • 230,000 fatalities across 14 countries
  • Significant economic and social disruption
  • Global attention due to impact on tourism
• What were the geological characteristics of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake?

  • Magnitude: 9.2
  • Depth: 30 kilometers
  • Hypocenter: 160 kilometers off Sumatra
  • Plate rupture: 400 kilometers long, 15 meters slip
  • Energy release: Equivalent to 550 million Hiroshima bombs
• What were the environmental impacts of the earthquake?

  • Permanent rise in sea level: 0.1 mm
  • Shift of islands: up to 36 meters
  • Altered Earth's rotation and wobble
  • Triggered massive undersea landslides
  • Created new ocean trench
• What were the immediate effects of the tsunami on coastal areas?

  • Inundation of settlements up to 30 meters
  • Disruption of local economies
  • Loss of social ties and trauma
  • Destruction of infrastructure and buildings
  • Global media coverage of the disaster