For its many thousands of years, mankind has experienced such earthquakes, which by their destructiveness can be attributed to catastrophes of universal scale. The causes of earthquakes are not fully understood and no one can say with certainty why they arise, where the next catastrophe and what force will be.
In this article, we collected the strongest earthquakes in human history, measured by magnitude. About this value, you need to know that it takes into account the amount of energy released during the earthquake, and is distributed from 1 to 9.5.
10
Earthquake in Tien Shan 1976 8.2 points
Although the magnitude of the earthquake in Tien Shan in 1976 was only 8.2 points, it can rightfully be considered one of the most destructive earthquakes in the history of mankind. This terrible accident claimed the lives of more than 250 thousand people according to the official version, and according to the unofficial - the figure of deaths is close to 700 thousand and is quite justified, because 5.6 million houses were completely destroyed. The event formed the basis of the film "Catastrophe", filmed by Feng Xiaogang.
9
Earthquake in Portugal in 1755 8.8 points
The earthquake that occurred in Portugal in the distant 1755 on the day of all Saints refers to the one and from the most powerful and tragic disasters in the history of mankind. Just imagine that for some 5 minutes Lisbon turned into ruins, and almost one hundred thousand people died! But the victims of the earthquake did not end there. The catastrophe caused a severe fire and a tsunami that raged on the coast of Portugal. In general, the earthquake has provoked internal unrest, which led to a change in the country's foreign policy. This disaster marked the beginning of seismology. The magnitude of the earthquake is estimated at 8.8 points.
8
Earthquake in Chile in 2010 9 points
Another devastating earthquake in Chile happened in 2010.One of the most destructive and major earthquakes in human history over the past 50 years has caused maximum damage: thousands of victims, millions of homeless people, dozens of destroyed settlements and cities. The greatest damage occurred in the Chilean areas of Bio-Bio and Maule. This catastrophe is significant because the destruction occurred not only because of the tsunami, but also the earthquake itself caused considerable harm, becauseits epicenter fell on the mainland.
7
Earthquake in North America in 1700 9 points
In 1700, as a result of strong seismic activity in North America, the coastline was changed. The catastrophe occurred in the Cascade Mountains, on the border of the United States and Canada, and by various estimates was at least 9 points in magnitude. About the victims of one of the strongest earthquakes in world history little is known. As a result of the disaster, a huge wave of tsunamis reached the shores of Japan, the destruction of which has been preserved in Japanese literature.
6
Earthquake on the east coast of Japan in 2011 9 points
Literally a few years ago, in 2011, the east coast of Japan was shaken by the most powerful earthquake in human history. In 6 minutes of the 9-point catastrophe, more than 100 km of the seabed was raised 8 meters in height, and the subsequent tsunami hit the northern islands of Japan. The notorious Fukushima nuclear power plant was partially damaged, which provoked a radioactive release, the consequences of which are still palpable. The number of victims is 15,000, but the true figures are not known.
5
Kemin earthquake in Kazakhstan in 1911 9 points
Residents of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are difficult to surprise with tremors - these regions are located in the fault zone of the earth's crust. But the most powerful earthquake in the history of Kazakhstan and all mankind happened in 1911, when the city of Almaty was almost completely destroyed. The catastrophe was called Kemin earthquake, which is recognized as one of the strongest intercontinental earthquakes of the XX century. Epicenter events took place on the valley of the Great Kemin River. In this area, huge discontinuities of the relief, with a total length of 200 km, were formed. In some places in these ruptures are buried entirely at home, trapped in the disaster zone.
4
Earthquake on the coast of the Kuril Islands in 1952 9 points
Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands belong to seismically active regions and do not surprise them with earthquakes. However, people still remember the catastrophe of 1952.One of the most devastating earthquakes that mankind remembers began on November 4 in the Pacific Ocean, 130 km from the coast. The tsunami, which was formed after the earthquake, caused terrible destruction. Three huge waves, the height of the largest reached 20 meters, was completely destroyed Severo-Kurilsk and damaged many settlements. The waves came with an interval of one hour. The inhabitants knew about the first wave and waited for it on the hills, after which they descended into their villages. The second wave, the largest, which no one expected, brought the greatest damage and claimed the lives of more than 2 thousand people.
3
Earthquake in Alaska in 1964 9.3 points
On March 27, 1964 on Good Friday, all 47 US states were shaking from the earthquake in Alaska. The epicenter of the disaster took place in the Alaskan Bay, where the Pacific and North American plates are joined. One of the most powerful natural disasters in the memory of humanity with a magnitude of 9.3 points claimed relatively few lives - 9 people died out of 130 victims in Alaska and another 23 lives were blown away by the tsunami that followed the tremors. Of the cities, Anchorage, 120 kilometers from the epicenter of the events, was badly damaged. However, the destruction swept along the coastline from Japan to California.
2
Earthquake on the banks of Sumatra in 2004 9.3 points
Literally 11 years ago, one of the most, perhaps, the strongest recent earthquakes in human history in the Indian Ocean happened. At the very end of 2004, an earthquake measuring 9.3 points a few kilometers from the coasts of the Indonesian city of Sumatra provoked the formation of a monstrous tsunami that erased part of the city from the face of the earth.15-meter waves have caused damage to the cities of Sri Lanka, Thailand, South Africa and southern India. Exactly, the number of victims is not mentioned, but according to estimates, from 200 to 300 thousand people died, several million more people were left homeless.
1
Earthquake in Chile in 1960 9.5 points
The strongest earthquake in human history occurred in 1960 in Chile. According to expert estimates, it had a maximum magnitude of 9.5 points. The catastrophe began in a small town in Valdivia. As a result of the earthquake in the Pacific, a tsunami formed, its 10-meter waves raged along the coast, damaging settlements located by the sea. The scale of the tsunami reached such a level that its destructive force was felt by the inhabitants of the Hawaiian city of Hilo, 10 thousand kilometers from Valdivia. Giant waves reached even the coast of Japan and the Philippines.
