THE MOST DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKES OF THE LAST CENTURY

Hundreds of thousands of lives were lost because of the devastating earthquakes that happened in the last 100 years. The earthquake that struck Japan at the end of last week is one of the most powerful and also one of the most devastating earthquakes of the last 100 years. The 8,9 magnitude earthquake hit the North East coast of Japan on Friday, in the Sendai area, 400 kms distance from Tokyo. The earthquake was followed by hundreds of aftershocks ( 7,4 magnitude maximum ) and by a devastating tsunami. However, it was the not only earthquake that had devastating consequences. Earthquakes with a magnitude of up to 9 happened before, causing the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people world wide. And the most devastating earthquake happened in Japan in 1995, who caused damages worth more than 200 billion dollars. Some of the most devastating earthquakes that hit Earth in the last 100 years: 1906: United States. San Francisco, California: the 7,8 magnitude earthquake ended in 3000 dead bodies and caused 524 million dollars in damages.

1908, Italy. Messina was struck more than 100 years ago by a 7.5 magnitude earthquake that killed 25,926 people and caused damages worth 116 million dollars.

1923, Japan: a 8,3 magnitude Earthquake took place in Tokyo in 1923. 142,800 people died and the damages were assessed at 2.8 billion dollars.

1936, Pakistan:the 7.5 magnitude Earthquake killed 35,000 people and caused 25 million dollars damages.

1939, Chile: a 8.3 magnitude earthquake took place in Concepcion. 28,000 people died. The material damages were estimated at 100 million dollars.

1939, Turkey: The same year, Turkey was also affected by a 8 magnitude earthquake. 36,740 people died and the damages were estimated at 20 million dollars.

1960,Morocco The earthquake was not as powerful as the preceding ones, being only a 5.9 magnitude earthquake, however it killed 12,000 people and caused 120 million dollars in damages.

1970, Peru a 7.7 magnitude Earthquake struck Chimbote, Pero, more than 40 years ago. More than 67,000 people lost their lives and the damages were estimated at 550 million dollars.

1976, China This is one of the most devastating earthquakes of the last century. This 8 magnitude earthquake killed 290,000 people and caused 5,6 billion dollars in damages.

1976, Guatemala 1.1 billion dollars in damages and 20,084 victims were caused by the 7.5 magnitude earthquake.

1985, Mexico The 8 magnitude Earthquake produced 4 billion dollars in damages. Happily, the number of victims was lower only 10,000 people died.

1988, Armenia. The 6.9 magnitude earthquake produced 25,000 victims and 14 million dollars in damages.

1989, United States. San Francisco is hit by a 7 magnitude earthquake again. 68 people died. The damages were assessed at 6 billion dollars.

1955, Japan a 7.2 magnitude earthquake takes place in Kobe, and caused 6,348 victims and 200 billion dollars in damages.

1999, Turkey a 7.4 magnitude earthquake took place in Turkey in 1999. 19,118 people died and 20 billion dollars damages were caused.

2004, Indian Ocean followed by a devastating tsunami, the 9.2 magnitude earthquake killed 230,000 people.

2008, China The Sichuan province suffered an 8 magnitude earthquake that killed 68,000 people and caused 20 billion dollars in damages.

2010, Chile the 8.8 magnitude earthquake killed 486 people.

2011, Japan the 8.9 magnitude earthquake that hit Japan that caused a devastating tsunami. This earthquake is not only devastating for the Japanese people, but it also impacts the worlds economy.

Source: Xianet Fresh News http://www.xianet.net/2011/03/photos-the-most-devastating-earthquakes-of-the-lastcentury/