Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Tsunami waves caused by 2004 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake

Detailed Description

Tsunami waves, view to the northwest

This animation shows the evolution of tsunami waves caused by the December 26, 2004 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake. Because it takes approximately 8 minutes for the entire fault to break, tsunami waves generated near the epicenter have propagated part way into the Bay of Bengal by the time the earthquake has just started to generate more tsunami waves near the Andaman Islands. These waves then cross the Andaman Sea toward Thailand.

Sources/Usage