The Top 10 Deadliest Earthquake Recorded in History
An Earthquake is a shaking of the ground caused by the shaking of Earth’s surface. The shaking is caused by movements in Earth’s outermost layer.
10. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan(1948) –
Within minutes about 1,10,000 people were crushed or burnt to death thanks to the terrible building standards followed by this country. This earthquake measured 7.3 on the Richter scale.
9. Hokkaido, Japan(1730) –
About 1,37,000 lives were claimed, The earthquake is not less than 7.5 on Richter scale.
This island was shit by a similar earthquake of about 8 on Richter scale in 2003 but Japan due to its superior technology and advancements survived and there were absolutely no casualties. That’s quite an achievement!
8. Kanto, Japan(1923) –
The magnitude was about 7.9 and the number of deaths officially released in reports was about 1,50,000.
7. Damghan, Iran(856) –
Damghan was the capital of Iran before being hit by this magnitude 8 earthquake claiming almost 2,00,000 lives and completely destroying the city as well.
6. Haiti(2010) –
This small country island has a history of being hit by natural disasters.
That earthquake was so devastating and destructive that almost 2,30,000 lives were lost and measured around 7 on Richter scale.
5. Haiyuan, China(1920) –
The Haiyuang earthquake measured about 7.8 on Richter scale and claimed almost 2,00,000 lives. But many other reports suggest the tremor was as high as 8.5 and the toll is 2,40,000.
4. Aleppo, Syria(1138) –
Due to lack of technology in that century the actual measurement on the Richer scale is not known but the effects were felt even 220 miles south in the city of Damascus. The death toll is supposed to be about 2,30,000.
3. The Indian Ocean(2004) –
The largest earthquake in over 40 years and third largest since 1900 measuring around 9.2 hit the bottom of the Indian Ocean on Christmas.
Tremors lasted for about 10 minutes. This resulted in altering of the earth’s axis and a tsunami about 100 feet high smashed Sumatra. In all 14 countries were affected by it. The official toll was 2,27,898.
About 1.7 million people were displaced by the earthquake and the following tsunami across East Asia and Southern Africa.
2. Tangshan, China(1976) –
Well known as the “Great Tangshan Earthquake” measured around 7.8 on Richter scale According to reports the actual death was around 7,00,000.
1. Shaanxi, China(1556) –
China has witnessed many deadly and dangerous earthquakes over the years but this one was the most deadly. Killing almost 8,30,000 people and destroying the whole of the province. Its effect was felt even in Liuyang which is almost 500 miles away.
