10 largest and most terrible tsunamis in the history of mankind

Moving a huge amount of water in the form of waves throughout its depth is called a tsunami. During a storm, only the surface layers of water move, and during a tsunami, all thickness. In an instant, this huge mass comes ashore. Also, during the elements, the speed of the waves is much greater than with gusts of wind. Usually a tsunami causes many casualties. The first, as a rule, are the islands.

So, consider the 10 largest tsunamis in the history of mankind.

December 26, 2004 Southeast Asia

After a powerful underwater earthquake, giant waves formed. The magnitude of the underwater earthquake, according to experts, on the Richter scale was at around 9.3 points. Waves of gigantic heights fell on the coasts of different countries. They even reached the shores of West Africa. American satellites, 15 minutes after the earthquake occurred, determined the start of the tsunami, but even the global warning system did not save the destructive wave. Killed about 300,000 people. American politicians puffed up for meteorologists who could not report the impending danger.

03/28/1964 USA, Alaska

An earthquake occurred in the strait named after Prince William on 03/28/1964 at 17:30 local time. On a Richter scale, he was rated at 9.2 points. In Alaska, it was the strongest earthquake in history, the power of which was compared with the explosion of 12,000 atomic bombs. That day, 122 people died. Many of them went missing - they were simply washed away with water. The maximum recorded wave height reached 67 meters.

A colossal wave completely demolished 3 villages in Alaska. 107 people died here. In Oregon - 4 people, in California - 11 people. The city of Valdez was completely destroyed. In the center of Anchorage, business and office buildings were also affected by the disaster. The same fate befell crab and fish processing plants on the island of Kodiak.

07/09/1958 USA, southwestern Alaska, Lituia Bay

An earthquake struck the Fairwerte Fault. This cataclysm provoked another - a landslide. In Lituja Bay, a huge layer of soil, stones and ice has shifted from the side of the mountain. This huge mass of more than 300 million collapsed into the waters of the bay, which caused the formation of a 53 meter wave, moving at a speed of 160 km / h.

01.09.2005, Japan, Miyake and Izu Islands

The magnitude of this earthquake on the Richter scale that day was 6.8 points. As soon as the first tremors occurred, within 10 minutes the meteorological services announced the approach of the tsunami. An alarm sounded. Residents of the Izu Islands were evacuated by rescue services to safe places. Only special observers remained. Within half an hour after the earthquake, the water reached Miyake Island. Experts said that even a half-meter wave could become a threat to people's lives at high speed.

11/05/1952 the USSR, Severo-Kurilsk

In early November, on the way near the raging elements were Shumshu, Paramushir and the eastern coast of Kamchatka. In the history of the twentieth century, this tsunami entered the top five largest.

The Kamchatka and Kuril villages of Babushkino, Kozyrevsky, Savushkino, Baykovo, Shelekhovo, Major Van, Ocean, Podgorny, Galkino, Stony, Reef, Coastal, Utesny, Levashovo were completely destroyed. Severo-Kurilsk razed to the ground.

Information about the Kuril tsunami did not get to the press. As well as information about the thousands of missing and dead ...

03/09/1957 USA, Alaska

On the Andreanov Islands in March 1957, another major tsunami occurred, which was born of an earthquake in Alaska. On the Richter scale, its magnitude reached 9.1 points.In total, 2 tsunamis were recorded, the wave height of which was 8 and 15 meters, respectively. That day, 300 people died. In addition, the earthquake awakened the Vsevidov volcano on the island of Umnak, which had previously slept for more than 200 years. On the island of Kosa Andrianova, the effects of aftershocks were also felt - roads cracked, two bridges were destroyed, and significant damage was caused to the buildings. The subsequent tsunami, which reached the coast of Chile, Japan, California, Hawaii, causing great damage.

07/17/1998 Papua New Guinea

The earthquake that occurred in the evening in Papua New Guinea on the Richter scale reached 7 points. Its epicenter was in the open ocean, 640 km from the coast - opposite the town of Aitape. On land at that moment practically no shocks were felt. Some people woke up, but did not pay much attention to this. After 20 minutes, the first of the giant waves came to the island. During the return, the waves took with them buildings, cars and people. All houses were wiped off the ground. Killed 2,200 people.

02/27/2010 Chile, Concepcion

A powerful earthquake was recorded 115 kilometers from the Chilean city of Concepcion. On the Richter scale, his strength was 8.8 points. This cataclysm brought enormous destruction. Earthquake shocks formed a tsunami. Experts recorded the maximum wave height in the region of 3 meters. Almost 300 people died and went missing.

04/02/2007 Solomon Islands

At 7 o’clock in the morning, an earthquake occurred in the South Pacific. Its power on the Richter scale reached 6.9 points. Its epicenter was recorded at a depth of ten kilometers near the Solomon Islands. Many states in the South Pacific have been warned of the likelihood of a tsunami threat. Maximum waves were expected on the islands of New Guinea and near the Solomon Islands. Evacuation of people was not carried out.

September 6, 2004. The coast of Japan

This time there were two earthquakes at once - 110 km from the Kii Peninsula and 130 km from Koti. On the Richter scale, power was 6.8 and 7.4 points. The height of the wave that appeared the tsunami reached one meter. Several dozen people became victims of the water element.