The Friday earthquake in Japan has left many thousands dead. Thousands of others are injured. Homes and businesses have been destroyed. Correspondent Gavin Blair reports there are fears that nuclear reactors may go awry. Some even consider the damage done by the estimated magnitude 8.9 trembler was worse than what was experienced during World War II. A quick look at history reveals that there have been even worse earthquakes in our recent recorded history. We will examine the three worst all-time earthquakes and the damage they caused.
Chile 1960
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the worst recorded earthquake occurred May 22, 1960. This earthquake measured 9.5 on the Richter Scale. This would make it at least 50 times more powerful than the Japan earthquake.
Damage in Chile alone included 1,655 killed, 3,000 injured, 2 million homeless and $550 million damage. The resulting tsunami left 61 dead and $75 million damage in Hawaii. Japan also received horrible damages from the tsunami: 138 dead and $50 million in damage. Thirty-two died or went missing in the Philippines, and the West Coast of the United States suffered $500,000 in damage.
Aftershocks from this earthquake continued until November of that year, and were probably responsible for the eruption of Volcan Puyehue two days later.
Alaska 1964
The second-largest recorded earthquake was in Alaska in 1964. The 9.2 quake occurred March 27 at Prince William Sound. The Alaska Earthquake Information Center states the epicenter of the earthquake was about 75 miles from Anchorage. This earthquake was at least 20 times more powerful than the earthquake in Japan.
Damage estimates were $300 million to $400 million in 1964 dollars. That equates to $2 billion to $2.8 billion in 2011 dollars. This was a result of numerous landslides, avalanches and structural damage in major Alaskan cities. U.S. casualties included 115 in Alaska and 16 in Oregon and California. This earthquake was felt through all of Alaska, parts of Canada, and even south to Washington state.
The resultant tsunami caused the deaths in Oregon and California. Doug Christenson states Florida, Texas and even South Africa felt affects from the tsunami.
Sumatra 2004
The Sumatra earthquake of 2004 was remarkable in its extent. It was approximately 900 miles long, or longer than the state of California. The U.S. Geological Survey states this earthquake measured 9.1, or about 10 times more powerful than the Japan earthquake.
The California Institute of Technology Tectonics Observatory stated tsunamis as high as 100 feet high were reported.
There is no clear connection between the dates of these earthquakes and their intensity. In other words, it is not clear that the earthquakes are getting worse. Earthquakes seem to occur in some sort of random pattern, with the worst recorded occurring half-a-century ago, and one almost as bad as the one in Japan occurring less than ten years ago. Instead of becoming fearful and believing that the world is getting worse, we should instead learn how to deal with our ever-changing environment.
Sources
Doug Christenson. “The Great Alaska Earthquake of 1964.” AEIC.
Gavin Blair. “Hilltop City in Japan becomes a refuge for earthquake, tsunami survivors.” Christian Science Monitor.
“Historic Earthquakes: Chile.” USGS.
“Magnitude 9.1 – Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra.” USGS.
“What happened during 2004 Sumatra Earthquake.” CITTO.
