It began before sunrise. A faint rumble beneath the sea. Within seconds, that subtle vibration turned into one of the most violent seismic events in modern history—a 9.1-magnitude earthquake that would shake not just buildings, but the very soul of a nation. Most people in the affected region were still asleep when the tremors hit. Alarms sounded. Lights flickered. The ground convulsed like a living thing. But for those near the coast, the earthquake was just the beginning. In a quiet port city, residents ran into the streets. Some stared in confusion as the ocean retreated—boats grounded on the exposed...
Continues…