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Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2009

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  • Man-made DisastersWeather DisastersNatural DisastersEarthquakes

Earthquakes can wreak havoc on infrastructure.

Earthquakes are some of the most devastating natural disasters in the world, causing millions in damages and claiming thousands of lives. Seismic activity causes tsunamis, and has even set off nuclear meltdowns. Earthquakes occur everywhere, but are most common (and most devastating) in coastal regions. Wherever they happen, they leave an indelible impact. Learn more about these world-shaking events.

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Casualties Year-by-Year Due to their frequency and scope, Infoplease has compiled some annual information about earthquakes worldwide. The most dangerous earthquakes aren’t necessarily the highest in magnitude or intensity. Poor emergency response systems, insufficient building codes, and infrastructural weaknesses contribute more to earthquake casualties than the quakes themselves. Compare the two sets of yearly statistics to see the difference between major earthquakes and deadly earthquakes.

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

2013 2014 2015 2016

Occurrences Year-by-Year Due to their frequency and scope, Infoplease has compiled some annual information about earthquakes worldwide. The earthquakes listed are only ones that were easily detectable to people in the affected area; quakes happen with great regularity but usually lack intensity. Compare the two sets of yearly statistics to see the difference between major earthquakes and deadly earthquakes.

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

2013 2014 2015 2016

 

Earthquake Information

An earthquake, the sudden and disruptive shaking of the earth, is a result of the Earth’s tectonic plates moving. The crashing and grinding of the Earth’s crust can have far-reaching consequences. Learn a bit more about the science behind earthquakes, how we measure them, and some of the most important historical examples. 

Earthquake Primer

The Severity of an Earthquake

Frequency of Earthquakes Worldwide

The Ten Largest Earthquakes Since 1900

The Largest Earthquakes in the United States

Deadliest Earthquakes on Record

Deaths from Magnitude 8.0 and Greater Earthquakes Since 1990

Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake

Tsunamis

A tsunami is a massive wave caused by an offshore earthquake. These walls of water can destroy coastal communities, and often account for a substantial majority of earthquake-related casualties. Tsunamis are most common in the Pacific due to the tectonic activity around the infamous Ring of Fire. The word is taken from the Japanese, as Japan has a long history of seismic disasters.

Tsunami Factfile

Deadliest Tsunamis in History

2011: Japan Tsunami

Checking In: Japan One Year Later

Casualties Year-by-Year

Due to their frequency and scope, Infoplease has compiled some annual information about earthquakes worldwide. The most dangerous earthquakes aren’t necessarily the highest in magnitude or intensity. Poor emergency response systems, insufficient building codes, and infrastructural weaknesses contribute more to earthquake casualties than the quakes themselves. Compare the two sets of yearly statistics to see the difference between major earthquakes and deadly earthquakes.

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

2013 2014 2015 2016

Occurrences Year-by-Year

Due to their frequency and scope, Infoplease has compiled some annual information about earthquakes worldwide. The earthquakes listed are only ones that were easily detectable to people in the affected area; quakes happen with great regularity but usually lack intensity. Compare the two sets of yearly statistics to see the difference between major earthquakes and deadly earthquakes.

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

2013 2014 2015 2016

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

 

Sources +

Our Common Sources

Our Common Sources

Disasters

  • Disasters

TrendingHere are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.

Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?

The Twelve Dancing Princesses

Current Events This Week: January 2023

African Americans by the Numbers

Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents

The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales

TrendingHere are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.

Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?

The Twelve Dancing Princesses

Current Events This Week: January 2023

African Americans by the Numbers

Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents

The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales

  • Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
  • The Twelve Dancing Princesses
  • Current Events This Week: January 2023
  • African Americans by the Numbers
  • Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents
  • The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales

✖  

✖  

The 2011 Nuclear Crisis in Japan

Checking in: Japan One Year Later

Earthquakes Primer

The Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2003

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2004

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2005

Deadliest Tsunamis in History

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2006

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2007

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2008

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2009

Load More

The 2011 Nuclear Crisis in Japan

Checking in: Japan One Year Later

Earthquakes Primer

The Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2003

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2004

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2005

Deadliest Tsunamis in History

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2006

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2007

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2008

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2009

Load More

The 2011 Nuclear Crisis in Japan

Checking in: Japan One Year Later

Earthquakes Primer

The Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2003

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2004

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2005

Deadliest Tsunamis in History

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2006

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2007

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2008

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2009

Load More

The 2011 Nuclear Crisis in Japan

Checking in: Japan One Year Later

Earthquakes Primer

The Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2003

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2004

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2005

Deadliest Tsunamis in History

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2006

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2007

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2008

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2009

  • Load More

  • The 2011 Nuclear Crisis in Japan

  • Checking in: Japan One Year Later

  • Earthquakes Primer

  • The Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake

  • Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2003

  • Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2004

  • Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2005

  • Deadliest Tsunamis in History

  • Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2006

  • Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2007

  • Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2008

  • Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2009

The 2011 Nuclear Crisis in Japan

The 2011 Nuclear Crisis in Japan

Checking in: Japan One Year Later

Checking in: Japan One Year Later

Earthquakes Primer

Earthquakes Primer

The Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake

The Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2003

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2003

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2004

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2004

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2005

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2005

Deadliest Tsunamis in History

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2006

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2006

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2007

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2007

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2008

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2008

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2009

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2009