Indian Ocean Tsunami Memorial

The Indian Ocean Tsunami Memorial stands in the gardens of the Natural History Museum. It consists of a single block of granite weighing one hundred and fifteen tons. The stone was quarried in France and chosen for its permanence and raw, natural texture. Architects at the studio Carmody Groarke designed the monolith to look as if it is teetering by undercutting one of its corners. The block features visible, repeating channels carved into its surface from the drills used during the quarrying process. Tucked into the space created by the diagonal cut, you will find the inscriptions that honor the victims of the December 2004 disaster. This memorial honors all those lost in the tsunami, with specific recognition for the British citizens who perished. Its location at the museum was selected to provide a site of reflection and remembrance for bereaved families and survivors. Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall attended the official inauguration of the monument in July 2011.