Earthquakes are some of the most destructive natural disasters on the planet. They can ravage entire cities and cause irreparable damage to the environment. Here, we take a look at some of the most devastating earthquakes in history and the destruction they have caused.
10- Tokyo, Japan
Deaths: 143,000
Year: 1923
Photo Credit: Devastating Disasters
On September 1, 1923, Tokyo was rocked by an earthquake measuring 8.3 on the Richter scale. The quake lasted for four minutes, causing widespread destruction throughout the city. Buildings collapsed, fires broke out, and more than 105,000 people were killed. It was the deadliest quake to strike Japan in recorded history. The damage was estimated to be around $450 million. The earthquake was caused by a rupture in the Sagami Trough, a subduction zone located offshore from Tokyo.
The seismic shock caused the ground to shake violently, creating a huge tsunami that decimated the coastline. The tsunami caused further destruction and loss of life. The devastating effects of the earthquake were felt far and wide, with the death toll reaching as high as 143,000. The quake left a lasting impression on the people of Tokyo, who had never experienced anything like it before. Even today, the memory of the 1923 quake remains strong in the Japanese psyche.
9- Dvin, Armenia
Deaths: 150,000
Year: 893
The deadliest earthquake to ever strike Armenia occurred in 893 AD in the city of Dvin. This devastating event caused widespread destruction, with estimates of the death toll ranging from 80,000 to 150,000. It was so powerful that it destroyed many buildings in the city, including churches and other important structures. It also triggered a major landslide that destroyed nearby villages. The earthquake was felt all the way to Constantinople, which was some 600 kilometers away. The earthquake also caused severe damage to the city of Dvin, with the walls of the citadel being destroyed, and many of its buildings collapsing, including the ancient cathedral. This earthquake was so powerful that it is believed to have triggered numerous aftershocks and triggered several other earthquakes in the region.
8- Gansu, China
Deaths: 200,000
Year: 1920
Photo Credit: Thats Mags
In 1920, Gansu, China was struck by one of the deadliest earthquakes in history. The magnitude of the quake was 8.6 on the Richter scale. The quake lasted for more than 10 minutes, causing massive destruction and loss of life. It caused landslides that blocked rivers and caused flooding, which further aggravated the situation. Over 200,000 people lost their lives, and more than 600,000 people were left homeless. Entire villages were destroyed and many towns were completely wiped out. The earthquake also caused a devastating fire that burned for three days, destroying many more homes and buildings. The economic loss was estimated to be more than $200 million. The Gansu earthquake of 1920 was one of the most destructive earthquakes in history.
7- Sumatra, Indonesia
Deaths: 230,000
Year: 2004
Photo Credit: ITV
On December 26th, 2004, a magnitude 9.1 earthquake struck off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. This devastating quake was the third largest ever recorded and the largest to strike the region in 40 years. It unleashed a series of powerful tsunamis that killed an estimated 230,000 people in 14 countries. The epicenter of the quake, located in the Indian Ocean, was felt as far away as Thailand and Bangladesh. The death toll in Indonesia alone was estimated to be over 170,000, with the majority occurring in the province of Aceh. The quake caused significant damage to buildings, infrastructure and entire towns, with entire villages being completely wiped out. The disaster triggered a massive international relief effort and impacted the lives of millions of people. This catastrophic earthquake is remembered as one of the deadliest natural disasters in human history.
6- Gyzndzha, Azerbaijan
Deaths: 230,000
Year: 1139
Photo Credit: Wikiwand
Gyzndzha, Azerbaijan was hit by one of the deadliest earthquakes on record in 1139. Thousands of people were killed and countless buildings were destroyed in the magnitude 8.0 quake. The quake triggered landslides, avalanches, and flash floods that further compounded the destruction. Entire villages were buried under rubble and debris, and the quake was felt as far as 400 miles away. The earthquake also caused a tsunami that reached as high as 20 feet in some coastal areas.
The destruction caused by the quake was so great that it changed the course of the nearby rivers and lakes. An estimated 230,000 people were killed in the disaster, making it one of the deadliest earthquakes of all time. The quake also caused major destruction to the region’s infrastructure, leaving many without homes or access to food and water. Although the quake happened centuries ago, its legacy of destruction and death still lingers today.
5- Tangshan, China
Deaths: 242,000
Year: 1976
Photo Credit: SBS
Tangshan, China suffered the deadliest earthquake of the 20th century in 1976. Over 242,000 lives were lost in just a few moments as the magnitude 7.5 quake struck. Buildings shook and crumbled, leaving thousands of people buried alive beneath the rubble. Survivors described the ground as being “split apart like a cracked eggshell.” People were engulfed in clouds of dust and debris as they ran for their lives. Entire neighborhoods were wiped out in the blink of an eye.
The death toll was so great that the Chinese government initially kept the tragedy a secret. The earthquake was so powerful that it was felt over 1,000 miles away in Beijing. In the weeks and months that followed, relief efforts were hampered by aftershocks and a lack of supplies. It would take years for the region to rebuild and recover from the disaster. Even today, the effects of the Tangshan earthquake are still felt in the lives of those who were affected by it.
4- Antakya, Turkey
Deaths: 250,000
Year: 525
The Antakya earthquake of 525 AD was one of the deadliest earthquakes in history. It struck the city of Antakya in modern day Turkey, killing an estimated 250,000 people. The quake was felt throughout the Mediterranean region and is estimated to have measured between 8 and 8.5 on the Richter scale. It was so powerful that it caused the ground to shake for up to four minutes, making it one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded. Buildings in the city were completely destroyed, leaving thousands of people homeless. The quake also triggered devastating landslides and floods, further compounding the destruction. In the aftermath of the quake, a large portion of the city was rebuilt, but it was never able to fully recover from the destruction caused by the earthquake. To this day, the Antakya earthquake of 525 AD remains one of the deadliest earthquakes in recorded history.
3- Antakya, Turkey
Deaths: 260,000
Year: 115
Antakya, Turkey experienced one of its deadliest earthquakes in 115 AD. The magnitude of the quake was estimated to be about 7.5 on the Richter scale. The quake caused widespread destruction and took the lives of an estimated 260,000 people. It also caused significant structural damage to the city. The quake was also felt in neighboring cities, including Aleppo and Antioch. Earthquake was followed by several aftershocks, which further damaged the area and caused more casualties. The quake was so powerful that it was felt as far away as Rome, Italy.
The disaster was so severe that it took several years for the city to recover. The quake also triggered several landslides, resulting in additional fatalities. After the disaster, several initiatives were taken to help the affected population, including construction of new homes, provision of food and medical aid, and setting up of relief camps. The earthquake of 115 AD remains one of the deadliest and most destructive earthquakes that Antakya, Turkey has ever experienced.
2- Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Deaths: 316,000
Year: 2010
The 2010 Port-au-Prince earthquake was one of the deadliest earthquakes in modern history. It struck Haiti on January 12th, 2010, measuring a staggering 7.0 magnitude. The quake caused widespread destruction across the city and surrounding areas, leaving an estimated 316,000 people dead and over a million homeless. The quake also triggered a series of destructive tsunamis, landslides, and fires, resulting in further destruction and loss of life. As a result of the extensive damage, many of the city’s infrastructure and services were destroyed, including roads, power and water supplies, leaving many Haitians in desperate need of humanitarian relief. The quake also had a devastating impact on the country’s economy, leading to a severe decline in the standard of living for many Haitians. The 2010 Port-au-Prince earthquake was a devastating tragedy, but it also highlighted the need for improved disaster preparedness and relief, especially in countries vulnerable to natural disasters.
1- Shanxi, China
Deaths: 830,000
Year: 1556
The deadliest earthquake to ever strike the earth was in Shanxi, China occurred in 1556. It was so powerful that it caused untold devastation and destruction throughout the region. The quake was so severe that more than 830,000 people perished in the disaster. It caused widespread destruction of homes and public buildings, leaving many people homeless and destitute. The earthquake was so strong that it generated a tsunami that flooded many areas and caused a great loss of life. The shockwave from the quake was felt as far away as Beijing and beyond.
The quake also triggered several landslides, which caused further destruction and loss of life. Aftershocks from the earthquake continued for weeks, adding to the destruction. The quake caused such widespread damage that it took months for the region to recover. The aftermath of the earthquake was catastrophic, with thousands of people left devastated by the tragedy. The 1556 Shanxi earthquake remains one of the deadliest natural disasters ever recorded.
