Deadliest Earthquake History

Deadliest Earthquake History

Deadliest Earthquake History, A look at the worst earthquakes in recorded history, in loss of human life. (These figures do not include the March 11, 2011, temblor off eastern Japan, the death toll of which is still not known.)


1: Shensi, China, Jan. 23, 1556
Magnitude about 8, about 830,000 deaths.

2: Tangshan, China, July 27, 1976
Magnitude 7.5. Official casualty figure is 255,000 deaths. Estimated death toll as high as 655,000.

3: Aleppo, Syria, Aug. 9, 1138
Magnitude not known, about 230,000 deaths.

4: Sumatra, Indonesia, Dec. 26, 2004
Magnitude 9.1, 227,898 deaths.

5: Haiti, Jan 12, 2010
Magnitude 7.0. According to official estimates, 222,570 people killed.

6: Damghan, Iran, Dec. 22, 856
Magnitude not known, about 200,000 deaths.

7: Haiyuan, Ningxia , China, Dec. 16, 1920
7.8 magnitude, about 200,000 deaths.

8: Ardabil, Iran, March. 23, 893
Magnitude not known, about 150,000 deaths

9: Kanto, Japan, Sept. 1, 1923
7.9 magnitude, 142,800 deaths.

10: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Oct. 5, 1948
7.3 magnitude, 110,000 deaths.

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