Final answer:
The Indian Ocean 2004 Tsunami, triggered by a massive underwater earthquake, released a series of destructive waves that devastated coastal regions across several nations, even those located far from the quake's epicenter, resulting in a death toll exceeding 200,000 people.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the Indian Ocean 2004 Tsunami claimed thousands of lives even at places which were thousands of miles away from the earthquake epicenter is true. Tsunamis are capable of traveling across entire ocean basins with little loss of energy. The 2004 tsunami, triggered by a massive earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, radiated waves that caused devastation along coastlines of multiple countries, reaching as far as Africa.
The tsunami generated by the earthquake had an immense amount of energy, equivalent to 23,000 atomic bombs, and caused waves as high as 30 meters that led to widespread destruction. Volcanic eruptions and landslides in coastal areas also contributed to the severity of the event. In addition to Indonesia, countries like Thailand, Sri Lanka, and India saw significant loss of life and property damage.
Furthermore, factors such as the ocean's depth, wave speed, and the distance between wave crests influenced the tsunami's reach and impact. The tsunami's waves, traveling at speeds up to 700 km/hr, brought unimaginable destruction and highlighted the vulnerability of coastal regions to such natural disasters.