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1908 Messina Earthquake and Tsunami
On December 28, 1908, a dip-slip earthquake with a 7.1 magnitude occurred in the Strait of Messina. Only ten minutes after the quake, a tsunami struck the cities of Messina and Reggio Calabria, which were devastated after the event. Casualties following the catastrophe ranged from 75,000 to 200,000 people. -
1952 Severo-Kurilsk Earthquake and Tsunami
On November 5, 1952, an earthquake with a magnitude of 9.0 occurred off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. The quake created a massive tsunami that devastated many towns, primarily Severo-Kurilsk, whose citizens fled following the earthquake. After the first wave of the tsunami struck, many citizens returned to their homes before the second wave hit, which killed many. 2,336 people died as a result of the disaster. -
1958 Lituya Bay Megatsunami
On July 10, 1958, a strike-slip earthquake with a 7.8 magnitude caused a colossal landslide at Lituya Bay. The landslide, which traveled several hundred feet down a mountainside into the bay, created a megatsunami that devastated Lituya Bay. Despite the enormous size of the tsunami, only five people died due to the area being remote. -
1960 Valdivia Earthquake and Tsunami
On May 22, 1960, a megathrust earthquake with an extreme 9.5 magnitude occurred near the Chilean town of Lumaco. The earthquake generated a tsunami that battered Chile, wreaking the most havoc in the city of Valdivia. Sources differ heavily on the death toll, ranging heavily from 1,000 to 6,000 people. -
1964 Alaska Earthquake and Tsunami
On March 27, 1964, a megathrust earthquake with a 9.2 magnitude occurred off the coast of Anchorage, Alaska. The earthquake triggered a series of tsunamis, with the disaster ultimately resulting in the deaths of 139 people. -
1976 Moro Gulf Earthquake and Tsunami
On August 17, 1976, a megathrust earthquake with an 8.0 magnitude occurred near Moro Gulf in the Philippines. The quake resulted in a tsunami that killed around 8,000 people. Ninety percent of the casualties were due to the tsunami itself. -
1998 Papua New Guinea Earthquake and Tsunami
On July 17, 1998, a dip-slip earthquake with a 7.0 magnitude triggered an undersea landslide that gave way to a tsunami, which killed at least 2,200 people. The event helped scientists realize that even small earthquakes and underwater landslides could lead to massive tsunamis. -
2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami
On December 26, 2004, a megathrust earthquake with an approximate 9.1 magnitude. The earthquake occurred off the coast of Sumatra, and triggered a massive tsunami that ravaged fourteen countries bordering the Indian Ocean. Over 230,000 people died as a result, with the lack of a tsunami warning system only worsening the death toll. It was the deadliest tsunami in recorded history. -
2009 Samoa Earthquake and Tsunami
On September 29, 2009, a submarine earthquake with an 8.1 magnitude occurred off the coast of Samoa, creating a tsunami that crashed into the country. Nearly 200 people died in the disaster. -
2010 Chile Earthquake and Tsunami
On February 27, 2010, a megathrust earthquake with an 8.8 magnitude struck the coast of central Chile. The country was poorly prepared for such a disaster, with many people being susceptible to its effects. 525 people died as a result of the earthquake and tsunami. -
2011 Tōhoku Earthquake and Tsunami
On March 11, 2011, a megathrust earthquake with a 9.1 magnitude occurred in the northwestern Pacific Ocean off the coast of Japan. Japan's well-built structures survived the earthquake, but the devastating tsunami that came as a result tore through Japan and wreaked havoc. Nearly 16,000 people were left dead by the catastrophe, which became the world's costliest natural disaster.
