2004 Indian Ocean tsunami wave heights. Computer model of tsunami wave heights in the Indian Ocean. These tsunamis formed following the earthquake of 26 December 2004 off Northern Sumatra. The resulting tsunamis hit coastlines around the Indian Ocean as a series of surges oscillating in and out over the land and killing over 220,000. The highest waves heights are in and around Sumatra (red). This model was produced by the Center for Tsunami Research at NOAA's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory.