10 Most Destructive Tsunamis in Human History

 



Tsunamis are Mother Nature's worst nightmare. These powerful waves can travel as fast as a jet plane and can destroy everything and anyone in their path, including entire neighborhoods and entire villages. Large earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and underwater explosions are the main causes of tsunamis. We'll be looking at 10 of the most devastating tsunamis in history.

 

2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami

 The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and earthquake were among the most devastating natural disasters of human history. On Dec. 26, 2004, the undersea megathrust earthquake hit Sumatra, Indonesia's west coast. It was the third-largest ever recorded earthquake and had a magnitude of 9.1-9.3. A series of tsunamis followed the powerful earthquake, which was believed to have released the energy of 23,000 Hiroshima atomic bombs. The tsunamis, which were 100 feet high, swept across the Indian Ocean, destroying 11 countries along its coast, including Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, and Sri Lanka, and killing more than 230,000 people.

1755 Lisbon Tsunami and Earthquake

 The 1755 Lisbon earthquake, tsunami and subsequent destruction were a devastating natural disaster. Lisbon, Portugal was severely damaged by the megathrust earthquake of November 1, 1755. It was centered in Atlantic Ocean. Researchers believe that the earthquake may have been a magnitude 9.0. The tsunami that swept through the city and harbor immediately after the earthquake caused a deadly tsunami. The tsunami swept people and debris into water, wrecked boats, and destroyed homes and buildings. The tsunami's devastating effects could be felt in many coastal areas of Spain, Portugal, and North Africa. Around 10,000 people died in Lisbon during the natural catastrophe.

1868 Arica Tsunami

 - On August 16, 1868, an earthquake of 8.5 magnitude struck the Peru-Chile Trench off Peru's southern coast, destroying Arica. A massive tsunami swept across the Pacific from Japan to Arica after the earthquake. Two American ships were hit by the tsunami's 90-foot waves, killing all but two of its crew members. The tsunami also destroyed buildings and homes in Arica, causing about 25,000 deaths. The tsunami caused approximately $300 million of damage and claimed the lives of around 70,000 people in South America.

1908 Messina earthquake and Tsunami

 A 7.5-magnitude earthquake off Messina's coast, Italy on Dec. 28, 1908 caused a devastating tsunami to form. Soon after, 40-foot waves crashed into Messina and other coastal cities. The tsunami was not predicted and the town was completely unprepared. The tsunami and earthquake destroyed nearly all buildings in Messina and possibly killed up to 200,000 people. This greatly reduced the city's population.

2011 Sendai earthquake and tsunami

 The Sendai megathrust quake struck the Pacific Ocean close to Northeastern Japan on March 11. 2011. The powerful tsunamis that swept the Pacific Ocean were triggered by the massive 8.9-9.0 magnitude earthquake. In just minutes, 33-foot waves swept along Japan's coast. They damaged roads and railways, and caused a dam to fall. Fukushima Prefecture saw additional evacuations after two nuclear reactors were partially destroyed. The National Police Agency has confirmed 2,414 deaths, but many more are missing.

1960 Hilo Tsunami - On May 23, 1960, Hilo (Hawaii) was struck by a devastating tsunami that decimated hundreds of buildings and businesses and left 61 people dead. An 8.25-8.5-magnitude earthquake from the west coast of South America caused the tsunami. The 35-foot waves crashed into Hilo Bay, some parts of the island and took place 15 hours later. Eight separate tsunami waves smashed into Hilo Bay and other parts of the island, ranging from 4-14 feet above sea level. The damage caused by the tsunami reached as high as $75 million.

1896 Honshu tsunami: A 7.6-magnitude earthquake at the underwater fault caused severe water displacement and a devastating tsunami in Honshu, Japan on June 16, 1896. Many people in Kamaishi, along the Sanriku Coast of Honshu, felt the earthquake 120 miles away. However, many ignored it. Within 30 minutes, tsunami-like waves of 115 feet smashed into the town and decimated many coastal villages. The tsunami claimed nearly 27,000 lives that day.

1498 Meio Nankaido earthquake and tsunami: A powerful tsunami struck Japan's coast on Sept. 20, 1498 after an 8.6 magnitude earthquake was felt near the Nankai Trough. An estimated 31,000 people were killed by the 56-foot high waves.

1946 Aleutian Tsunami - On April 1, 1946, an earthquake of 7.4 magnitude near Alaska's Aleutian Trench caused large sections of the seafloor along the fault to rise and create a tsunami that swept across the Pacific. The earthquake caused 100-foot waves to crash into the U.S. Coast Guard lighthouse on Scotch Cap on Unimak Island. This destroyed the building and killed all five occupants. Although the Aleutian Islands protected the Alaskan mainland, the beaches of Hawaii Islands were not as fortunate. The tsunami flooded Hilo's entire waterfront, killing 159 people.

1883 Krakatoa Sunami - On August 27, 1883, Krakatoa Island in the Sunda Strait burst into flames. Multiple eruptions caused the walls to burst and seawater entered the magma chamber. This resulted in the devastating explosion that decimated two-thirds the island. The explosion caused a series of devastating tsunamis that sent waves up to 90 feet high crashing onto the shores of Indonesia, India, as well as other islands. More than 36,000 people were killed and several coastal communities were destroyed by the powerful tsunami.

Alan Liam

I am Professional Blogger, SEO Expert and Digital Marketer. My name is Alan Liam.

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