Largest Earthquakes in History
The following is a top ten list of the largest earthquakes ever recorded in history by magnitude. While there have been a large number of earthquakes that have measured a magnitude of between 8 and 9, there are only six on record that have measured between 9 and 10. Earthquakes such a these release huge amounts of energy and are incredibly dangerous to human life, especially if they trigger tsunamis or are centered near areas of high population. | | |
| | | | 1. | Valdivia, Chile | | 9.5 | 2. | Sumatra, Indonesia | | 9.3 | 3. | Prince William Sound, Alaska, USA | | 9.2 | 4. | Kamchatka, USSR | | 9.0 | 4. | Arica, Chile | | 9.0 | 4. | Cascadia subduction zone, Canada and USA | | 9.0 | 7. | Maule, Chile | | 8.8 | 7. | Ecuador and Colombia | | 8.8 | 7. | Sumatra, Indonesia | | 8.8 | 10. | Rat Islands, Alaska, USA | | 8.7 | 10. | Lisbon, Portugal | | 8.7 | 10. | Valparaiso, Chile | | 8.7 |
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