Plate Tectonics and Energy Release The Earth's lithosphere is broken into tectonic plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere below. The phenomenon known as "runup" occurred, where the water rushed inland, often traveling kilometers away from the coastline.
Earthquake Mechanics and Tectonic Processes Behind the 2004 Tsunami
In the region of the 2004 earthquake, the Indian Plate converges with the Burma Plate at a rate of about 6 centimeters per year. The sheer scale of the event left entire communities obliterated and claimed over 230,000 lives across 14 countries.
The Seismic Trigger: The Sumatra-Andaman Earthquake The genesis of the 2004 tsunami was a megathrust earthquake with a magnitude estimated between 9. To conserve energy, the wave height began to increase dramatically.
2004 Tsunami Earthquake Mechanics: The Megathrust Trigger
In some areas, the runup reached staggering heights of 30 meters (100 feet), overwhelming coastal defenses and sweeping away everything in its path. Shoaling and Runup: The Deadly Transformation The true destructive power of the tsunami was unleashed when the waves approached the coastline.
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