Earthquakes with magnitude greater than the 8.0 on the Richter scale are relatively rare. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, happen at most once a year around the world. Here is a list of the strongest earthquakes since 1900.
1. Chile, May 1960. An earthquake measuring 9.5 on the Richter scale devastates the country, leaving 1,655 dead.
2. Prince William Soung, Alaska, USA, March 1964. Earthquake of 9.3 on the Richter scale and was kills 125 people.
3. Sumatra, Indonesia, in December 2004. Earthquake of 9.1 on the Richter scale and was killed 222,898 people.
4. Kamchatka, Russia, November 1952. 9.0 on the Richter scale, no casualties.
5. Chile, in February 2010. 8.8 degrees, the exact number of victims remains unknown.
6. Colombia and Ecuador, in January 1906. 8.8 on the Richter scale, a thousand deaths.
7. Rat Islands, Alaska, USA, February 1965. 8.7 on the Richter scale with no deaths.
8. Sumatra, Indonesia, March 2005. Earthquake of 8.6 degrees left 1,313 dead.
9. Andreanof Islands, Alaska, USA, March 1957. Earthquake 8.6 on the Richter scale and there are no casualties.
10. Assam, India, August 1950. 8.6 degrees, 1,526 died.
Top 10 strongest earthquakes since 1900