On late Wednesday morning, local time, a huge earthquake struck Russia’s eastern coast in Kamchatka. The massive 8.8-magnitude quake was one of the most powerful ever recorded, triggering tsunami alert across the Pacific including Japan, Canada and parts of the U.S.
Earthquakes are among the most devastating natural disasters, capable of leveling cities, triggering tsunamis, and reshaping landscapes. While earthquakes occur regularly around the globe, only a few have reached the highest levels of magnitude ever recorded.
These seismic events stand out not only for their raw power but also for their significant human and environmental impact. Below are seven most powerful earthquakes in recorded history.
1. The 1960 Valdivia Earthquake, Chile (Magnitude 9.5)
The most powerful earthquake ever recorded struck off the coast of Chile on May 22, 1960. Known as the Valdivia earthquake, it registered a staggering magnitude of 9.5 on the moment magnitude scale.
The quake lasted approximately ten minutes and affected a vast area, causing widespread destruction in southern Chile. Entire towns were flattened, and the city of Valdivia suffered significant damage.
The earthquake also generated a massive tsunami that swept across the Pacific Ocean, reaching Hawaii, Japan, the Philippines, and even the west coast of the United States.
In total, an estimated 1,000 to 6,000 people died, and over two million were left homeless. The economic cost and geographic reach of the event remain unmatched in modern history.
2. The 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake, Indonesia (Magnitude 9.1 - 9.3)
On December 26, 2004, a massive undersea earthquake struck off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia. Measuring between 9.1 and 9.3 in magnitude, it was one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history.
The rupture occurred along a 1,600-kilometer section of the fault line between the Indian and Burma tectonic plates. What followed was a catastrophic tsunami that swept across the Indian Ocean, devastating coastal communities in 14 countries, including Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, and Somalia.
The tsunami claimed over 230,000 lives, displaced millions, and caused billions of dollars in damage. The disaster prompted a global humanitarian response and led to the establishment of improved tsunami warning systems across the region.
3. The 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake, United States (9.2)
In March 27, 1964, Alaska was struck by the most powerful earthquake in U.S. history. Known as the Great Alaska Earthquake, it measured 9.2 in magnitude and lasted approximately four and a half minutes.
The quake caused massive ground shaking, landslides, and tsunamis that affected coastal areas from Alaska to California. Anchorage suffered extensive damage, and the port town of Valdez was destroyed. A total of 131 people died, mostly due to the tsunami that followed.
The quake significantly altered the landscape and led to important advancements in seismic research and building practices in the United States.
4. The 2011 Tōhoku Earthquake, Japan (Magnitude 9.1)
On March 11, 2011, Japan was rocked by the Tōhoku earthquake, a magnitude 9.1 quake that struck off the northeastern coast of Honshu. The earthquake was the most powerful ever recorded in Japan and one of the costliest natural disasters in history.
The shaking lasted for about six minutes and triggered a massive tsunami that reached heights of over 40 meters in some areas. The wave overwhelmed sea defenses and caused widespread destruction along Japan’s Pacific coast.
One of the most serious consequences of the disaster was the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear crisis, in which a series of reactor meltdowns released radioactive materials.
Nearly 20,000 people died or went missing, and hundreds of thousands were displaced. The disaster deeply affected Japan’s infrastructure, energy policy, and disaster preparedness systems.
5. The 1952 Kamchatka Earthquake, Russia (Magnitude 9.0)
Peninsula in the Russian Far East. With a magnitude of 9.0, it generated a powerful tsunami that reached as far as Hawaii, New Zealand, and South America. The tsunami caused significant damage in the Hawaiian Islands, particularly in Hilo, where waves reached up to 9 meters in height.
Fortunately, due to the remote location of the earthquake's epicenter, the loss of human life was relatively low compared to other quakes of similar strength. Nonetheless, the Kamchatka earthquake remains one of the most powerful seismic events ever recorded.
6. The 2010 Maule Earthquake, Chile (Magnitude 8.8)
Chile experienced another massive earthquake on February 27, 2010, in the Maule region. The quake measured 8.8 in magnitude and lasted for about three minutes. It affected a large portion of central Chile, including the capital, Santiago.
The earthquake caused widespread destruction to buildings, bridges, and infrastructure, and it triggered a tsunami that impacted coastal areas and even reached across the Pacific. Over 500 people died, and approximately 1.8 million people were affected.
Despite the devastation, Chile’s improved building codes and emergency response mechanisms helped limit the loss of life compared to past disasters.
7. The 2025 Kamchatka Earthquake, Russia, (Magnitude 8.8)
On July 30, 2025, an 8.8‑magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, with its epicenter about 119 km southeast of Petropavlovsk‑Kamchatsky.
At a shallow depth (~18–20 km), Russian authorities called it the strongest on record in the instrumental era for the region.
The earthquake generated tsunami warnings across the Pacific, impacting Japan, Hawaii, Alaska, and others, and caused waves up to 4 meters in Kamchatka.
