11 powerful earthquakes that shook the world

A massive earthquake today jolted North India, Pakistan and Afghanistan around 3 pm IST.15 people were reportedly killed in Pakistan, according to Geo NewsTremors were felt for around 40 seconds in national capital Delhi, which disrupted normal life and created panic among denizens.The US Geological Survey said the epicentre lay 45 km south-southwest of Jarm in Afghanistan, around 240 km from capital Kabul.It put the intensity at 7.7 on the Richter scale.The quake in Hindu Kush region was 190 deep, explaining why it was felt at such large distances.We bring to you 11 powerful quakes that caused severe devastation to the world1. Nepal Earthquake 2015A powerful earthquake shook Nepal on April 25 near its capital, Katmandu, killing over 2,200 people, flattening sections of the city's historic center, causing widespread damage, and trapping many under its debris.The earthquake destroyed many historical landmarks, including the UNESCO World Heritage temples at Basantapur Durbar Square and the Dharara tower, both in central Kathmandu. The Kathmandu Valley is listed as a World Heritage site. The Buddhist stupas, public squares and Hindu temples are some of the most well-known sites in Kathmandu, and now some of the most deeply mourned.This is the fifth significant earthquake in Nepal in the last 205 years, including a massive one in 1934 that levelled the city.Determining the largest earthquakes can be a difficult task. Below here is a list of all known 10 Strongest earthquakes measured or estimated to have a moment magnitude scale or Richter magnitude scale of 8.5 and above.2. Valdivia Earthquake, Southern ChileMagnitude: 9.5 MwDeaths: 1,655Date: May 22nd, 1960It was the world's most powerful earthquake that killed approximately 1,655, injured 3,000 and left two million homeless. It occurred in the afternoon and its resulting tsunami affected southern Chile, Hawaii, Japan, the Philippines, eastern New Zealand, southeast Australia, and the Aleutian Islands in Alaska.3. Great Alaskan EarthquakeMagnitude: 9.2Deaths: 141Date: Mar 27th, 1964The 1964 Alaskan earthquake was massive, resulting in destruction of structures, and causing tsunami. The devastation following the earthquake caused about 141 deaths. It was the most powerful recorded earthquake in U.S. and North American history, and the second most powerful ever measured by seismograph. The shaking lasted about 4 minutes.4. Off the west coast of northern Sumatra Magnitude 9.1Deaths: 227,898Date: Dec 26th, 2004The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea megathrust earthquake, with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The earthquake lead to a series of devastating tsunamis along the coasts of most landmasses bordering the Indian Ocean, killing over 230,000 people in fourteen countries. The countries hit by the eartquake were Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand.5. Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami, Japan Magnitude: 9.0 MwDeaths: 15,870Date: Mar 11th, 2011It was an undersea megathrust earthquake off the coast of Japan, with the epicenter approximately 70 kilometres (43 mi) east of the Oshika Peninsula of Tohoku. It was the most powerful known earthquake ever to have hit Japan, and one of the five most powerful earthquakes in the world since modern record. This quake – largest ever in Japan – killed an estimated 15,870 people and damaged some nuclear reactors.6. Kamchatka Earthquakes, Russia Magnitude: 9.0 MwDate: Nov 4th, 1952The world's first recorded magnitude 9.0 earthquake generated a 43-foot tsunami (13 m) locally.7. Offshore Maule, Chile Magnitude: 8.8Deaths: 525Date: 27 February 2010The 2010 Chile earthquake, having a magnitude of 8.8, was intense and shaking lasted for about three minutes. It ranks as the sixth largest earthquake ever to be recorded by a seismograph. The earthquake triggered a tsunami which devastated several coastal towns in south-central Chile and damaged the port at Talcahuano.8. Ecuador-Colombia Earthquake Magnitude: 8.8Deaths: 1,500Date: January 31, 1906The 1906 Ecuador-Colombia earthquake occurred at off the coast of Ecuador, near Esmeraldas. The earthquake had a magnitude of 8.8 and triggered a destructive tsunami that caused at least 500 casualties on the coast of Colombia.9. Rat Islands, Alaska Magnitude: 8.7Date: 4 February, 1965This massive quake triggered a tsunami of over 30 feet (10 meters). Despite its size, the quake caused little damage due to its remote location at the tip of the Aleutian Islands.10. Northern Sumatra, Indonesia Magnitude: 8.6Deaths: 1300Date: 28 March 2005Sumatra earthquake happened off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia. Approximately 1300 people were killed by the earthquake, mostly on the island of Nias.11. Assam-TibetMagnitude: 8.6Deaths: 780Date: 1950The 1950 quake killed at least 780 people, injuring thousands, and destroying many buildings.Source: U.S. Geological Survey. Data from 1990 onwards