Deadly Tsunamis - Adriana Lastra

Lisbon Earthquake (Portugal)

Nov 1, 1755

This earthquake had a magnitude of 8.5-9.0. The death toll was from 30,000-50,000. Following the earthquake, candles that were lit in homes and churches for Saints' Day, were knocked over causing a fire, which turned into a firestorm. Eighty-five percent of Lisbon's buildings were destroyed like famous palaces and libraries.

Krakatoa Eruption (Java/Sumatra)

Aug 26, 1883

The eruption had a VEI of 6 and a death toll of 36,417. The eruption was almost continuous could be heard every ten minutes. Each explosion was also accompanied by tsunamis estimated to have been over 30 meters (98 feet) high in places.

Aleutian Earthquake (Alaska)

Apr 1, 1946

This earthquake had a magnitude of 8.6 and a death toll that ranges from 165-173. A tsunami, which was a result of the earthquake was known as the April fools day tsunami because it occurred on April 1st and people thought the tsunami was a prank. The waves created by the earthquake demolished 77 homes and other buildings.

Great Chilean Earthquake

May 23, 1960

This earthquake's magnitude was from 9.4-9.6 and the death toll was 1,000-6,000. The first three quakes were registered as the planet's top 10 by magnitude in 1960. Earthquakes formed a southward migrating foreshock sequence to the main Valdivia shock.

Good Friday Earthquake (Alaska)

Mar 27, 1964

The earthquakes magnitude was about 9.2 and the death toll 32. There was tectonic tsunami produced in addition to about 20 smaller and local tsunamis. It is also likely that the toll would have been higher if the quake occurred after 5 PM on Good Friday.

Hokkaido Earthquake (Japan)

Jul 12, 1993

The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.7 and the death toll of 230. The area is currently being deformed by contractional tectonics, causing inversion. The tsunami that was caused reached Okushiri between 2 and 7 minutes after the earthquake.