Check out the biggest earthquakes in history

In the early hours of April 3rd, Taiwan was shaken by a 7.7 magnitude earthquake, the strongest recorded in the country in 25 years. The tremor left at least nine dead and more than 900 injured, according to information from local authorities. The city of Hualien, near the epicenter, was particularly hard hit, with 26 buildings collapsing. Rescue teams are on the move, trying to save 77 people trapped in rubble and collapsed tunnels.

How earthquakes are formed

Tectonic plates are, roughly speakingpieces in a giant soup of lava beneath the Earth’s crust. When they collide, an earthquake occurs. It is estimated that around 20,000 earthquakes occur each year, and of these, 16 register high magnitudes, that is, greater than 7.

The best known measurement scale is the Richter. However, over the years, scientists have noticed flaws in their calculation and recently adopted the “moment magnitude,” which ranges from 1 to 10. Check out some of the biggest earthquakes in history:

Earthquake in Severo-Kurilsk, Russia (1952)

In 1952, the city of Severo-Kurilsk, located in Russia’s Kuril Islands, was devastated by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake. The undersea tremor triggered a 60-foot tidal wave that crashed toward the Russian coast. Although residents had taken refuge on higher ground, many returned to their homes after the first wave, unaware that a second was on the way. The disaster resulted in the death of half the population, and the city had to be rebuilt on a higher level.

Tohoku, Japan earthquake (2011)

Japan was struck in 2011 by the largest earthquake in its history, measuring 9.1 in magnitude. The epicenter was 45 miles (72 km) off the coast of Honshu, the country’s largest island. Waves measuring nearly 130 feet (40 meters) overtopped coastal protections, causing massive destruction. The subsequent tsunami hit the Fukushima nuclear power plant, causing a radioactive leak whose effects persist to this day. About 22,000 people lost their lives, and the earthquake was so powerful that it shifted the island of Honshu 8 feet (2.4 meters) to the east and altered the Earth’s axis.

Sumatra, Indonesia earthquake (2004)

The 2004 Sumatra earthquake, measuring 9.1 in magnitude, is considered the largest natural disaster in Asia and the worst of the 21st century. The earthquake occurred when the Burma microplate overlapped the Indian plate, causing a devastating tsunami with waves as high as 30 meters. The disaster affected 14 Southeast Asian countries, with a total of 228,000 deaths, with the worst affected being Sri Lanka, Thailand and India.

Alaska Earthquake, USA (1964)

In 1964, Alaska was rocked by a magnitude 9.2 earthquake that affected nearly 1,000 km of tectonic plates. The city of Anchorage, the largest city in the state and located just 121 km from the epicenter, suffered severe damage. With little preventive infrastructure, many buildings collapsed and several areas were permanently lowered by up to 2.4 meters. This event left a deep mark on the state’s history.

Earthquake in Valdivia, Chile (1960)

The largest earthquake ever recorded occurred in Chile in 1960, reaching a magnitude of 9.5. The epicenter was near the city of Valdivia, and the tremor lasted for about ten minutes. The earthquake generated devastating tsunamis and caused the deaths of 5,700 people, in addition to destroying numerous structures along the coast. As a result of the tremor, the Cordón Caulle volcano erupted two days later, remaining active for 59 days.

Summary for those in a hurry

• Taiwan suffered the largest earthquake in 25 years, with a magnitude of 7.7, resulting in 9 deaths and more than 900 injuries.
• Severo-Kurilsk, Russia (1952): Magnitude 9.0 earthquake followed by devastating tsunami.
• Tohoku, Japan (2011): 9.1 magnitude earthquake that caused the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
• Sumatra, Indonesia (2004): 9.1 magnitude earthquake and the biggest natural disaster of the 21st century.
• Alaska, USA (1964): 9.2 magnitude earthquake causes significant devastation in Anchorage.
• Valdivia, Chile (1960): The largest earthquake in history, with a magnitude of 9.5, followed by a volcanic eruption.