On the 26th December 2004 an earthquake with a magnitude of M=9 on the Richter scale off the coast of Sumatra resulted in a massive tsunami, which struck many countries in South East Asia and East Africa. Sri Lanka was one of the most effected countries with over 35.000 people killed by the tsunami.
At least one million people in Sri Lanka were directly affected by the tsunami, with more than 35,000 people killed and thousands more missing.
Along the northern, southern and eastern coastlines, the giant waves left a trail of destruction up to two kilometers inland in some places.
Satellite picture before the Sri Lanka Tsunami
Satellite picture from 26.12.2004 after the Sri Lanka Tsunami
