Most Damaging Tsunamis

By brendanmcdonald
  • Lisbon Earthquake (Portugal) Magnitude: 9 Death Toll: About 20,000

    Lisbon Earthquake (Portugal) Magnitude: 9 Death Toll: About 20,000

    In combination with subsequent fires and a tsunami, the earthquake almost totally destroyed Lisbon.
  • Krakatoa Eruption (Java/Sumatra) Magnitude: 6 Death Toll: More than 36,000

    Krakatoa Eruption (Java/Sumatra) Magnitude: 6 Death Toll: More than 36,000

    This 1883 eruption generated the loudest sound ever reported in history.
  • Aleutian Earthquake (Alaska) Magnitude: 8.1 Death Toll: About 160

    Aleutian Earthquake (Alaska) Magnitude: 8.1 Death Toll: About 160

    Estimate about 26 million in damage from earthquake.
  • Great Chilean Earthquake (Chile) Magnitude: 9.5 Death Toll: 61

    Great Chilean Earthquake (Chile) Magnitude: 9.5 Death Toll: 61

    It was the most powerful earthquake in recorded history with a 9.5 magnitude.
  • Good Friday Earthquake (Alaska) Magnitude: 9.2 Death Toll: About 130

    Good Friday Earthquake (Alaska) Magnitude: 9.2 Death Toll: About 130

    Port Valdez suffered a massive underwater landslide from the earthquake.
  • Hokkaido Earthquake (Japan) Magnitude: 7.2 Death Toll: 120

    Hokkaido Earthquake (Japan) Magnitude: 7.2 Death Toll: 120

    Devastated Okushiri Island & shores of Hokkaido.
  • Papua New Guinea Quake (Papua New Guinea) Magnitude: Death Toll: 7.1 More than 2100

    Papua New Guinea Quake (Papua New Guinea) Magnitude: Death Toll: 7.1 More than 2100

    The country did not have a communication plan put into place.
  • Sumatra Earthquake (Indonesia) Magnitude: 9.1 Death Toll: About 230,000

    Sumatra Earthquake (Indonesia) Magnitude: 9.1 Death Toll: About 230,000

    Material losses were estimated at 10 billion.
  • Samoa Earthquake (Samoan Islands) Magnitude: 8.1 Death Toll: About 200

    Samoa Earthquake (Samoan Islands) Magnitude: 8.1 Death Toll: About 200

    Generated by unusual type of trench earthquake.
  • Chile Earthquake (Chile) Magnitude: 8.8 Death Toll: About 700

    Chile Earthquake (Chile) Magnitude: 8.8 Death Toll: About 700

    Nearly 400,000 homes were damaged or destroyed.
  • Tohoku Earthquake (Japan) Magnitude: 9.1 Death Toll: Over 20,000

    Tohoku Earthquake (Japan) Magnitude: 9.1 Death Toll: Over 20,000

    Multiple aftershocks continued, many over magnitude 7.0
  • Sulawesi Earthquake (Indonesia) Magnitude: 5.6 Death Toll: 832

    Sulawesi Earthquake (Indonesia) Magnitude: 5.6 Death Toll: 832

    68,000 homes damaged or destroyed leaving so many people still displaced.