The strongest earthquake in history occurred on May 22, 1960 at 3:11 p.m. and devastated more than 40 percent of buildings and houses in Valdivia, Chile. The earthquake measured 9.5 on the Richter scale and resulted in thousands of casualties, with estimates suggesting up to 6,000 deaths. Additionally, thousands were injured and two million people were left homeless. The total damage caused by the earthquake in Valdivia exceeded three billion dollars. The epicenter of the earthquake was located 570 km south of the capital Santiago, and the resulting ground crack was about 1,000 kilometers long.
The earthquake triggered tsunamis not only in Chile, but also hit the coasts of Japan, the Philippines, and New Zealand. The tsunamis resulted in significant destruction, with 138 people losing their lives in Japan and 32 in the Philippines. The west coast of the United States was also affected by the tsunamis, causing additional damage amounting to half a billion dollars.
Prior to the major earthquake in Valdivia, three strong tremors shook the region, with the first measuring 8.1 on the Richter scale. These tremors caused significant damage as well, with the last one occurring just 15 minutes before the largest earthquake hit Valdivia. Chile, situated in an area of high volcanic and seismic activity, is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. In addition, 38 hours after the earthquake, the Cordon-Caulle volcano became active for the first time in 40 years, leading seismologists to believe it was linked to the Valdivia earthquake.
The earthquake in 2010 with a magnitude of 8.8 also had devastating consequences in Chile, causing significant damage and loss of life. Similarly, the earthquake in Alaska in 1964, measuring 9.2 on the Richter scale, led to a tsunami that claimed the lives of 28 people. The deadliest earthquake in modern history struck China in 1556, resulting in the death of 830,000 people. Subsequently, the earthquake off the coast of Sumatra in the Indian Ocean in 2004 was the third strongest recorded, resulting in the deaths of over 230,000 individuals.
In 1952, the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia experienced an earthquake with a magnitude of 9.0, resulting in significant damage but no human casualties. Finally, the earthquake in Haiti in 2010 claimed over 222,000 lives, making it the fifth deadliest earthquake in history. The earthquake left a million people homeless and caused widespread devastation in the region.