In the Netherlands we regularly hear news reports about earthquakes in Groningen. Although the earthquakes in Groningen cause a lot of nuisance for the inhabitants of this province, these earthquakes cannot be compared with the largest earthquakes of all time. The largest earthquake in the world took place in Chile in 1960. This natural disaster killed about 3000 people. In Indonesia, Japan and Russia people were also startled by major tremors.
What is an earthquake
An earthquake is a vibration of the earth. These shocking movements or vibrations can be caused by volcanic eruptions, meteorite impacts, (nuclear) explosions and by the collapse of mines. However, earthquakes are mainly caused by the shifting of the earth’s crust. The moment a lot of energy is released in the earth’s crust at one time, there is an Earthquake.
Effects
An earthquake therefore always takes place at a certain point in the earth’s crust. That point is also called the epicenter. However, the vibrations released by the earthquake are not limited to the epicenter, but spread throughout the earth’s crust, so that an entire country can sometimes be hit by an earthquake. These surface vibrations cause an earthquake to leave a lot of material damage in the affected area. Houses are often completely destroyed and severe earthquakes can cause the death toll to reach thousands. The earthquake can cause tidal waves or tsunamis, which in turn can also cause major damage. An earthquake is therefore seen as a natural disaster with the highest number of deaths. A natural disaster is a disaster caused by nature and which has living beings as victims.
The heaviest earthquakes since 1900
1. Chile May 22, 1960
The earthquake in Chile, also known as the Valdivia earthquake, is the strongest earthquake of all time and measured 9.5 on the Richter scale. Earlier in the day the area was hit by a lighter earthquake, but still with a magnitude of 7.3 on the Richter scale. The epicenter of the two earthquakes was near the town of Niebla. This place is located 700 kilometers south of Santiago. The major earthquakes that took place in 1960 completely devastated the city of Puerto Saavedra, and the Chilean cities of Puerto Montt, Angol, Los Ángeles, Talcahuano and Valdivia also suffered many material damage. Many houses were completely destroyed. Given the extensive damage, the number of victims was not too bad. The affected area had about 3,000 dead. It has been fortunate that many people were in the more solidly built churches at the time of the earthquakes, to attend mass.
2. Aceh, Indonesia December 26, 2004
On Boxing Day 2004, the Indonesian region of Aceh was hit by an earthquake measuring 9.3 on the Richter scale, causing a tsunami. The epicenter of this earthquake was in the Indian Ocean, which is why this quake is also called a seaquake. 230,000 people did not survive this earthquake, which makes the 2004 Aceh earthquake the greatest natural disaster in history.
3. Alaska, USA March 28, 1964
The 1964 Alaska earthquake has gone down in the books as the Good Friday earthquake. This earthquake just before Easter is the strongest earthquake in the history of the United States. The magnitude 9.2 earthquake destroyed much of the coast, about 500 miles (800 km) away. The major earthquake in Alaska was followed by a major tsunami. Ultimately, the natural disaster resulted in relatively few casualties. 130 residents did not survive the Good Friday earthquake.
4. Russia November 4, 1952
On November 4, 1952, Russia’s Kamchatka peninsula was hit by an earthquake measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale. The earthquake was followed by a devastating tsunami that was felt as far as Chile and Peru. In total there were more than 2,300 victims.
5. Japan March 11, 2011
On March 11, 2010, the Japanese area of Sendai was hit by a major earthquake that resulted in a devastating tsunami. . The earthquake in Japan has made several nuclear power plants unstable. The death toll is estimated to be over 10,000.
Chile February 27, 2010
After 1960, Chile was hit again in 2010 by a very violent earthquake. The epicenter of the earthquake, measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale, was in Conepcion. Conepcion is the third largest city in Chile. The 1960 earthquake also took place in this area.
Ecuador January 31, 1906
In 1906 Ecuador was hit by an earthquake measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale. This resulted in a tsunami, in which about 1,500 people were killed.
8. Kuril Islands November 6, 1958
The Russian archipelago, the Kuril Islands, is part of an archipelago that stretches for a distance of approximately 1,200 km between the Russian Kamchatka peninsula in the northeast and the Japanese island of Hokkaido. In 1958 the area was hit by an earthquake measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale.
9. Alaska, USA February 4, 1965
One year after the 1964 earthquake, the American state of Alaska is again hit by an earthquake. The 8.7 magnitude earthquake hit the Aleutian Islands. The quake resulted in a tsunami.
10. Alaska, USA March 9, 1957
In 1957 the Andreanof Islands, belonging to Alaska, were hit by an earthquake. The 8.6 magnitude earthquake caused a major tsunami.