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Lisbon Earthquake (Portugal)
A magnitude of 9. 20,000 deaths. Caused severe shaking and heavy loss of life in Northern Africa, more than 400 miles away, in Morocco and Algeria. -
Krakatoa Eruption (Java, Sumatra)
A VEI of 6. 36,000 deaths. The top of the volcano dropped into the ocean causing a wave more than 35 m high. Released 20 million tons of Sulfur. -
Aleutian Earthquake (Alaska)
A magnitude of 8.1. Around 160 deaths. Caused over $250 million (1946 dollars) in damage. It is known as the April Fools tsunami because it reached Hawaii 4.5 hours after the earthquake occurred, and the people had little warning of the incoming wave. -
Great Chilean Earthquake (Chile)
A magnitude of 9.5. 61 Deaths. The wave traveled for 15 hours to cause a tsunami in Hawaii. Reportedly the strongest earthquake in recorded history. -
Good Friday Earthquake (Alaska)
A Magnitude of 9.2. 130 Deaths. Estimated property damage at $116 million (1964 dollars). The earthquake lasted for about 4.5 minutes. -
Hokkaido Earthquake (Japan)
A magnitude of 7.8. 120 Deaths. Within 2.5 minutes, large waves engulfed the coast of Japan, with a run-up of 15-30 m over a 20 km portion. -
Papua New Guinea Earthquake (Papua New Guinea)
A magnitude of 7.1. 2100 Deaths. Large undersea landslides caused a tsunami that resulted in thousands injured, 9500 homeless, and about 500 missing. -
Sumatra Earthquake (Indonesia)
A magnitude of 9.1. 230,000 Deaths. Also known as the Boxing Day tsunami. A megathrust earthquake occurred over a 900 mi fault line rupture. The deadliest disaster in modern history. -
Samoa Earthquake (Samoan Islands)
A magnitude of 8.1. 200 Deaths. Generated waves of up to 22 m that engulfed the shores. -
Chile Earthquake (Chile)
A magnitude of 8.8. 700 Deaths. Waves up to 29 m, left 46 missing, and around $30 billion in damage. -
Tohoku Earthquake (Japan)
A magnitude of 9.1. 20,000 Deaths. The earthquake lasted for around 6 minutes and left 6,167 injured. -
Sulawesi Earthquake (Indonesia)
A magnitude of 7.5. 4,340 Deaths. Left 10,979 injured, 667 missing, and 70,821 who had to be evacuated. Consisted of 32 aftershocks.