Massive 8.8 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Russia’s Coast, Sparking Global Tsunami Alerts
On Tuesday, an earthquake with a staggering magnitude of 8.8 struck near Russia, marking one of the most potent seismic events recorded in history. This significant event prompted tsunami warnings across various regions worldwide. But how does this quake compare to the strongest seismic occurrences documented?
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) began maintaining seismological records around 1900, revealing several earthquakes that exceeded a magnitude of 9.0 since that time.
1. Valdivia Earthquake
Damage from the 1960 Chile earthquake, known as the largest earthquake of the 20th century (Getty).
The most formidable earthquake was recorded in 1960 in Biobio, Chile, with a magnitude of 9.5. Commonly referred to as the Great Chilean Earthquake, it led to approximately 1,655 fatalities and displaced around 2 million individuals, according to the USGS.
2. Great Alaska Earthquake
Anchorage, Alaska, post the massive earthquake that hit late March 27, 1964, which caused major structural damage (UPI).
Four years later, a violent 9.2 magnitude quake struck Alaska, inciting a devastating tsunami alongside the seismic activity, resulting in at least 130 casualties and over $2 billion in damages. This earthquake is also known as the Prince William Sound or Good Friday earthquake.
3. Sumatra-Andaman Islands Earthquake
Meulaboh, Indonesia, submerged under water on December 28, 2004, following a catastrophic quake and tsunami (HO/AFP via Getty).
In 2004, a catastrophic 9.1 magnitude earthquake rocked Sumatra, Indonesia, and the Andaman Islands, unleashing formidable tsunamis that claimed over 280,000 lives and left more than 1 million people homeless, per USGS reports.
Before the recent quake, the ten most significant earthquakes recorded since 1900 included:
- 4. Magnitude 9.1 (Tohoku, Japan, 2011)
- 5. Magnitude 9.0 (Kamchatka Krai, Russia, 1952)
- 6. Magnitude 8.8 (Biobio, Chile, 2010)
- 7. Magnitude 8.8 (Esmeraldas, Ecuador, 1906)
- 8. Magnitude 8.7 (Alaska, 1965)
- 9. Magnitude 8.6 (Arunachal Pradesh, India, 1950)
- 10. Magnitude 8.6 (Sumatra, Indonesia, 2012)
The recent earthquake, which struck approximately 74 miles east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky—home to around 180,000 residents on the Kamchatka Peninsula—stimulated tsunami alerts in regions including Alaska and Hawaii, stretching down to New Zealand. Seismologists also recorded multiple aftershocks reaching magnitudes of 6.9.
In Hawaii, residents faced traffic jams as tsunami alerts coincided with rush hour. Sirens wailed, warning individuals to seek higher ground, prompting schools to cancel after-school activities.
Meanwhile, a tsunami measuring 50 centimeters (1.6 feet) was detected at Ishinomaki port in northern Japan, marking the highest reading thus far among various monitoring stations.
While some areas near the quake’s epicenter on the Kamchatka Peninsula experienced evacuations and reported minor damage, authorities confirmed no critical injuries as of now.
This report includes contributions from the Associated Press.