Flexi Says: Tsunamis are very destructive to people who live and work near the shore, particularly around the Pacific Ocean basin. The Boxing Day Tsunami of 2004 is considered one of the worst disasters in modern history. The tsunami came from a massive earthquake. The waves traveled across the Indian Ocean, killing around 230,000 people and causing widespread destruction in 12 nations. In 2011, a destructive tsunami hit Japan very quickly after a 9.0 earthquake in the subduction zone offshore. The tsunami reached 40 meters (130 feet) in height as it hit the shore! Many more people died from the tsunami than the quake. In addition, the tsunami flooded the Fukushima nuclear power plant. This lead to equipment failures, meltdowns, and the release of radioactive materials. Cleanup of the disabled plants will go on for many years.
