<P> The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake occurred at 00 : 58 : 53 UTC on 26 December , with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra , Indonesia , a moment magnitude of 9.1 -- 9.3 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX ( Violent ) . It was an undersea megathrust earthquake caused by rupture along the fault between the Burma Plate and the subducting Indian Plate . The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake triggered a series of devastating tsunamis up to 30 metres ( 100 ft ) high , inundating coastal communities along the coasts of the Indian Ocean and killing an estimated 227,898 people in 14 countries . The earthquake was one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history , the deadliest of the 21st century so far . Indonesia was the hardest - hit country , followed by Sri Lanka , India , and Thailand . </P>
<P> The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake occurred at 00 : 58 : 53 UTC on 26 December , with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra , Indonesia , a moment magnitude of 9.1 -- 9.3 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX ( Violent ) . It was an undersea megathrust earthquake caused by rupture along the fault between the Burma Plate and the subducting Indian Plate . The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake triggered a series of devastating tsunamis up to 30 metres ( 100 ft ) high , inundating coastal communities along the coasts of the Indian Ocean and killing an estimated 227,898 people in 14 countries . The earthquake was one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history , the deadliest of the 21st century so far . Indonesia was the hardest - hit country , followed by Sri Lanka , India , and Thailand . </P>
how high was the wave of the 2004 tsunami
how high was the wave of the 2004 tsunami
up to 30 metres ( 100 ft ) high
up to 30 metres ( 100 ft ) high