TOP 10 largest earthquakes in human history

Whenever strong earthquakes occurred, they always became the source of a large number of destruction and human casualties. Despite the development of technology and the achievements of modern science, still no one can predict the exact place and time of the upcoming elements. Consider the largest earthquake in history.

1950, Tibet, Assam

In 1950, at the junction of the Hindustan and Eurasian tectonic plates, one of the largest earthquakes in history occurred, with a magnitude of 8.6 points. In Tibet was the epicenter of the elements, the victims of which were 1,500 people. This disaster provoked the collapse of numerous landslides and avalanches, as well as the formation of cracks in the ground. Landslides were very large. Some of them became a cause of blocking the flow of rivers. After a while, these obstacles from the mud still broke through, demolishing everything in its path, flooding vast territories.

2005, Indonesia, North Sumatra

On March 28, 2005, just a few months after the previous disaster - the tsunami that almost destroyed the region, an earthquake was estimated at 8.6 points. It brought enormous destruction to the region still unrestored, killing more than 1000 people. At the collision site of the Eurasian and Indo-Australian plates, in the Indian Ocean was the epicenter of the earthquake.

1965, USA, Alaska

Near the Aleutian Islands was the epicenter of this major earthquake of 8.7 points, the epicenter of which was located at the point of contact of the North American and Pacific tectonic plates. Due to the fact that it was a sparsely populated place, the elements did not bring serious damage. Following the earthquake, a ten-meter tsunami followed.

1906, Ecuador

Another powerful earthquake of 8.8 points occurred off the coast of Ecuador on January 31, 1906. Tremors caused tsunamis. It moved to the entire coast of Central America. Killed approximately 1,500 people. Such a relatively small number of victims contributed to the low population density in the area.

2010, Chile

Over the past half century, Chile has experienced one of the most powerful earthquakes with a capacity of 8.8 points. It happened on February 27, 2010. The cities of Maule and Bio Bio suffered major damage. From this terrible element killed more than 600 people.

On the coast of Maule and another 11 islands, a tsunami struck, caused by an earthquake. But the locals managed to hide in the mountains. Such concerted action prevented additional casualties. At the same time, about 2 million people were left homeless, and 500,000 thousand buildings were completely destroyed. The damage was estimated at $ 30 billion.

1952, Russia, Kamchatka

100 kilometers from the coast of Kamchatka on November 5, 1952, another powerful earthquake occurred. On the Richter scale, it was rated at 9 points. An hour after the first tremors, a powerful tsunami hit the coast. Destroyed many settlements, including the city of Severo-Kurilsk. 40% of the population who simply died. This is 2,336 people. 3 waves up to 18 meters high hit the city. The damage caused by the tsunami was equal to $ 1 million.

2011, Japan, Honshu

On March 11, 2011, Japan was shocked by a powerful earthquake, the epicenter of which was located east of the island of Honshu. Its magnitude on the Richter scale is estimated at 9.0 points. In the entire history of Japan, it has become the most powerful.

Tremors gave rise to large tsunamis with 7-meter waves. The death toll is 16,000. The tsunami strike and earthquake led to the accident at the Fukushima-1 nuclear power plant. The total damage caused by the elements is estimated at 36.6 billion dollars.

2004, Indonesia

On December 26, 2004, an earthquake shook the waters of the Indian Ocean. Following this, a tsunami formed. In modern history, this natural disaster is recognized as the most deadly. According to various estimates, the magnitude of the earthquake was 9.1 - 9.3 points. For all the time it became the third in power. The epicenter of the elements was next to the island of Sumatra. The height of the tsunami waves was 15 meters, which reached the shores of many countries, including Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India.

On the northwestern coast of Indonesia, in eastern Sri Lanka, the infrastructure was completely destroyed by the tsunami. The damage is estimated at 10 million dollars. Killed about 300,000 people.

1964, USA, Alaska

The strength of the Great Alaskan earthquake on the Richter scale is estimated at 9.2 points. Its duration was 3 minutes. The epicenter of the elements was at a depth of 20 meters in one of the parts of the Gulf of Alaska, in the College Fjord. After the earthquake, a powerful tsunami formed, which claimed the lives of a large number of people.

Alaska's communities have been hit hard by this disaster. But the death toll was relatively small. 140 people were killed, 131 of them were the victims of the tsunami. From Japan to California, huge waves brought significant damage. As of 1965, the damage amounted to approximately 400 million dollars.

1960, Chile

The largest in the history of mankind recognized the Great Chilean earthquake. This disaster occurred on May 22, 1960. According to various estimates, magnitude on the Richter scale was 9.3 - 9.5 points. The epicenter of the elements was located near the city of Valdivia.

The height of the tsunami waves formed by the earthquake reached 10 meters. Killed about 6,000 people. The bulk of them are victims of the tsunami. Huge waves caused serious damage to the whole world. In Japan, 138 people died, in Hawaii - 61, in the Philippines - 32. As of 1960, the damage from the elements amounted to 500 billion dollars.