The boundary between two major tectonic plates results in high seismic activity in the region ( see List of earthquakes in Indonesia ) . Numerous earthquakes have been recorded , and at least six , in 1797 , 1833 , 1861 , 2004 , 2005 , and 2007 , had the magnitude of 8.4 or higher . On 26 December 2004 , a large portion of the boundary between the Burma plate and the Indo-Australian plate slipped , causing the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake . This megathrust earthquake had a magnitude of 9.3 . Between 1,300 and 1,600 kilometers of the boundary underwent thrust faulting and shifted by about 20 meters , with the sea floor being uplifted several meters . This rise in the sea floor generated a massive tsunami with an estimated height of that killed approximately 280,000 people along the coast of the Indian Ocean . The initial quake was followed by a series of aftershocks along the arc of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands . The entire event severely damaged the fishing infrastructure
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami
Andaman Sea