On the morning of December 26th, 2004, a 9.1 earthquake struck in the Indian Ocean, triggering a tsunami. Along Thailand’s west coast, tourists like Ed and Helen Muesch, and residents like fisherman Wimon Thongtae went about their days, as usual. They were all unaware that a massive wave was heading straight toward them. By the time they realized the threat, ... Show More
Nov 2025
Tsunami in Thailand | Overtaken | 2
As the wave barreled ashore on Thailand’s west coast, people were sucked under a powerful wall of water that was so strong it ripped the clothes off their backs. It separated husbands from wives, and parents from their children. Six miles out to sea, fisherman Wimon Thongtae race ... Show More
30m 14s
Nov 2025
Tsunami in Thailand | Devastation | 3
As the force of the waves lessened, survivors faced a new problem: they were trapped in the mass of debris the tsunami generated. Stuck between a swirl of cars, building remains, and dead bodies, the survivors resorted to extreme measures to reach safety. Dozens of tourists were ... Show More
31m 15s
Jun 2020
The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami Pt. 1
On December 26th, 2004, the beaches of Indonesia and Thailand were brimming with tourists on their Christmas holidays. That morning, one of the largest earthquakes in recorded history struck just off the western shore of Sumatra, startling locals and tourists alike. But the quake ... Show More
37m 6s
Jul 2020
The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami Pt. 2
The tsunami rose out of the ocean on the morning of December 26th, 2004, after a 9.2 magnitude earthquake. After wreaking havoc in Indonesia, the wave continued toward Thailand. Thousands of victims were in its path, and the destruction would change the beaches forever. Learn mor ... Show More
37m 44s
Jan 2024
Indian Ocean Tsunami
On the morning of December 26th, 2004, a massive earthquake struck the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, triggering an enormous tsunami that hit Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, and more. Killing at least 275,000 people, and impacting 20 countries, it remains the deadliest ... Show More
55m 21s
Oct 2019
The 2011 Tōhoku Tsunami Pt. 2
Following one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded, Japan was buffeted by an unbelievably powerful tsunami. Although they had attempted to prepare for such a disaster, their defenses were easily overthrown, and the result was one of the most devastating nuclear disaster ... Show More
42m 27s
Dec 2024
Indian Ocean tsunami - Tamil Nadu
On 26 December 2004, an earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia sparking a tsunami which swept away entire communities around the Indian Ocean. In India, Choodamani and Karibeeran Paramesvaran’s children Rakshanya, 12, Karuyna, nine, and Kirubasan, five, were killed. A beref ... Show More
9m 12s
Sep 2019
Krakatoa Pt. 2: The Explosion Heard ‘Round The World
After the first eruption of Krakatoa on August 26th, 1883, the citizens of the Sunda Strait may have assumed the worst was over. But they were about to experience a tsunami that would be the first of many over the next 24 hours. On top of this, pyroclastic flows were on their way ... Show More
48m 59s