Some of the Historical Earthquake in the World

1. HISTORICAL
EARTHQUAKE
Valdivia, Chile
When it comes to the
earthquake’s magnitude, the
1960 Valdivia earthquake
takes the cake at 9.5, which
was equivalent to a massive
178-Gigatons of power. This
can be comparable to 1,000
atomic bombs going off at the
same time. The earthquake
was not only felt in Valdivia but
also reached Hawaii, at a
distance of 435 miles. While
only 6,000 people died in the
catastrophe, it incurred more than $1 billion worth of damages.
Shaanxi, China
This earthquake has
sometimes been called the
deadliest earthquake in
history. The incident
happened on January 23,
1556 in Shaanxi, China and
devastated an area of 520
miles. It was felt in 97
countries; and resulted in
more than 20 meters deep
crevices and landslides, which
collapsed numerous
dwellings. The death toll of
this devastating earthquake
was 830,000, which is over
60% of the region’s
population. Its magnitude was only 8.0 on the Richter scale or only 1-Gigaton, but the
costs cannot be written in today’s terms.

2. Sumatra, Indonesia
This earthquake hit the sea bed
of the Indian Ocean on
December 26, 2004 with a
magnitude of 9.1 to 9.3 or over
32-Gigatons, and caused the
Boxing Day Tsunami. This was
the second highest seismic
activity recorded with the
longest duration of tremors.
The after-effects even reached
Maldives and Thailand, with
more than 5 tsunamis hitting
the coastlines of the Indian
Sea. It had a death toll of
100,100 to 225,000 with over
$7 billion worth of rescue and
damage costs during the first 8.3 to 10 minutes alone.
Aleppo, Syria
This disaster happened near
the town of Aleppo in Syria on
October 11, 1138. The
earthquake, which had a
magnitude of 8.5 or 2.8-
Gigaton, was labeled as the
fourth worst earthquake
disaster in the world.
Catastrophes included a
nearby church that fell on
itself causing the death of 600
guards and citizens, and total
death toll of 230,000. A
number of towns near the
tremor were completely destroyed and had to be rebuilt to become habitable again.
Tangshan, China

3. This tragedy happened
on July 28, 1976 in
Tangshan, Hebei and
killed 255,000 people
though the Chinese
government first
recorded its death toll at
655,000. The 8.2
magnitude or 2.2-Gigaton
quake only lasted for 10
seconds, but brought a lot
of devastation to the
area. In addition,
Tangshan is a region with
a very low-risk for
earthquakes, so the buildings were not earthquake-proof. The quake was 4 miles long
and 5 miles wide, which left a total damage of 10 billion Yuan or $1.3 billion.
Haiyuan County, China
Also called ‘the 1920 Gansu
Earthquake,’ this disaster
happened in Haiyuan County,
Ningxia. Though there were
conflicting reports on its
magnitude and death toll, as both
the Chinese government and the
United States Geological Survey
(USGS) published different
reports, it still brought
catastrophic effects that were felt
for over 125 miles and
aftershocks that lasted over 3
years. The December 16, 1920
quake has conflicting magnitudes
of 7.8 and 8.5 and death tolls of
200,000 or 240,000.
Port-au-Prince, Haiti

4. The Haiti earthquake was a
magnitude 7.0 on the
Richter scale, with an
epicenter near Leogane, 25
km west of its capital, Port-
au-Prince. It struck on
January 12, 2010 where at
least 52 aftershocks
measuring 4.5 or greater
could still be felt even 12
days later. The earthquake
left a devastating wake of
316,000 deaths, 300,000
injured and 1,000,000
people homeless. It was estimated that 250,000 houses and 30,000 commercial buildings
had collapsed or were severely destroyed.
Xining, China
Xining, which lies on the
Huangshui River on the
eastern part of Quinghai
Province, experienced a
magnitude 7.9 seismic
activity on May 22, 1927. It
killed 40,900 people though
there were other reports
that the death toll could be
as high as 200,000. The
earthquake was not only
deadly but it also brought
large fractures, damages to
over 500 schools and office
buildings causing many people to lose their occupations. This was also linked to the Great
Gansu Earthquake.
Damghan, Iran

5. The earliest record-breaking
earthquake as it happened on
December 22, 856, this
earthquake struck Damghan,
the capital of Iran at that time
with a magnitude of 8.0 or 1-
Gigaton power. It killed
200,000 people, with tremors
that could be felt throughout
the surrounding areas of
Damghan causing these
areas to be totally destroyed
as well, though Damghan
itself was not severely
damaged. A great example
was Bustam, a nearby town, which was completely leveled by the quake.
Tohoku, Japan
On March 11, 2011, the east
coast of Tohoku in Japan was
struck by a 9.03 magnitude
earthquake, which was the
strongest to ever hit Japan.
Considered one of the top five
largest earthquakes in the
world, it caused destruction
that claimed 15,878 lives, left
6,126 injured and 2,173
people missing across 20
prefectures. It also caused the
collapsed of 129,225
buildings, while the tsunami
brought about by the quake
also caused severe structural damages, fires in many areas, and damages in roads and
railways. This was the most difficult crisis Japan had ever faced after World War II as it
did not only inflict damages to lives and properties, but also caused significant damages
to four major nuclear power stations. Debris from the tsunami reached as far as Canada
and Hawaii.

6. Kanto, Japan
The Great Kanto earthquake
was a magnitude 7.9 disaster that hit the Kanto plain, a main island of Honshu in Japan
on September 1, 1923. This was once considered the deadliest earthquake in the history
of Japan as it caused ‘the Great Tokyo Fire’ though the duration of the quake was only
between 4 and 10 minutes. However, its record was surpassed by the 2011 Tohuku
earthquake at a magnitude of 9.0. The fire alone claimed the lives of 140,000 people and
destroyed 447,000 houses. This does not include those who died from landslides,
tsunamis, and 57 aftershocks, which had estimated deaths of 93,000 people and 43,500
missing.
Ashgabat, Soviet Union
This earthquake occurred on October 6, 1948 near Ashgabat, USSR with a magnitude of
7.3. Due to censorship, this was not reported in the media so there were no reports
Local date 6 October 1948
Local time 01:12:09 TMT
Magnitude 7.3 Ms
Epicenter 37.95°N 58.32°ECoordinates:
37.95°N 58.32°E
Areas
affected
Soviet Union (Turkmen SSR)
Iran
Max.
intensity
X (Extreme)[1]
Casualties 10,000–110,000[2]

7. regarding its casualties or damages. Due to the secrecy, it was purported that the
earthquake was the result of Soviet Union’s first atomic bomb test. Media sources also
vary on the number of casualties from 10,000 to 176,000 though a correct death toll was
reported in December 9, 1988 as 110,000. The earthquake also caused the collapsed of
brick buildings, concrete structures and freight trains.
Messina, Italy
Local date 28 December 1908
Local time 5:20 am
Duration 30–40 sec
Magnitude 7.1 Mw
[1]
Depth 5–6 mi (8–10 km)
Epicenter 38.15°N 15.68°ECoordinates: 38.15°N
15.68°E
Fault Unknown, possibly blind normal fault
underlying Strait of Messina
Type Dip-slip
Areas
affected
Sicily & Calabria, Kingdom of Italy
Total
damage
Tsunami waves, fires, landslides;
Messina and Reggio Calabria almost
destroyed
Max.
intensity
XI (Extreme)[2]
Tsunami Up to 12 m (39 ft)
Landslides yes
Aftershocks 293
Casualties 75,000–200,000[2]
This was a 7.1-magnitude earthquake and tsunami that claimed the lives of some 100,000
to 200,000 lives in Messina and Reggio in Sicily and Calabria in southern Italy. The
earthquake, which took place on December 28, 1908, caused the ground to shake for 30
to 40 seconds and was felt in a 186-mile radius. A 12-meter tsunami also hit the nearby
coasts causing more destruction including the death of 70,000 residents with 91% of the
structures in Messina destroyed.
Chihli, China

8. The Chihli earthquake happened in
September 27, 1290 with the epicenter near Ningcheng in Inner Mongolia with an
estimated magnitude of 6.8. However, it has a maximum felt intensity of nine on the
Mercalli intensity scale as it claimed the lives of some 100,000 people. It also destroyed
480 storehouses and countless homes in nearby areas, including the Fengguo Temple in
Yingxian.
Sichuan, China
The Great Sichuan Earthquake occurred on May 8, 2008 with a magnitude that measured
8.0 and 7.9. It was so great that it was felt in nearby countries and as far away as Beijing
and Shanghai where buildings swayed with tremors. Official figures for the damages
include 69,197 deaths with 68,636 in Sichuan province, 374,176 injured and 18,222
Local date May 12, 2008
Local time 14:28:01 CST
Magnitude 8.0 Ms , 7.9 Mw
Depth 19 km (12 mi)
Epicenter 31.021°N 103.367°ECoordinates:
31.021°N 103.367°E
Fault Longmenshan Fault
Total damage $150 billion USD
Max. intensity XI (extreme)
Casualties  87,587 killed (19th deadliest
earthquake of all time)
 374,643 injured
18,392 missing
Local date September 27, 1290
Magnitude 6.8 Ms
Epicenter 41.5°N
119.3°ECoordinates: 41.5°N
119.3°E[1]
Areas affected Yuan dynasty
Total damage Severe[1]
Max. intensity IX (Violent)[1]
Casualties 7,270–100,000[1]

9. missing. This was considered as the deadliest earthquake to hit China after the 1976
Tangshan earthquake, as it left 4.8 million to 15 million people homeless. The Chinese
government is appropriating 1 trillion Yuan or $146.5 billion to rebuild areas ravaged by
the great quake.
Kashmir, Pakistan
The October 8, 2005 Kashmir, Pakistan was visited by an earthquake with a moment
magnitude of 7.6.The disaster had a death toll of 85,000 and more than 69,000 were
injured. Considered to be smaller in size than the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, it
affected countries in surrounding regions with 14,000 deaths in Jammu and tremors felt
in Taijikistan and western China. It also cost a staggering $5.4 billion in aids from all
around the world.
Local date 8 October 2005
Local time 08:50 Pakistan Standard Time
Magnitude 7.6 Mw
[1]
Depth 15 km (9.3 mi) [1]
Epicenter 34.45°N 73.65°ECoordinates:
34.45°N 73.65°E [1]
Type Oblique-slip
Areas affected Pakistan, India, Afghanistan
Max. intensity VIII (Severe) [2]
Landslides Yes [3]
Casualties 86,000–87,351 dead [7]
69,000–75,266 injured [7]
2.8 million displaced [7]

10. Tabriz, Iran
This took place near the city of Tabriz, Iran
on April 26, 1721, and destroyed prominent mosques and schools resulting in death
casualties of 8,000 to 250,000, though it was approximated at 80,000 only. Interpreted as
an omen of misfortune or a demonstration of divine wrath, it contributed to the success of
the Ottoman take-over of Tabriz in 1722 and on its economic difficulties, as well as the
destruction of the city’s significant historical monuments.
Lisbon, Portugal
Known as the ‘Great Lisbon Earthquake,’ this event occurred on November 1, 1755 in the
Kingdom of Portugal. Seismologists today estimate the Lisbon earthquake in the range
Local date 1 November 1755
Local time 09:40
Magnitude 8.5–9.0 Mw (est.)
Epicenter 36°N 11°WCoordinates:
36°N 11°W
About 200 km (120 mi) west-
southwest of Cape St. Vincent
Areas
affected
Kingdom of Portugal, Kingdom of
Spain, Kingdom of Morocco. The
tsunami affected Southern Great
Britain and Ireland
Max.
intensity
XI (Extreme) [1]
Casualties 10,000–100,000 deaths
Local date April 26, 1721
Magnitude 7.7 Ms
[1]
Epicenter 38.0°N
46.3°ECoordinates:
38.0°N 46.3°E[1]
Areas
affected
Iran, Tabriz
Max.
intensity
VIII–X[2]
Casualties 8,000–250,000

11. of 8.5 to 9.0 on the moment magnitude scale that has a deadly combination of subsequent
fires and a tsunami. It totally destroyed Lisbonand its surrounding areas with an estimated
death toll of between 10,000 and 100,000 people. Because of its devastating effects over
large areas, this event resulted in the scientific studies of modern seismology and
earthquake engineering.
Yungay, Peru
This Great Peruvian Earthquake was an undersea earthquake that affected the regions
of Ancash and La Libertad. It occurred in May 31, 1970 ad was recorded as the worst
catastrophic natural disaster that hit Peru, which affected over 3 million people. It has a
magnitude of 7.9 to 8.0 on the Richter scale with an intensity of VIII on the Mercalli scale,
which lasted for 45 seconds. This caused the rock, ice, and snow avalanche on the
northern wall of Mount Huascaran burying the towns of Yungay and Ranrahirca, which
led to the death of 20,000 people in Yungay alone. The damages incurred tallied to 74,194
deaths, 25,600 missing, 143,331 injured, and more than a million homeless. The
estimated economic loss was more than half a billion USD with the entire communication
system and basic facilities destroyed.
Local date 31 May 1970
Local time 15:23
Duration ~ 45 seconds [ 1] [ 2]
Magnitude 7.9 Mw
[ 3] [ 4]
Depth 45 km (28 mi) [ 3]
Epicenter 9.4°S 78.9°WCoordinates: 9.4°S
78.9°W [ 4]
Areas affected Peru
Max. intensity VIII (Severe) [ 1]
Peak acceleration .1g at Lima [ 2]
Tsunami .38 m (1 ft 3 in) [ 5]
Casualties 66,794–70,000 dead [ 5]
50,000 injured [ 5]