The Boxing Day Tsunami

December 26, 2004 a tragedy happened in Thailand that will never be forgotten. At about 8:00 o’clock in the morning when a 9.1 earthquake happened. For about 7 hours waves were building up and traveling to the costal area and hit the island Phuket. Most locals and tourist didn’t have a tsunami come to mind. 

It had rained the night before and then. The day of the tsunami was a beautiful day. It was almost 10:30 o’clock in the morning when the first wave hit. At this time no one had any tsunami hazarded signs. At first people were fascinated by how the water was going so far out that tourist went out to play. When the waves started coming it people couldn’t believe it and were yelling “ run, run”. Many did not make it. The tsunami got up between 50 to almost 100 feet. 

The tsunami was cause by an earthquake and the say it had the energy of 23000 Hiroshima type atomic bombs. Geologist and Seismologists say that the seafloor had been pushing against each other for years. The seafloor still do it and might cause more tsunamis in the future. The rupture was more than 600 miles long and displaced the seafloor by 10 yards side ways.

The boxing day tsunami killed more than 230,000 people across 14 countries. Locals in Indonesia said they saw animals going to high grounds and that when the tsunami hit only few animals were found dead. Many people ran away but did not make it sadly. Many Asia’s and tourist were reported dead or missing. A police boat had went across inland and the police inside it were luckily alive. They were in the ocean because the Kings Granddaughter was out and playing but sadly the wave took her life. Thai’s marked a place near Loma Park on Patong Beach and hold a ceremony every 26th of December. After people found out the tragedy they started donating and going to Thailand to help. Many brought tents, food, water and blankets. The world vision of Thailand foundation helped extremely and many celebrities donated. Bethany Hamilton (Pro surfer and lost her left arm to a shark attack) went with the group and helped. She got kids to go back to the water and taught some how to surf. Many people went and loved on the locals who lost everything they had.That day will never be forgotten. 

After ten years it looks like paradise and more and more people go to Phuket. Now locals have put up tsunami hazard signs and place to go if a tsunami happens. “The best defense against any tsunami is early warning that allows people to seek higher ground.”(National Geographic) Even after the huge tragedy people learn to live life again and tell their story.

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