<P> The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake occurred at 00 : 58 : 53 UTC on 26 December with the epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra , Indonesia . The shock had a moment magnitude of 9.1 -- 9.3 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX ( Violent ) . The undersea megathrust earthquake was caused when the Indian Plate was subducted by the Burma Plate and triggered a series of devastating tsunamis along the coasts of most landmasses bordering the Indian Ocean , killing 230,000 -- 280,000 people in 14 countries , and inundating coastal communities with waves up to 30 metres ( 100 ft ) high . It was one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history . 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 the epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra , Indonesia . The shock had a moment magnitude of 9.1 -- 9.3 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX ( Violent ) . The undersea megathrust earthquake was caused when the Indian Plate was subducted by the Burma Plate and triggered a series of devastating tsunamis along the coasts of most landmasses bordering the Indian Ocean , killing 230,000 -- 280,000 people in 14 countries , and inundating coastal communities with waves up to 30 metres ( 100 ft ) high . It was one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history . Indonesia was the hardest - hit country , followed by Sri Lanka , India , and Thailand . </P>
where did the boxing day tsunami take place
where did the boxing day tsunami take place
epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra
epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra