Earth-Shattering Statistics
1. Great Chilean Earthquake - 9.5 magnitude
The strongest earthquake ever recorded (9.5 magnitude) struck off the coast of Chile on May 22, 1960, causing tsunamis over 10 meters high, that traveled as far as Hawaii, Japan, and New Zealand, killing 4,000-5,000 and leaving over 2,000,000 people homeless. It was recorded by the United States Geological Service (USGS) and measured 9.5 on the Richter scale.
2. Indian Ocean Earthquake - between 9.1 and 9.3 magnitude
The second-strongest earthquake occurred on the Indian ocean floor on December 26, 2004 and caused a devastating tsunami that killed more than 200,000 people in Southeast Asia.
3. Great Alaskan Earthquake - 9.2 magnitude
Also known as the Good Friday earthquake, the Great Alaskan earthquake struck Prince William Sound on March 27, 1964.
Note:
The Richter scale was not developed until the 1930s; it is possible that earthquakes prior to the invention of the scale could have been stronger.
Other StatisticsStrongest earthquake in the 48 contiguous United States
The New Madrid Earthquake hit Missouri on February 7, 1812 and is estimated to have measured over 8.2 on the Richter scale with some estimates as high as 10.0.
1985 Mexico City earthquake
The 1985 Mexico City earthquake - on September 19, 1985, at 7:19 a.m. local time - was one of the most devastating earthquakes in the history of the Americas; it reached a magnitude 8.1 on the Richter scale. The epicenter of the earthquake was off the Pacific coast of the Mexican state of Michoacán, a distance of 350 km, in the Cocos Plate subduction zone. It was felt as far away as Los Angeles, California.
The strongest point in an earthquake is the epicenter.
You do not want to be near the epicenter of an earthquake!Since the epicenter is the point on the earth's surface that is directly above the focus, or starting point, of the earthquake, it usually suffers the strongest shaking and the most severe damage.
The position on the Earth's surface directly above the earthquake source is called the epicenter. This is where the seismic waves originate and where the shaking is usually strongest. Scientists use the epicenter location to determine where an earthquake occurred.
Another name for the focus of an earthquake is the hypocenter of an earthquake. This is the strongest point in the earthquake, like the eye of the storm.
Some of the strongest earthquakes in the Caribbean include the 2010 Haiti earthquake measuring a magnitude of 7.0, the 1842 Cap-Haïtien earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 8.1, and the 1907 Kingston earthquake in Jamaica with a magnitude of 6.5-6.8.
The vibrations of a earthquake are strongest where the falt line is.
The strongest point of an earthquake is referred to as the earthquake's epicenter. This is the point on the Earth's surface directly above where the earthquake originates, known as the hypocenter. The magnitude of the earthquake is typically highest at the epicenter.
core
core
The strongest point in an earthquake is the epicenter.
No, the Haiti earthquake in 2010 was not the strongest earthquake ever recorded. The strongest earthquake ever recorded was the 1960 Valdivia earthquake in Chile, which had a magnitude of 9.5 on the Richter scale.
The epicenter is the point on the earth's surface vertically above the focus of an earthquake. It is as close to the point of origin of the quake as you can get on the surface. The earthquake is strongest at that point.
earthquake
Chili earthquake 9.5
The strongest earthquake to date that was recorded is the Valdivia, Chile (May 22, 1960) earthquake (Great Chilean earthquake) with a on the moment scale magnitude of 9.5.
You do not want to be near the epicenter of an earthquake!Since the epicenter is the point on the earth's surface that is directly above the focus, or starting point, of the earthquake, it usually suffers the strongest shaking and the most severe damage.
The position on the Earth's surface directly above the earthquake source is called the epicenter. This is where the seismic waves originate and where the shaking is usually strongest. Scientists use the epicenter location to determine where an earthquake occurred.