Damaging Tsunamis- Will Norris

Lisbon Earthquake-Portgugal

Nov 1, 1755

This earthquake had a magnitude of 8.5 to 9.0. The death toll was 30,000 to 50,000. It was one of the deadliest earthquakes ever recorded. It led to the modern seismology and earthquake engineering. Reports from the time claim it lasted 3.5 minutes up to 6 minutes.

Krakatoa Eruption (Java/Sumatra)

Aug 26, 1883

This eruption had a VEI of 6. 36,317 people were killed. The explosions from the eruption were so loud, they could be heard 3,100 miles away. 20 million tons of sulfur were released in the eruption. Seismic activity was noted up until 1884.

Aleutian Earthquake (Alaska)

Apr 1, 1946

The earthquake had a magnitude of 8.6, and the death toll was 165-175. Waves moved at a speed of 500 mph, and they were 55 ft. high. The tsunami is known as the April Fool's Day Tsunami as well, because it took place on April 1st and many though it was an April Fool's prank. The earthquake and tsunami prompted the creation of the seismic wave scale warning system.

Great Chilean Earthquake (Chile)

May 23, 1960

The earthquake's magnitude was 9.4-9.6. The death toll was around 1,655 people. This was the most powerful earthquake ever recorded. Waves reached 82 ft. in Chile. The earthquake interrupted and ended a coal miner's march in Lota demanding higher salaries.

Good Friday Earthquake (Alaska)

Mar 27, 1964

This earthquake had a magnitude of 9.2, and a death toll of about 131. Most powerful earthquake in American history. Some areas in Kodiak were permanently raised 30 feet. Tsunami were noted in over 20 countries.

Hokkaido Earthquake (Japan)

Jul 12, 1993

The magnitude of the earthquake was 7.7, and the death toll was 230. Southern Russia was also hit by a tsunami. The tsunami reached Okushiri between 2-7 minutes after the earthquake. A warning went out five minutes after the earthquake but it was too late.

Papua New Guinea Quake (Papua New Guinea)

Jul 17, 1998

The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.0. It killed an estimated 2,183 to 2,700 people. The tsunami was actually caused a large undersea landslide. The maximum height of the waved reached 49 ft. Many villages moved buildings further away from shore when they rebuilt.

Sumatra Earthquake (Indonesia)

Dec 26, 2004

This earthquake had a magnitude of 9,1-9.3. The death tool was 227,898. The waves reached 100 ft. The earthquake affected 14 countries. Over $14 billion was donated.

Samoa Earthquake (Samoan Islands)

Sep 29, 2009

The earthquake had a magnitude of 8.1 and it killed 189 people. It was the largest earthquake in 2009. There were 40 aftershocks 40 hours after the main shock hit. Waves reached 46 ft. at the highest.

Chile Earthquake (Chile)

Feb 27, 2010

This earthquake had a magnitude of 8.8. It resulted in 525 deaths. There were tsunami warnings issued in 58 countries. It triggered a blackout that affected 93 percent of the Chilean population. The losses to the Chilean economy were 15-30 billion dollars.

Tohoku Earthquake (Japan)

Mar 11, 2011

The earthquake had a magnitude of 9.0-9.1. 15,899 people were killed. The earthquake caused $360 billion in damages. It was the most powerful earthquake in Japan. The earthquake even moved Honshu island 8 ft. to the east.

Sulawesi Earthquake (Indonesia)

Sep 27, 2018

This earthquake had a magnitude of 7.5. It had a death toll of 4,340, making it the deadliest earthquake of 2018. Soil liquefaction resulted in many buildings being submerged. It was the largest liquefaction in the world, and very rare.