National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Fact Sheet: Indian Ocean Earthquake/Tsunami of December 26, 2004   [open pdf - 48KB]

"The December 26, 2004 event in the Indian Ocean was a rare magnitude 9.0 earthquake with an undersea source that triggered a massive tsunami. The effects of the earthquake-induced tsunami were felt throughout the Indian Ocean rim countries, resulting in estimates of more than 155,000 fatalities, 500,000 injured, and damages well in excess of $10 billion. The fact sheet was developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which serves as the NEHRP lead agency, and reflects inputs from the other NEHRP agencies: the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)."