5. 2010 Haiti earthquake The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake. The earthquake on 12 January 2010.
By 24 January, at least 52 aftershocks measuring 4.5 or greater had been recorded. An estimated three million people were affected by the quake.
The Haitian government reported that an estimated 316,000 people had died, 300,000 had been injured and 1,000,000 made homeless.
The government of Haiti also estimated that 250,000 residences and 30,000 commercial buildings had collapsed or were severely damaged.
6. 1920 Haiyuan earthquake This devastatingly powerful earthquake hit China at 8.5 magnitude (Richter scale) killing 273,400 people in the Haiyuan County (an Autonomous Region) but it also rocked neighbouring provinces namely Gansu and Shaanxi.
This was one of the most intense and highest magnitude earthquakes recorded in the 20th century to hit China.
The damage was severe and the death toll was not established until 1921.
7. 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea megathrust earthquake that occurred on December 26, 2004, with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia.
The resulting tsunami is given various names, including the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Asian Tsunami, Indonesian Tsunami, and Boxing Day Tsunami.
The earthquake was caused by subduction and triggered a series of devastating tsunamis along the coasts of most landmasses bordering the Indian Ocean, killing over 230,000 people in fourteen countries, and inundating coastal communities with waves up to 30 meters (100 feet) high.
Indonesia was the hardest hit, followed by Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand. With a magnitude of between 9.1 and 9.3, it is the third largest earthquake ever recorded on a seismograph.
This earthquake had the longest duration of about 10 minutes. It caused the entire planet to vibrate as much as 1 cm (0.4 inches)and triggered other earthquakes as far away as Alaska.
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