December 26, 2004 M9.1 Earthquake & Indian Ocean Tsunami In the early morning hours of December 26, 2004, the Earth unleashed one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded. A massive M9.1 megathrust rupture off the coast of Sumatra violently displaced the seafloor, sending walls of water racing across the Indian Ocean. Within minutes, coastlines were swallowed. Entire communities vanished. Waves traveled thousands of kilometers, striking country after country with almost no warning. By the

Footage shows a man calmly filming on a beach as the first waves of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami begin to roll in. At the time, few people recognized the danger, mistaking the rapidly advancing water for an unusual but harmless event. Moments later, entire coastlines were erased. The tsunami would go on to ki!! hundreds of thousands, making this footage one of the most haunting examples of how quickly misunderstanding can turn into mass disaster. ➡️ Follow @thescaryfact for moments recorded sec

After a massive earthquake triggered the deadliest tsunami in recorded history, multiple waves hit the coast of Sri Lanka. Both tourists and locals scramble for safety, as the extent of the wave and its destruction become apparent. Discover the power of the human spirit through stories of hope, hardship, and heroism from the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Parts one and two of Tsunami: Race Against Time premiere tonight at 9pm on National Geographic UK. | National Geographic UK