The most powerfulearthquake in the past 40 years caused a tsunami that crashed into coastlinesacross Asia yesterday, killing more than 6,500 people in Indonesia, India,Thailand, Malaysia, and at least four other countries. Fishermen, tourists,hotels, homes, and cars were swept away by huge waves caused by the strongearthquake that reached a magnitude of 9.0. The undersea quake struck around7:00 a.m., Sunday off the west coastof Indonesia’s Sumatra Island. In that area alone, at least 1,870 people werekilled.