10 Worst 21st-Century Earthquakes

When nature shows its fury, nothing can come in the way. Natural calamities like earthquake, Tsunami only spells disaster causing harm to life, property, structures and loss of money due to these damages. From the very start of the 21st century till date the world has encountered such disasters. Countries have been petrified with these terrors at the hands of Mother Earth but man can’t do anything, just simply stand witness to these calamities that destroy life, property, leave many homeless. Let’s take at a look at 10 worst 21st century earthquake from the latest backwards.

2011 Tohoku Earthquake

For a populous coast of Honshu Japan, the people had to encounter calamities of all kinds on 11th March 2011 with the 9.0 magnitude earthquake which immediately triggered a giant tsunami of over 33 feet high along the coastal area and also suffered a nuclear disaster, where 3 reactors blasted causing high levels of radiation problems for which the country is still suffering. It was a black day in the history of Japan. Though official death toll was recorded as 12690, aftermath there were lacs of bodies found on the shore. After the World War II this is the most expensive and next biggest disaster which has rendered huge loss of life, and property to great extend.

2010 Haiti Earthquake

The 21st century worst earthquake has to be the Haiti Earthquake in 2010. On the fateful day of 12th January with a magnitude of 7.0 on the richer scale, the earth shook, the epicentre being near Leogane, a small town, almost 25 km (16 miles) west of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. Estimated figures claim that almost 3 million lives have been devastated and shaken by this which took the lives of 316000 injured 300000 and left more than 1000000 people homeless. There was a huge loss of life and property.

2008 Sichuan Earthquake

With a magnitude of 8.0 the Sichuan earthquake that shook on 12th May 2008 in China centred in the Sichuan province was the deadliest for China and the aftershocks which followed. A total loss of over 69000, leaving almost 374000 injured and a massive 11 million homeless. It has taken a long 3 years to re build this area.

2006 Java Earthquake

27th May 2006 again reminded Indonesians of the fateful day of 2004 again as the earth shook to an earthquake of 6.2 magnitude at 10 km depth which struck java in Indonesia almost 15 miles southeast of the India Ocean.

2005 Sumatra Earthquake

Indonesians the misery didn’t end as they went through yet another massive earthquake with a depth of 30 km and magnitude of 8.7, it centred off the northern coast of Sumatra. The rebuilding process of the previous earthquakes again was destroyed with the current Earthquake. Though not much casualties were not reported there were a lot of damages done to property.

2005 Kashmir Earthquake

On 8th October 2005, Muzaffarabad, a city in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan had to bear the brunt of a massive earthquake. With a depth of 10 km and magnitude of 7.6 the tremors and effects were felt in India, Afghanistan, Pakistan killing an estimated of about 86000 people, 106000 injured, nearly 800000 casualties. The poor quality of the construction of the building and schools were the reason for high casualties.

2004 Indian Ocean earthquake

When we talk of the worst ever deadliest earthquake we cannot forget the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake scientifically known as the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake which had the epicentre in Sumatra Indonesia. With 9.0 magnitude this earthquake triggered a tsunami of 30 feet high and affected almost 14 countries in total, killing almost 230000 people and worst hit countries being Indonesia, Srilanka, India and Thailand.

2003 Bam- Iran Earthquake

On 26thDecember 2003, the people of the Kerman province, bam in Iran were struck by 6.6 magnitude tremor which destroyed and caused massive destruction. Over 26000 dead and 30000 injured one of the worst earthquakes that hit Iran. Though only 5800 were killed, over 30000 were injured, and more than 1.5million homeless.

2003 Bourmerdes Earthquake

Thenia in Algeria shook to the rumble of a 6.8 magnitude earthquake with a depth of 10 km affecting the northern coast of Africa. Leaving about 150000 homeless, 10260 injured and over 2226 dead, it was the damages of 1200 structures which were maximum.

2001 Gujarat, India Earthquake

The century woke to the first massive earthquake in 2001. A joyous celebration of Independence on the 26th January of 2001 turned out to be the worst day when an earthquake of 7.7 magnitude hit the Kutch district of Gujarat, India.