On the morning of December 26, 2004, the Indonesian coastal city of Banda Aceh is gearing up for a day's trading. Suddenly, one of the biggest earthquakes ever recorded rocks the city for an unnerving ten minutes. But just as residents are responding to its aftermath, a giant mass of water charges through the city. In less than 3 hours, the tsunami slams into Sri Lanka - 2,000 miles away. Twelve hours later, the tsunami has crossed the Indian Ocean and has taken over 200,000 lives. It is the most devastating natural disaster of the modern era. What exactly was it that made this tsunami just so devastating? And what can be done to prevent another tsunami from claiming so many lives?
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