​Last 2 decades deadliest earthquakes ​

Tanvi Sharma

Feb 17, 2023

Sumatra, Indonesia earthquake 2004

A megathrust 9.1 magnitude earthquake with the epicentre off the west coast of Shaked Sumatra, Indonesia.

Image Source: Agencies

Killed over 2,30,000 people

The tsunami was a result of the earthquake. It was the world's deadliest tsunami, killing over 2,30,000 people in 14 different countries, mostly in Indonesia.

Image Source: Agencies

​One of the highest magnitude on Richter scale​

This was one of the highest-magnitude earthquakes recorded on the Richter Scale.

Image Source: Agencies

​The earthquake followed by fatal Tsunami​

​Minutes after the earthquake the tsunami waves hit Andaman and Nicobar islands. Interestingly, the tsunami managed to travel 5,000 km to Africa with sufficient force to cause casualties and damage property.​

Image Source: Agencies

​Tohoku, Japan earthquake 2011 ​

​Japan earthquake and tsunami of 2011, also called the Great Sendai Earthquake or Great Tohoku Earthquake occurred in northeastern Japan on March 11, 2011. ​

Image Source: AP

9.0 magnitude earthquake

The magnitude 9.0 earthquake began with a powerful earthquake off the northeastern coast of Honshu, Japan’s main island, which caused widespread damage on land and initiated a series of large tsunami waves.

Image Source: AP

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The earthquake killed 15,899 people

The earthquake shook buildings in the Japanese capital Tokyo, cutting power to hundreds of thousands of buildings across eastern and northeastern Japan.

Image Source: AP

​Japan, the world’s most seismically active area​

Earthquakes are common in Japan, one of the world's most seismically active areas, and Japan accounts for about 20% of the world's earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater.

Image Source: AP

Western Pakistan, earthquake 2013

​Several cities of Pakistan's Sindh and Balochistan provinces were hit by a massive aftershock measuring 6.8, three days after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck the region killing over 500 people.​

Image Source: PTI

​7.2 magnitude earthquake​

Pakistan's met office measured the earthquake at 7.2, while the US geological survey (USGS) recorded it at 6.8 on the Richter scale. Tremors were felt in provincial capitals Karachi and Quetta.

Image Source: PTI

​More than 500 people died​

While the official death count stands at 515, unofficial figures went as high as 700, with more than 800 injured. The earthquake left more than 50,000 people homeless in these areas.

Image Source: PTI

​Nepal 2015 earthquake​

A massive earthquake that rocked Nepal caused major devastation in the old area of the national capital Kathmandu.

Image Source: PTI

8,582 people were killed

The death toll from Nepal's two earthquakes has hit 8,583 - making it the Himalayan country's most deadly disaster.

Image Source: PTI

​7.8 magnitude earthquake​

The 7.8-magnitude quake demolished more than 500,000 homes. Following this, a second major quake struck 47 miles east of the capital Kathmandu, just as Nepalis were beginning to recover from the previous tremor.

Image Source: PTI

Turkey-Syria, earthquake 2023

A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked wide swaths of Turkey and Syria. It toppled hundreds of buildings and killed more than 41,000 people and injured thousands more.

Image Source: Reuters

Rescuers struggled to save people

Overwhelmed rescuers struggled to save people trapped under the rubble as the death toll from a devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria was increasing rapidly.

Image Source: AFP

​The earthquake was followed by a strong tremor​

The earthquake was followed by another strong tremor. The quake was felt across several provinces in the region, according to reports.

Image Source: NYT News Service

Second earthquake with 7.5 magnitude ​

A second major earthquake registering 7.5 on the Richter scale hit central Turkey just a few hours later, causing panic among rescue workers and survivors. Another quake of magnitude 6.0 hit the area, causing more damage and loss of lives.

Image Source: NYT News Service

Rescuers searched for survivors

Rescuers used heavy equipment and their bare hands to peel back rubble in search of survivors, who they could in some cases hear begging for help under the debris.

Image Source: NYT News Service

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