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Lisbon Earthquake - Portugal
The magnitude of this earthquake was around 8.5-9.0, and the death toll was 30,000 - 100,000. The earthquake was a symbol of human vulnerability and the unpredictable forces of nature. The earthquake struck on November 1, 1755, All Saints' Day, a major Catholic holiday. -
Krakatoa Eruption - Java/Sumatra
The magnitude of this earthquake is VEI of 6, and the death toll is 36,000. The volcanic material material formed an aerosol cloud that spread around the globe causing a significant global disturbance. The explosion of Krakatoa was so powerful that it was heard as far as 2,800 kilometers (1,740 miles) away, in places like Australia and the island of Rodrigues in the Indian Ocean -
Aleutian Earthquake - Alaska
The magnitude of this earthquake is 8.1, with a death toll of 165. The tsunami caused relatively few deaths in Alaska, the earthquake itself caused structural damage to buildings. Some people in the affected regions initially thought the tsunami warnings were a hoax, given the playful nature of the day. -
Great Chilean Earthquake - Chile
The magnitude of this earthquake is 9.5, and the death toll is 1,000 - 6,000. The earthquake lasted an unusually long time, it was in motion for of about 10 minutes. The earthquake ended up fundamentally altering the geography of southern Chile. -
Good Friday Earthquake - Alaska
The magnitude of this earthquake was 9.2, and the death toll was 131. It is the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in the U.S and the second strongest in the world. The prolonged duration of the tremors caused widespread damage and made it more difficult for people to escape or respond to the situation. -
Hokkaido Earthquake - Japan
The magnitude of this earthquake was 7.8, with a death toll of 230. The tsunami caused by the earthquake had waves reaching up to 30 meters/98 feet. The majority of the fatalities were due to building collapses, landslides, and other quake-related accidents. -
Papua New Guinea Earthquake - Papua New Guinea
The magnitude of this earthquake was 7.0, and the death toll was 2,183. Many of the villages and towns hit by the quake are difficult to access due to the country’s mountainous terrain and lack of infrastructure. This meant that delivering humanitarian aid was slow, and it took significant effort to provide food, water, and medical supplies to survivors. -
Sumatra Earthquake - Indonesia
the magnitude of this earth quake was about 9.1 - 9.3 , and the death toll of this earthquake was around 230,000 - 280,000. The earthquake caused the earths axis to shift by about 1 inch and the planets rotation shortened by 2.68 microseconds. Sumatra remains one of the most seismically active regions in the world. -
Samoa Earthquake - Samoa Islands
The magnitude of this earthquake was 8.1, with a death toll of 189. The tsunami hit just about 15-30 minutes later, making casualties higher. The 2009 earthquake and tsunami demonstrated the vulnerability of the Samoa Islands to natural disasters. As a result, Samoa continues to prioritize disaster risk reduction through measures such as building earthquake-resistant infrastructure, improving early-warning systems, and community education to minimize future risks. -
Chile Earthquake - Chile
The magnitude of this earthquake was 8.8 and a death toll of 525. It also caused the earths axis to shift and shortened days by about 1.26 microsecond, just like the Sumatra earthquake. Despite the frequent occurrence of powerful earthquakes, Chile has built a reputation for its resilience in responding to seismic disasters. -
Tohoku Earthquake - Japan
The magnitude of this earthquake was 9.1 with a death toll of 15,899. The displaced Japan trench by 79 feet in some locations. The displacement of people was extensive, with over 300,000 people being forced into evacuation centers. -
Sulawesi Earthquake - Indonesia
The magnitude of this earthquake is 7.5, and its death toll is 4,300. Palu bay is tectonically active and is a part of the Sulawesi trench. Some of Indonesia's cultural heritage was lost in the disaster, including historic buildings, temples, and religious sites, particularly in Palu and nearby cities. The cultural loss was felt deeply by local communities who have strong ties to their traditions and landmarks.