The Five Worst Killer Earthquakes in History

Shaanxi Earhquake

The worst earthquake recorded in history happened in China in the year 1556. The number of death toll is unknown yet traditionally it is being given an 830, 000. The reason for the numerous death is that most of the people lived in artificial caves in Loess cliffs that collapsed during the catastrophic incident. The earthquakes caused many landslides that made the caves collapse. All in all there are about 840-kilometre or 520 miles destroyed during the earthquake.

Indian Ocean Earthquake
In the year 2004, an earthquake with a magnitude of 9.1 to 9.3 hit the indian ocean that caused a tsunami, known as the Boxing Day Tsunami. The initial death toll by the associated press reported a number of 100, 100 dead people but after the final count, it was reported that the death toll rised up to 225,000. The after effect was so great that it even reached Maldives and Thailand.

Tangshan Earthquake
The said tragedy happened on July 28, 1976 that killed 255,000 people. It is said that it is the second worst earthquake that happened all over the world. According to the Richter Magnitude Scale, it recorded a 8.2 magnitude earthquake. The earthquake lasted for about ten seconds.

Haiyuan Earthquake
The disaster happened in the year 1920. According to Richter Magnitude Scale, the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.8, but then China claimed that it was 8.5. Whatever was the correct madnitude, it sure did kill thousands of people. Total casualty was reported as 200,000 in a summary published by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), and 240,000 according to “Ningxia Daily”, a Chinese publication in the current administrative area.

Aleppo Earthquake
This disaster happened in the year 1138 that was located near the town of Aleppo in northern Syria. According to history the the earthquake was an earthquake with an 8.5 magnitude. It is labeled as the fourth worst earthquake in the world killing 230, 000 people.