2004 saw many natural disasters, including earthquakes, cyclones, hurricanes, storms and floods, but nothing during the year could have prepared us for the catastrophic tsunami that struck Asia on St Stephen's Day. The giant waves, sparked by an underwater earthquake, hit with such power that within minutes, over 150,000 people died and millions of people's lives were destroyed. Aid agencies are predicting that its destructive effects will be felt for many years to come. Free article