- Earthquake Damage - kconnors
Earthquakes in Haiti and Chile in 2010 got the world’s attention because of the destruction and lives lost, but where do they rank on a list of largest or deadliest earthquakes in history? Tsunamis and fires that commonly occur after an earthquake add to death tolls. Based on the number of deaths and magnitudes, it does not appear that today’s earthquakes are any larger or more destructive than in any other time in history.
Earthquakes in 2010
In February, 2010 Chile suffered an 8.8 earthquake. In a list of the top fifteen largest earthquakes in history, all fifteen are 8.5 or larger, including the 2010 quake. While high on the magnitude list, not all suffered the same degree of destruction. Only five quakes since 1900 have been recorded equal to or more powerful than the one that struck Chile in February 2010. One of these five was near the same area in Chile in 1960.That was also the largest earthquake on record, measuring 9.5.
Largest Earthquake in History
The day before the 9.5 earthquake struck, Chileans felt tremors across a large area of the country. On that day four separate earthquakes registered a magnitude of 7.0 or greater. One of these four was a 7.9 near the Pacific Coast in Concepcion. On their own, any one of these could have done some damage, but more destruction was suffered after these so-called smaller earthquakes led to the magnitude 9.5 quake. The massive earthquake then caused the eruption of the Cordon Calle volcano two days later.
Damage was severe and widespread in 1960 as a result of the earthquakes, volcano activity, and tsunamis. More than two million people were left homeless. Landslides and volcano activity contributed to the devastation. At the end of four days more than 2,000 people were dead and 3,000 men, women, and children were injured. $550 million in damage was estimated in southern Chile.
The tsunami after the 1960 Chile earthquake was responsible for at least 61 deaths and $75 million in damage to Hawaii. Japan also recorded 138 deaths and $50 million in damage, also due to tsunamis. Thirty-two people were dead or missing in the Philippines; and approximately $500,000 in damage was done in the United States on the west coast. The town of Puerto Saavedra was completely destroyed by waves up to 38 feet high causing damage up to two miles inland.
Deadliest Earthquakes in History
Among the largest earthquakes in history, the two in Chile in 1960 and 2010 are not rated in the top twenty-five deadliest earthquakes. Number one on that list goes to China, Shansi in 1556, with an estimated 8.0 magnitude and 830,000 deaths. Also on the deadliest list is the January 2010 quake in Haiti which was recorded at only 7.0 magnitude. While still terrifying, 7.0 does not usually cause such damage.
Unfortunately because the area was highly populated, the 2010 earthquake in Haiti caused more death and destruction than many larger earthquakes. The 2010 quake appears at number five on the deadliest list. Only four earthquakes in history have been more fatal. The death toll numbers can be much worse than first reported, because of conditions caused after the earthquake. Contaminated water in Haiti killed even more people as a result of the quake. Haiti, already a poor economic country, is suffering results from the damage into the future.
Last report, the Haiti earthquake is responsible for 222,570 deaths and 1.3 million people relocated. The 2010 quake was the smallest of the top twenty five, but fifth on the list of those twenty-five most deadly. All of the top fifteen largest earthquakes were at least 8.5 in magnitude, but none of these larger quakes caused that much destruction.
References:
Livescience Staff. "Deadliest Earthquakes in History"
USGS National Earthquake Information Center. "Largest earthquakes in the world since 1900"
Susie Howeth - Working from my home office in Southern California, I enjoy researching, compiling information and writing on just about any subject. My ...
