Echoes of History Beautiful Sites Where the World Was Forever Changed

27. The Indian Ocean – The Wave That Changed Global Disaster Response

The Indian Ocean tsunami of December 26, 2004, was one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history, killing over 230,000 people across 14 countries. It struck with almost no warning, devastating coastlines from Indonesia to Sri Lanka and as far as Africa. However, this tragedy led to the creation of the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System, a global early-warning network designed to prevent similar future catastrophes. Today, the locations affected by the tsunami have been rebuilt, and memorials stand in places like Banda Aceh, Indonesia, and Phuket, Thailand, reminding us how nature's fury reshaped global disaster preparedness.