10 Deadliest Earthquakes Of The 21st Century

Southeast Asia (2004)

A massive earthquake of magnitude 9.1 on the Richter scale hit the coasts of Sumatra on December 26. It triggered a tsunami killing more than 230,000 people throughout the region.

Haiti (2010)

On January 12, an earthquake of magnitude 7 hit Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince leaving the national capital and its surrounding areas in shambles. The quake killed over 200,000 people and left 1.5 million homeless.

Sichuan, China (2008)c

The Sichuan earthquake of magnitude 7.9 on May 12, 2008, killed more than 87,000 people, including 5,335 school pupils.

Kashmir and Pakistan (2005)

On October 8 an earthquake of magnitude 7.6 struck Pakistans North-West Frontier Province and Pakistani-occupied Kashmir killing more than 73,000 people. Some 3.5 million people were also displaced.

Bam (Iran) (2003)

Major destruction of life and property took place in Bam (Iran) when an earthquake of magnitude 6.6 struck the region on December 26, killing at least 31,000 people.c

Gujarat (2001)

Gujarat was struck by a massive earthquake of magnitude 7.7 that killed more than 20,000 people. Major fatalities were reported from Bhuj.

Japan (2011)

Japan experienced major destruction of life and property when an enormous 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck the island triggering a towering tsunami along the countrys northeastern coast. Around 18,000 people were left either dead or missing.

Turkey and Syria (2023)

The Turkey-Syria earthquake of magnitude 7.8 struck the region on February 5. Another smaller earthquake of 7,5 magnitude hit the region later. After three days the death toll rose to 11, 200.

Nepal (2015)

In April 2015 an earthquake of magnitude 7.8 struck central Nepal that triggered avalanches and landslides across the Himalayas. Major loss of life and property took place after this quake with a death toll of over 9000.

Java (2006)

The southern coast of the Indonesian island of Java, near the city of Yogyakarta, was struck with a magnitude of 7.8-magnitude on May 26 that killed more than 6000 people. Moreover, around 420,000 were left homeless and some 157,000 houses were destroyed.