The tsunami had incredible power. It reached a height of 15 metres and smashed through hundreds of towns and villages in 13 countries. It drowned many people in their homes or on the beaches. It dragged many others out to sea. It destroyed property from Africa to Thailand. In total, more than 2228,000 people died and millions were left homeless.
Tsunami are usually caused by earthquakes under the sea. The earthquakes cause giant waves to travel out wards in all directions. The waves can be 30 metres high and travel as fast as 750 kilometres an hour. When they reach shallow water they slow down, but they can grow even bigger before they smash into the coast