7 Worst & Biggest Earthquakes

Shensi, China on Jan. 23, 1556

The biggest Earthquake recorded with the Magnitude about 8, it occurred in the Shaanxi province, China. The earthquake was so devastating that it killed more than 830,000 people and damage extended to 270 miles northeast of the epicenter. It is one of the biggest earthquakes with geographical effect included uplift, liquefaction, landslides, ground fissures, and subsidence. In this earthquake, many strong city walls and town collapsed, leaving people homeless.

Tangshan, China on July 27, 1976

No one can forget the earthquake that hit China on July 27, 1976 with the magnitude of 7.5. The epicenter was Tangshan, but the damaged extended to Beijing. Official report of deaths is 255,000, but the actual figure was as high as 655,000 deaths. This earthquake is one of the most damaging natural disasters in last four centuries.

Aleppo, Syria on Aug. 9, 1138

Aleppo was one of the biggest cities of Syria, and the biggest earthquake striked on Aug. 9, 1138. The magnitude is not known, but it killed more than 230,000 people. The most devastating was the collapse of Aleppo’s castle that killed hundred of residents. 

Sumatra, Indonesia on Dec. 26, 2004

Sumatra earthquake was recent that occurred on Dec. 26, 2004 with the magnitude of 9.1, killing more than 227,898 people. Many people were missing and presumed dead and more than 1.7 million people were homeless and dislocated. 

Haiti on Jan 12 on 2010

On Jan 12, 2010 Haiti faced one of the biggest earthquake in its history. The magnitude of this earthquake recorded was 7.0 and as per the official estimates, 222,570 people were killed. More than 300,000 were also injured, according the official estimate. Around 1.3 million were displaced, 97,294 houses destroyed in the Port-au-Prince area and around 188,383 houses damaged in the southern Haiti. 

Kanto, Japan on Sept. 1, 1923

The Earthquake with 7.9 magnitudes that killed 142,800 people on Sept 1, 1923 at Kanto, Japan is one of the most devastating natural disasters ever recorded. The people not only faced extreme temblor and following firestorms, that burned many houses completely or partially. It has given a name the Great Tokyo Earthquake and the damage were most severe in Yokohama. There were 6 feet of permanent uplift recorded on the north shore of Sagami Bay.

Haiyuan, Ningxia, China  on Dec. 16, 1920

China faced maximum earthquake disaster that includes Haiyuan, Ningxia on Dec. 16, 1920. Here the earthquake recorded with 7.8 magnitude, and killed more than 200,000 people. In this earthquake, many rivers changed course and other rivers were dammed.