The earthquake in Chile in 1960 had the largest magnitude measured on the Richter scale, amounting to 9.5. The second most powerful earthquake since 1900 took place in Alaska in 1964. An earthquake with a magnitude of 9.0 and higher is defined as causing near or at total destruction - severe damage or collapse to all buildings.
Earthquakes and the Richter scale – additional information
Although, earthquakes can be difficult to predict, Earthquake Early Warning systems, which use seismic networks for detection, are put in place to protect peoples' lives. There are also a number of ways to measure the magnitude of an earthquake. One of the first and most widely-used methods is the Richter scale. The Richter magnitude scale was developed by the seismologist, Charles F. Richter, in 1935. On the Richter Scale, magnitude is expressed in whole numbers and decimal fractions, but is based on a logarithmic scale. For example, a magnitude 5.3 might be computed for a moderate earthquake, and a strong earthquake might be rated as magnitude 6.3.
Deadliest earthquakes
Despite its strong magnitude, the earthquake in Chile in 1960 does not appear on the list of the 10 deadliest earthquakes in the world since 1900. The 1976 earthquake in Tangshan, China, caused the highest death toll, while the earthquake that hit Haiti in 2010 caused the second highest death toll.
Strongest earthquakes worldwide according to measurements on the Richter scale as of 2023
Characteristic
Magnitude on the Richter scale
Chile (1960)
9.5
Prince William Sound, Alaska (1964)
9.2
West Coast North Sumatra (2004)
9.1
Japan, east of Honshu (2011)
9.1
Kamchatka (1952)
9
Near the coast of Ecuador (1906)
8.8
Offshore Bio-Bio, Chile (2010)
8.8
Rat Islands, Alaska (1965)
8.7
South of Alaska (1946
8.6
West Coast North Sumatra (2012)
8.6
Assam, Tibet (1950)
8.6
Andrean of Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska (1957)
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US Geological Survey. (January 9, 2024). Strongest earthquakes worldwide according to measurements on the Richter scale as of 2023 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved September 01, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/267017/strongest-earthquakes-worldwide-since-1900/
US Geological Survey. "Strongest earthquakes worldwide according to measurements on the Richter scale as of 2023." Chart. January 9, 2024. Statista. Accessed September 01, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/267017/strongest-earthquakes-worldwide-since-1900/
US Geological Survey. (2024). Strongest earthquakes worldwide according to measurements on the Richter scale as of 2023. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: September 01, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/267017/strongest-earthquakes-worldwide-since-1900/
US Geological Survey. "Strongest Earthquakes Worldwide According to Measurements on The Richter Scale as of 2023." Statista, Statista Inc., 9 Jan 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/267017/strongest-earthquakes-worldwide-since-1900/
US Geological Survey, Strongest earthquakes worldwide according to measurements on the Richter scale as of 2023 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/267017/strongest-earthquakes-worldwide-since-1900/ (last visited September 01, 2024)
Strongest earthquakes worldwide according to measurements on the Richter scale as of 2023 [Graph], US Geological Survey, January 9, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/267017/strongest-earthquakes-worldwide-since-1900/