Foreword. After the Tsunami: Mental Health Challenges to the Community for Today and Tomorrow

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On December 26, 2004, a powerful earthquake rockedthe ocean floor off the coast of northern Indonesia, abruptly displacing a 15,600 square mile area of the floorsome 50 to 70 feet upward. The earthquake, measuring 9.0on the Richter scale, triggered a massive tsunami that propagatedacross the ocean’s surface at speeds of up to 500 mph,reaching the nearest shores in a matter of minutes and arrivingup to 8 hours later at coastlines some 4,000 miles distantfrom the epicenter. Devastation was massive as waves measuring10 to 40 feet in height enveloped shores and surgedup beaches, leveling vegetation, buildings, and entire villagesbefore receding back into the ocean.’ ‹