On December 26, 2004, a massive earthquake in the Indian Ocean triggered a catastrophic tsunami that affected numerous countries bordering the Indian Ocean. The earthquake, measuring 9.1-9.3 on the Richter scale, generated waves that reached heights of up to 30 meters (100 feet). The tsunami caused widespread destruction and loss of life in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, and other regions. The event remains one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history.