5 times Tsunamis shook the world in the past

A 6.9-magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of New Britain Island in Papua New Guinea early this morning, leading to a tsunami warning for the region, according to the US Geological Survey. The quake was shallow, with its epicenter 10 kilometers deep. Following the tremors, the U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned of possible waves between one and three meters along nearby coastal areas.

There are no immediate reports of serious damage or injuries, as the nearby areas are not heavily populated. Still, the warning is a reminder of how quickly natural disasters can happen, especially in places where earthquakes are common. It also brings to mind some of the deadliest tsunamis in history– disasters that caused huge loss and destruction around the world. Note: This list is based on data from a report by the Times of India.

On March 11, 2011, a powerful 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Japan. It triggered a massive tsunami, with waves as high as 40 meters in some places. The disaster destroyed entire towns and took nearly 20,000 lives. It also caused a major nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant, making rescue and recovery even harder. The Tohoku tsunami is still remembered as one of the worst natural disasters in recent history.

The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was one of the deadliest in history, killing over 230,000 people across 14 countries. It was caused by a powerful 9.1–9.3 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The waves spread quickly across the ocean, hitting places like Thailand, Sri Lanka, and India. Communities were destroyed, and millions were left without homes. The disaster also showed how important tsunami warning systems are– something many of the affected countries didn’t have back then.

While not as widely known as other tsunamis, the 2003 Iranian tsunami still stands as a devastating event. On December 26, a 6.6-magnitude earthquake hit near the ancient city of Bam, killing over 30,000 people. The quake also triggered a tsunami that caused more damage along Iran’s coast. Though smaller than other tsunamis, this disaster shows that even moderate earthquakes can be deadly, especially in crowded areas.

The 1960 Valdivia earthquake in Chile is the strongest earthquake ever recorded, with a magnitude of 9.5. It triggered a powerful tsunami that hit Chile’s coast and also reached places as far as Hawaii, Japan, and the Philippines. The waves caused heavy damage and killed thousands in Chile. The Valdivia tsunami showed how earthquakes can have wide-reaching effects, even across oceans.

On November 4, 1952, a 9.0-magnitude earthquake hit Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, triggering strong tsunami waves that traveled across the Pacific Ocean. The waves even reached Hawaii, though the damage wasn’t fully reported at the time. The Kamchatka tsunami is a reminder that earthquakes in one part of the Pacific can affect places thousands of miles away.