10 Most Powerful Recorded Earthquakes

Earthquakes have destroyed many cities and taken many lives over the course of history. Unfortunately, as of now, Man is yet to discover a way to predict earthquakes. Seismologists are only able to rate the intensity of an earthquake (Moment Magnitude Scale) after its occurrence by measuring the amount of energy released. Methods have been devised to preempt earthquakes.

However, in front of the most powerful quakes, most preemptive methods are rendered ineffective. Following is a list of the ten earthquakes with the largest magnitudes in recorded history.


1960 Valdivia Earthquake



1964 Alaska Earthquake



2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake



1952 Kamchatka Earthquake



2011 Sendai Earthquake



1833 Sumatra Earthquake



1906 Ecuador-Colombia Earthquake



2010 Chile Earthquake



1700 Cascadia Earthquake



1730 Valparaiso Earthquake