Describes the causes and disastrous effects of tidal waves, as well as a history of the most devastating ones around the world, including the December 2004 tsunami.

At 0.58 GMT on 26th December 2004, the Eurasian and Australia tectonic plates clashed together. The resulting earthquake - the biggest for 40 years - triggered a powerful tsunami. This giant wave carved a path of destruction across the Indian Ocean. Entire towns were swept away, popular holiday destinations were completely destroyed, more than 300,000 people were killed and millions were left indesperate need of food and shelter.