Deadliest Tsunamis

Lisbon

Nov 1, 1755

This deadly Earthquake with a magnitude of 9, killed an estimate of 20,000 people. It triggered a fire that led to a tsunami. It struck on All Saint's Day, the holy day. This is ironic considering the devistation that insued on that day.

Krakatoa Eruption (Java/Sumatra)

Aug 26, 1883

Although the magnitude of this quake is unable to be measured, it took the lives of 36,000 people. 70% of the island was destroyed along with its surronding archipeligo which collapsed into a caldera.

Aleutian Earthquake, Alaska

Apr 1, 1946

This earthquake in Alaska killed 160 people with a magnitude of 8.1. Waves from the Pacific wide tsunami that was triggered traveled across the ocean at 500 mph.

Great Chilean Earthquake, Chile

May 23, 1960

This earthquake had a magnitude of 9.5 and took the lives of 61 people. The tsunami that it caused destroyed many homes and buildings in addition to having a world wide affect. It affected Southern Chile, Hawaii, Japan, Philippines, Eastern New Zealand, Australia, and the Aleutian Islands. This picture ia proof of the destruction it caused.

Good Friday Earthquake, Alaska

Mar 27, 1964

This earthquake lasted 4 min 38 sec. With a magnitude of 9.2, it remains the most powerful earthquake in North American history. It killed 130 people.

Hokkaido Earthquake, Japan

Jul 12, 1993

The island of Okushiri was hit the hardest within just 2-7 minutes of the quake. 120 people lost their lives to this 7.8 magnitude earthquake.

Papua New Giunea Quake, Papua New Guinea

Jul 17, 1998

More than 2,100 people were killed due to this 7.1 magnitude quake. Later work suggested that an underwater landslide had occured as a result.

Sumatra Earthquake, Indonesia

Dec 26, 2004

A baffling 230,000 people lost their lives due to this tsunami. 135,000 homes were severely damaged. It was a magnitude of 9.1.

Samoa Earthquake, Samoan Islands

Sep 29, 2009

This quake killed about 200 people with a magnitude of 8.1. a tsunami was generated and destroyed hundreds of homes. New Zealand scientists recorded that the waves were 46 ft tall at their highest point.

Chilean Earthquake, Chile

Feb 27, 2010

The magnitude of 8.8 generated a tsunami in Chile that killed abut 700 people. the intense shaking from the earthquake lasted about 3 minutes. It also generated a blackout that affected 93% of the Chilean population.

Tohoku Earthquake, Japan

Mar 11, 2011

This magnitude 9.1 earthquake killed over 20,000 people. It was followed by over 5000 aftershocks, the largest of which reached magnitude 7.9.

Sulawesi Earthquake, Indonesia

Sep 27, 2018

The recent earthquake was reported a magnitude 7.5 led to a tsunami and killed over 2,100 people. It was preceded by foreshocks, the largest of which was a magnitude 6.1.