Why did so many people die in the asian tsunami?
People in the area did not have an early warning system. Earthquake-induced movement of the ocean floor most often generates tsunamis. If a major earthquake or landslide occurs close to shore, the first wave in a series could reach the beach in a few minutes, even before a warning is issued. Areas are at greater risk if they are less than 25 feet above sea level and within a mile of the shoreline. Drowning is the most common cause of death associated with a tsunami. Tsunami waves and the receding water are very destructive to structures in the run-up zone. Other hazards include flooding, contamination of drinking water, and fires from gas lines or ruptured tanks. The 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake was an underwater earthquake that was centered off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The earthquake created a disastrous Tsunami that destroyed the coastlines of eleven countries. The Tsunami killed over 225,000 people and was one of the most deadliest Tsunamis in the history of natural disaster
