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The most powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake in recorded history was attacked on Russian coasts on Tuesday, prompting tsunami clocks and warnings around the world. But how is it measured in the strongest earthquake in history?
The US Geological Survey (USGS) earthquake records date back to about 1900, but since then there have been several earthquakes registered above 9.0.
1. Valdivia earthquake
Damage caused by the 1960 Chilean earthquake, the biggest earthquake of the 20th century. (Getty)
The most powerful took place in Biobio, Chile in 1960. According to the USGS, the 9.5 magnitude Valdivia earthquake, also known as the Chilean earthquake, killed around 1,655 people and left 2 million homeless people.
2. Great Alaska Earthquake
(Original Caption) Anchorage, Alaska: The incredible earthquake that shook the city late March 27th dropped a line of cars 20 feet below 4th Avenue and a regular level. This street, like everyone else, was left cracked and torn apart like a brittle photo of a peanut. March 29, 1964.
Four years later, a 9.2 magnitude earthquake rocked Alaska and created a tsunami, which in combination with the earthquake killed at least 130 people and caused more than $2 billion in damage. The earthquake was also known as the Prince William Sound earthquake or the Good Friday earthquake.
3. Sumatra Andaman Islands Earthquake
Meulaboh, Indonesia: Summary shows Meulaboh City underwater on December 28, 2004.
According to the USGS, the earthquake that shook Sumatra, Indonesia and the Andaman Islands caused a fatal tsunami that killed more than 280,000 people and evacuated more than 1 million people.
Before Tuesday’s earthquake, the 10 largest earthquakes since 1900 are:
4. Magnitude 9.1 (2011). Tohoku, Japan 5. Magnitude 9.0 (1952). Kamchatka Krai, Russia 6. Magnitude 8.8 (2010). Biobo, Chile7. Mignitude 8.8 (1906). Esmeraldas, Ecuador 8. Magnitude 8.7 (1965). Alaska 9. Magnitude 8.6 (1950) Arunachal Pradesh, India10. Magnitude 8.6 (2012). Sumatra, Indonesia
On Tuesday, tsunami warnings were issued southward towards New Zealand, on Alaska, Hawaii and other coasts, after an earthquake struck 74 miles east-southeast of a Russian city with a population of 180,000 on the Kamchatka Peninsula. A powerful aftershock, the size of 6.9, was recorded.
Some locations advised evacuation, but no major injuries were reported.
The car packed Honolulu streets and highways as the tsunami alert coincided with Tuesday afternoon rush hour. Warning sirens blew as people moved to the highlands. Hawaiian schools have cancelled after-school and evening activities.
According to Japanese weather agencies, a 50cm (1.6ft) tsunami has been detected at Ishino Port in northern Japan. This was the best measurement ever of several locations around northern Japan.
The Russian region closest to the epicenter of the Kamchatka Peninsula earthquake reported damage and evacuation but was not seriously injured.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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