2004 Tsunami
On December 26, 2004, the world's most powerful earthquake in more than 40 years struck deep under the Indian Ocean off the west coast of Sumatra, triggering a massive tsunami. One of the things that made this event particularly destructive is that the tsunamis struck relatively well-populated areas in the middle of the tourist-packed holiday season. Here is a timeline of the disaster:12:59 am - A massive 9.0 earthquake occurs in the Indian Ocean off Sumatra, Indonesia. The quake is so large it is felt in the neighboring countries of Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. Huge buildings in the Thai capital of Bangkok shake under the force of the earthquake and its aftershocks. Bangkok is 1,242 miles (nearly 2,000 km) from where the earthquake took place.
1:07 am - After the quake, stations in Australia alert the NOAA Pacific Tsunami Warning Center of the earthquake and the potential tsunami threat. There are widely conflicting reports from different sources about the size of the quake. Different reports put the earthquake at magnitudes varying between 6.6 and 8.9. At the same time, an Indonesian radio station reports the death of nine villagers as the result of a tidal wave.
 Photo courtesy DigitalGlobe Kalutara, Sri Lanka - receding waters |
 Photo courtesy DigitalGlobe Kalutara flooding close-up - receding waters |
2:27 am - The massive waves hit Kalmunai, Sri Lanka.
2:30 am - Kattankudy is hit. By now, almost the entire east coast of Sri Lanka is under 9 feet (2.7 meters) of water.
2:40 am - Over the next 15 minutes, Batticaloa, Mullaitivu and Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, are hit. Yala, Thailand, is also struck by the tsunami. Though it has not yet been reported, more than 15,000 people have died.
2:57 am - News wire services release the first report: "Earthquake sets off big waves." Reports of heavy damage and fatalities began to come in from Thailand's Phukit resort area. The official death toll is still nine. All reports are unclear, and the numbers are unconfirmed.
 Photo courtesy DigitalGlobe Beach damage in Kalutara |
3:00 am - An AFP news correspondent in Colombo, Sri Lanka, gets a phone call from reporters in Trinco: "The sea is coming in." In the same moment, Valvettiturai and Hambantota are hit. Almost 7,000 people are washed out to sea.
3:15 am - A Washington Post correspondent reports a tsunami hitting Weligama, Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan provinces of Matara, Galle and Panadura are also hit. Another 5,000 people die.
3:20 am - Loaded with European tourists, the Sri Lankan resort Rae of Kalutara is hit. Satellite imagery reveals the water reaching 500 yards (460 meters) in from the shore line.
3:30 am - The AFP news correspondent in Colombo gets a call from Matara indicating that a second round of waves is coming. Waves hit the Indian coast. PTWC begins getting wire reports from the Internet about Sri Lankan casualties. Negombo, Sri Lanka, is hit.
3:46 am - AFP news reports massive casualties and numbers of homeless in Sri Lanka.
4:11 am - Rapidly rising water levels in India damage the coastline. Some small tremors are felt.
5:00 am - PTWC advises the U.S. Pacific Command in Hawaii of the potential threat of more tsunamis in the western Indian Ocean.
5:13 am - Sri Lanka deploys the military and asks India for help.
5:41 am - The Prime Minister of Thailand orders the evacuation of three major provinces, including Phukit.
6:09 am - In a few hours, the tsunami has all but crossed the ocean, flooding Male, the capitol of Maldives.
7:15 am - The PTWC advises the U.S. State Department on the continuing threat of tsunamis in Madagascar and Africa. In the next few hours, organized relief efforts begin.
