Most Destructive Tsunamis

Lisbon Earthquake (Portugal)

Nov 1, 1755

M 9.0
20,000 Deaths
The city of Lisbon was almost completely destroyed by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami because of poorly constructed buildings. The quake occurred on All Saints Day, and many churchgoers were crushed by collapsing churches.

Krakatoa Eruption (Indonesia)

Aug 26, 1883

Volcanic Eruption
36,000 Deaths
The sound generated by the eruption was so loud that it was heard in 50 different locations around the globe and the sound wave traveled around the Earth 7 times.

Aleutian Earthquake (Alaska)

Apr 1, 1946

M 8.1
160 Deaths
The tsunami generated by both the earthquake and a submarine landslide. The tsunami destroyed the Scotch Cap Lighthouse on Unimak Island, killing all 5 lighthouse keepers there.

Great Chilean Earthquake (Chile)

May 23, 1960

M 9.5
61 Deaths
The largest earthquake ever recorded with a magnitude of 9.5. Tsunami so powerful that it affected Hawai'i, Japan, and the Philippines.

Good Friday Earthquake (Alaska)

Mar 27, 1964

M 9.2
130 Deaths
The largest earthquake ever recorded in North America at a magnitude of 9.2. It generated earth movement so dramatic that effects were felt as far away as Lousiana.

Hokkaido Earthquake (Japan)

Jul 12, 1993

M 7.8
120 Deaths
The town of Aonae on the tip of Okushiri Island was greatly affected, but relatively few lives were lost because of the low population density of the area.

Papua New Guinea Earthquake

Jul 17, 1998

M 7.1

2100 Deaths
There was very little warning before the tsunami. Most people in the area lived on narrow sand spits, and whole settlements were washed into Sissano Lagoon. Many people had to relocate and build new villages.

Sumatra Earthquake (Indonesia)

Dec 26, 2004

M 9.1
230,000 Deaths
The earthquake lifted the ocean floor by as much as 40 meters and shifted the rotation of the planet. The tsunami hit several densely populated areas so the death toll was very high.

Samoa Earthquake

Sep 29, 2009

M 8.1
200 Deaths
The tsunami was actually triggered by two separate but closely timed quakes along the Tonga Trench. Because Samoa had been running nationwide tsunami drills since 2007, most people were prepared and many deaths were avoided.

Chile Earthquake

Feb 27, 2010

M 8.8
700 Deaths
The quake was triggered by water pressure buildup between the South American and Nazca plates. Aftershocks continued for weeks after the tsunami causing widespread electrical blackouts.

Tōhoku Earthquake (Japan)

Mar 11, 2011

M 9.1
20,000 Deaths
The most expensive natural disaster in history, causing over $220 billion in damage. Waves rose up to 132 feet high in some areas, and effects were felt as far as Peru and Chile.

Sulawesi Earthquake (Indonesia)

Sep 27, 2018

M 7.5
4340 Deaths
While a tsunami warning was issued 5 minutes after the earthquake, sirens did not go off in some areas. Palu Nomoni Festival-goers on Taise Beach were not warned of the coming tsunami. Roads and bridges were severely damaged, making rescue and recovery efforts difficult. More than 500 aftershocks created more damage.