Most Damaging Tsunamis

Lisbon Earthquake (Portugal)

Nov 1, 1755

The magnitude of the earthquake was 9, and the death toll was 20,000 but just over 70,0000 in Portugal, Spain, and Morocco. If the Earthquake didn't kill you, then the following tsunami will. The tsunami took over 4 hours to travel over 1000 miles to Cornwall in the UK.

Krakatoa Eruption (Java/Sumatra)

Aug 26, 1883

The magnitude was a VEI of 6 and a death toll of 36,000. This cooled the entire earth by an average of 0.6C for months to come. The effect was so strong it was felt all over the globe even to the stratosphere, this even made the moon appear blue at night.

Aleutian Earthquake (Alaska)

Apr 1, 1946

This earthquake had a magnitude of 8.1 and a death toll of 106. The source of this earthquake was Hawaii but it was felt in Alaska. This cost over $300 million in damages and loss of its waterfront.

Great Chilean Earthquake (Chile)

May 23, 1960

This earthquake had a magnitude of 9.5 and a death toll of 1655 people. Caused $550 million in damages and left 2 million people homeless.

Good Friday Earthquake (Alaska)

Mar 27, 1964

This earthquake had a magnitude of 9.2 and a death toll of 130. This earthquake lasted 4.5 minutes and was the largest recorded earthquake at the time.

Hokkaido Earthquake (Japan)

Jul 12, 1993

This earthquake had a magnitude of 7.7 and a death toll of 230. This shaking caused moderately severe damage, VII on the Mercalli Scale. The tsunami occurred 2-7 minutes after.

Papua New Guinea Earthquake (Papua New Guinea)

Jul 17, 1998

This earthquake had a magnitude of 7.1 and a death toll of 1,600. 3 catastrophic tsunami waves followed. The sea bubbled and caused a wave almost killing more.

Sumatra Earthquake (Indonesia)

Dec 26, 2004

This earthquake had a magnitude of 9.1 and a death toll of 230,000 people. This is caused by vertical displacement of the seafloor, which affected other countries in the southeast, Asia, and southern Africa.

Samoa Earthquake (Samoan Islands)

Sep 29, 2009

This earthquake had a magnitude of 8.1 and a death toll of 200. This tsunami had waves up to 72 feet. This received an expedited Federal Major Disaster Declaration.

Chile Earthquake (Chile)

Feb 27, 2010

This earthquake had a magnitude of 8.8 and a death toll of 700. 2200 homes were destroyed, and tsunami waves were up to 50 feet.

Tohoku Earthquake (Japan)

Mar 11, 2011

This earthquake had a magnitude of 9.1 and a death toll of 20,000. This lasted about 6 minutes, causing a tsunami. This earthquake was also called the Great Sendai Earthquake.

Sulawesi Earthquake (Indonesia)

Sep 27, 2018

This earthquake had a magnitude of 7.5 and a death toll of 4,340. A meter tsunami was generated and they experienced 9 powerful earthquakes.