This Wednesday, July 30, a Magnitude earthquake 8.8 The peninsula of Kamchatkaat the eastern end of Russiagenerating waves of concern From Alaska to Japan. The images from Severo-Kurilsk, with streets covered with water and families fleeing from their homes, brought to memory scenes that many would prefer not to relive.
For several hours, the Pacific coasts They prepared for the worst: chain tsunami alert, mass evacuations, closed schools, detained trains, and an entire population looking at the sea with fear. In Japanmore than 900,000 people They sought refuge in high areas. In Hawaii and Alaska Similar alarms lit.
Is Kamchatka The epicenter of a historical tragedy or a new chapter in the long list of devastating tremors?
One by one, the 7 most devastating earthquakes in history
Chile, 1960 – Magnitude 9.5
He was called the great earthquake in Valdivia was so powerful that He broke the records. On May 22, 1960, the south of Chili He literally was left in two. He Great earthquake not only reduced cities to debris in minutes, but also caused a tsunami that The Pacific crossed: He killed 130 people in Japan already 61 in Hawaii. It is estimated that More than 6,000 people They died in the epicenter region.
Chile 1960 earthquake
Alaska, 1964 – Magnitude 9.2
A Good Friday that was marked forever. On March 27, the floor of Alaska He broke and exposed a shocking reality. In Anchorage, the streets sank as if they were paper. The sea did not forgive: the tsunami razed coastal cities. They died 139 peoplemany of them by drowning.
Indian Ocean, 2004 – Magnitude 9.1
It was a real tragedy without borders. On December 26, while many enjoyed the parties, the sea swallowed entire villages. An underwater earthquake unleashed giant waves up to 30 meters that reached the coasts of 14 countries. They died more than 240,000 people. Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand were the most beaten. It was the most fatal natural disaster of this century.
Earthquake 2004
China, 1556 – Magnitude 8.2
In the ancient city of Xi’anon January 23, a devastating earthquake left 830,000 dead. It is the largest figure of fatal victims for a tremor that has been documented. Adobe’s constructions collapsed as card castles, and the chronicles of the time speak of a land that literally “opened in two.”
China, 1920 – Magnitude 7.8
On December 16, the northeast of China He lived a nightmare. In Gansu, the call Haiyuan earthquake devoted entire peoples. An avalanche buried a complete village. More than 200,000 people They died. In that mountainous and remote area, it took it to arrive; And that is why many did not survive the cold or hunger.
Japan, 2011 – Magnitude 9.1
On March 11, an earthquake in front of Thoku It caused a tsunami that advanced like a water wall, sweeping everything. 22,000 people lost their livesand more than 400,000 buildings They were destroyed. But the most frightening was what came later: Fukushimathe nuclear plant hit by a 14 -meter wave, released radiation and lit a crisis that still persists.
Japan earthquake 2011
China, 1976 – Magnitude 7.1
At 3:41 in the morning, when everyone slept, the earth trembled with fury in Tangshan140 kilometers from Beijing. 242,000 people died. The impact was such that Millions of houses They were uninhabitable. China declared national mourning and the entire country was marked for that dark night.
Haiti, 2010 – Magnitude 7.0
Small in number, Huge in devastation. January 12, Haitithe poorest country on the continent, collapsed. Some areas saw fall to 90 % of their homes. It is estimated that they died between 200,000 and 500,000 people. The international community went mass, but fifteen years after the disaster, the consequences are still suffering.
Haiti earthquake 2010
Kamchatka earthquake, its place among the most devastating history
The earthquake of Kamchatka Not only shook the Russian peninsula: he also shook the memory of all the great earthquakes of the past. With a magnitude of 8.8and among the most intense ever measured. It exceeds Haiti’s and is dangerously approaching the levels of Chile 2010 or Japan 2011.
Although until now the damage has been minor And no fatal victims are registered, that does not mean that the threat has happened. More than 30 replicassome of them up to 6.9. And specialists do not rule out that they continue for weeks.
Source: Ambito
