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Top 10 Worst and Deadliest Earthquakes Ever Recorded
A History of Seismic Catastrophes
Earthquakes, one of the most devastating natural disasters, have claimed countless lives throughout history. From colossal ruptures and tsunamis to unexpected temblors, these seismic events have left lasting scars on human civilization.
1. Shaanxi Earthquake (1556):
The deadliest earthquake ever recorded, with an estimated 830,000 fatalities. The epicenter struck China's Shaanxi province, triggering landslides and destroying entire villages.
2. Great Lisbon Earthquake (1755):
A catastrophic event that devastated Portugal's capital city, killing an estimated 100,000 people. The earthquake triggered a massive tsunami and fires, leaving the city in ruins.
3. Great Tangshan Earthquake (1976):
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck China's Tangshan city, resulting in an estimated 242,000 deaths. The quake destroyed 85% of the city's buildings and infrastructure.
4. Great Banda Sea Earthquake (1938):
An underwater earthquake and tsunami that struck Indonesia's Banda Sea, killing an estimated 165,000 people. The tsunami reached heights of up to 15 meters, decimating coastal communities.
5. Sanriku Earthquake and Tsunami (1896):
A magnitude 8.5 earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan's Sanriku coast, killing an estimated 22,000 people. The tsunami ravaged coastal towns and fishing villages.
6. Great Sumatra Earthquake and Tsunami (2004):
A magnitude 9.1 earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, that triggered a massive tsunami. The tsunami killed an estimated 230,000 people across 14 countries.
7. New Madrid Seismic Zone Earthquakes (1811-1812):
A series of earthquakes that struck the New Madrid Seismic Zone in the central United States. The strongest earthquake had an estimated magnitude of 7.7 and caused widespread damage and liquefaction.
8. Great Alaskan Earthquake (1964):
A magnitude 9.2 earthquake that struck Alaska, causing widespread damage and triggering a tsunami. The earthquake caused the land to subside by as much as 9.1 meters.
9. Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami (2011):
A magnitude 9.0 earthquake off the coast of Japan that triggered a devastating tsunami. The earthquake and tsunami killed an estimated 15,000 people and caused widespread damage.
10. Great Kanto Earthquake (1923):
A magnitude 7.9 earthquake that struck Japan's Kanto region, killing an estimated 142,000 people. The earthquake triggered fires and destroyed large areas of Tokyo and Yokohama.
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