An earthquake is a result of shaking the Earth’s surface with a quick dispensation of energy in the lithosphere of the Earth creating “seismic waves”. Earthquake’s frequency is varied from place to place. At the earth’s surface, it manifests itself by trembling and displacing the land. When it occurs offshore it causes the reason for Tsunami. An earthquake can cause land sliding and sometimes volcanic movements. It brings a lot of change on the ground level and people’s lives. Now we shall talk about the 10 devastating and biggest earthquakes in the history of the world.
10: Valdivia, Chile 22nd May 1960
It occurs in Valdivia, Chile on 22nd May 1960. This devastating earthquake took the lives of almost 1655 individuals and it injured 3000 people. Approximately, 550 million US dollars were wasted cause of the earthquake. The earthquake’s “rapture zone” was far more than 100 km; roughly its magnitude was 9.4 or 9.6. initially, two days after the earthquake, the nearest volcano point began to erupt producing ash up to 6km in the environment for several weeks.it counted as the biggest earthquake in history.
09: Sendai Japan 11th March 2011
On 11th March 2011, an earthquake occurred in Sendai, Japan. Its epicenter was 70km Far East of the Oshika Peninsula. It had a magnitude of 9.1 undersea megathrust earthquake. The duration was 6 minutes and was recorded as the most powerful as before and counted as the 4th biggest earthquake in the history of the world. It created a tsunami in Japan’s mainland area and killed approximately 10,000 people. According to the report of confirming deaths are 15899 by “Japanese National Police agency”.
08: Sumatra, Indonesia 26th December 2004
In 2004 in the city of Sumatra in Indonesia, an earthquake and tsunami occurred on 26th December. Its center was the Indian Ocean which connects both countries India and China. Its magnitude was of 9.1Mw. This earthquake began to occur because of a rupture in the fault between the Indian and Burma plates. It damaged almost 15 billion US dollars. According to documentation, it was the 3rd biggest earthquake in the history of the world. It had the longest duration of approximately 8-10 min observed. According to the report of the US Geological Survey, the total number of deaths was 227,898 and it created severe destruction in Indonesia.
07: The Rat Islands, Alaska 4th February 1965
The earthquake occurred in the Rat Islands of Alaska in 1965. It had a severe magnitude of 8.7 and created a tsunami at 10m in Shemya Island. But, luckily it brought little loss. It created a flood through a tsunami that caused worth of 10,000 US dollars loss. Slightly damages were recorded at cracks on roads. whatever, it counted in the biggest earthquakes in history.
06: Assam, Tibet 15th August 1950
On 15th August 1950, an earthquake took place in Assam and Tibet. Its magnitude was 8.6 and its epicenter was placed at the hills of Mishmi. This area is Arunachal Pradesh is still disputed land between India and China. This brought destruction for both states Assam (India) and Tibet (China). It killed around 48,000 people. It included the 6th biggest earthquake in the history of the world.
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05: Kamchatka Earthquakes
At the Kamchatka Peninsula, three earthquakes occurred in 1737, 1923, and 1952. These caused tsunamis and the type of megathrust. They all happened on the coast of the Pacific plates. These created a lot of destruction in the lives of people. Many people lost their lives caused by these deadly earthquakes. that’s why it counted as the biggest earthquake in history.
04: Prince William Sound, Alaska 1964
The greatest earthquake occurred in Prince William Sound, Alaska in 1964. It took almost 128 lives. Its shaking time of earth’s period was around 3 min. it caused heavy land sliding. Through the estimation loss of property was 311 million dollars.
03: Ecuador, Colombia 31st January 1906
On 31st January 1906, an earthquake occurred in the land of Ecuador, Colombia. It was a destructive tsunami having 8.8Mw magnitudes. It is kind of a megathrust earthquake. Its rupture zone was 500-600 km long. On the coast of Rio Verde, Ecuador, and Micay the greatest damage from the tsunami. Several deaths showed a discrepancy between 500-1500. It is considered the biggest earthquake in the history of the world.
02: Sanriku, Japan 2nd December 1611
The Sanriku earthquake happened on 2nd December 1611. It had an intense magnitude of 8.1Mw. It brought a destructive tsunami. In this period earth shook 3 times consecutively. According to the estimation of old documentation, almost 1783 people were killed there. It added to the biggest earthquakes in the history of the world.
01: Kashmir, Pakistan 8th October 2005
An earthquake occurred in the areas of Azad Kashmir, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan and it affected the northern side like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on 8th October 2005. It also affects nearby countries like Afghanistan, China, and Tajikistan. It was a very severe earthquake that brought destruction. According to Pakistan’s government, almost 87,350 people lost their lives. It affected more than 50 thousand families. The earthquake’s magnitude is recorded at 7.6 severe magnitudes.
