Indian Ocean Tsunami (2004)

Triggered by a 9.1–9.3 magnitude earthquake off Sumatra, Indonesia, on December 26, 2004, this tsunami killed approximately 230,000 people across 14 countries, including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand. Waves up to 100 feet (30 meters) devastated coastal communities, causing billions of damage.

Lisbon Tsunami (1755)

On November 1, 1755, an 8.5–9.0 magnitude earthquake off Portugal’s coast triggered a tsunami with waves up to 30 meters. It struck Portugal, Spain, and Morocco, killing an estimated 60,000–100,000 people, with 60,000 in Lisbon alone.

Messina Tsunami (1908)

A 7.1 magnitude earthquake in the Strait of Messina, Italy, on December 28, 1908, caused a tsunami that killed about 80,000–123,000 people in Messina and Reggio Calabria. The quake and waves destroyed 91% of structures in Messina, leaving the city depopulated.

Krakatau Tsunami (1883)

The eruption of Krakatau volcano in Indonesia on August 27, 1883, generated waves up to 37 meters, killing around 36,000–40,000 people. The tsunami demolished towns like Anjer and Merak, with effects felt as far as Sri Lanka. The eruption altered the region’s geography, creating Anak Krakatau.

Tōhoku Tsunami (2011)

On March 11, 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake off Japan’s coast triggered a tsunami with waves up to 132 feet (40 meters). It killed over 18,000 people, displaced 452,000, and caused damages of more than 235 billion dollars.

Sanriku Tsunami (1896)

A 7.2–8.5 magnitude earthquake off Japan’s Sanriku coast on June 15, 1896, produced waves up to 38 meters, killing over 22,000 people and destroying 9,000 homes. The “tsunami earthquake” caught residents off guard due to its slow rupture.

Valdivia Tsunami (1960)

The strongest recorded earthquake, at 9.5 magnitude, struck Chile on May 22, 1960, triggering a Pacific-wide tsunami with waves up to 80 feet. It killed 1,655 in Chile, with additional deaths in Hawaii and Japan, and caused over 550 million dollar in damages.

Nankai Tsunami (1707)

An 8.6–9.0 magnitude earthquake off Japan’s Honshu Island on October 28, 1707, caused a tsunami that killed around 30,000 people. Waves reached 4 km inland, destroying villages and leaving many homeless.