10 Strongest Earthquakes Ever Recorded

By Sushant Agarwal

Published on | Jul 30, 2025

Chile 1960 – World’s Biggest Quake

The Valdivia quake of 9.5 magnitude remains the strongest ever. Over 1,600 people died, and tsunami waves crossed oceans to hit Hawaii and Japan.

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Alaska 1964 – America’s Strongest

A 9.2 magnitude quake shook Alaska for nearly 5 minutes. It killed 130+ people, caused massive landslides, and brought weeks of aftershocks.

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Indonesia 2004 – Tsunami Catastrophe

A 9.1 quake off Sumatra triggered a tsunami that killed 230,000 across Asia and Africa. Indonesia suffered the most, with 167,000+ deaths.

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Japan 2011 – Quake & Nuclear Disaster

A 9.1 magnitude quake led to a deadly tsunami and meltdown at Fukushima. Over 18,000 died; many bodies were never found.

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Russia 1952 – Kamchatka Shocker

A 9.0 quake struck Kamchatka, sending 30-foot waves to Hawaii. Despite the scale, there were no reported deaths.

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Chile 2010 – Biobío Devastated

An 8.8 quake rocked Chile again, shaking Santiago for 90 seconds. Over 500 people died, and a tsunami followed.

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Ecuador 1906 – Pacific Reaches

An 8.8 magnitude quake and tsunami killed 1,500. Waves were felt as far as San Francisco and Japan.

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Alaska 1965 – Rat Islands Rattled

An 8.7 quake in Alaska triggered a 35-foot tsunami. Damage was limited, but it remains among the strongest in the region.

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Tibet 1950 – River Turned Killer

An 8.6 quake killed 780 in Assam and Tibet. Landslides blocked the Subansiri River, creating a deadly 7-metre wave when it burst.

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Sumatra 2012 – Warning Sign Returns

A powerful undersea quake struck off northern Sumatra. Though damage was limited, it raised tension along the same fault that caused the 2004 tsunami.

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Russia 2025 – Now Among the Strongest

A massive quake hit Russia’s Far East on July 30, 2025, triggering Pacific tsunamis; it ranks among the strongest ever recorded.

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