List of most powerful earthquakes ever recorded - from Biobio Chile to the 2004 tsunami

An aerial view of the city of Severo-Kurilsk flooded due to tsunami triggered by the 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula (Picture: Anadolu via Getty Images)

A ‘life-threatening’ earthquake off the coast of Russia has triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific.

The 8.8 magnitude tremor erupted in the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia’s far east early this morning.

In Hawaii,roads have become clogged with residents seeking to flee to higher ground,while Japan has closed down its nuclear power plant at Fukushima Daiichi and put nearly two million people on notice to evacuate.

Follow the latest updates on the earthquake on Russia’s Kamchatka peninsula with Metro’s live blog

Josh Green,the governor of Hawaii,said: ‘God willing,these waves will not hurt us. But you have to assume,assume,they will be life-threatening.’

Dave Snider,tsunami warning coordinator with the National Tsunami Warning Centre in Alaska,said the quake – the most powerful recorded since 2011 – is ‘absolutely notable’ and ‘a significant earth event’.

KAMCHATKA#Tsunami #Earthquake #Russia #Hawaii #Japan #Sismo #Temblor #Tsunamiwarning #揺れ #地震 pic.twitter.com/Jjc2m0SutX

— Chaudhary Parvez (@ChaudharyParvez) July 30,2025

But how does it measure up to the biggest on record?

What is the strongest earthquake ever recorded?

Here’s a glance at some of the most powerful earthquakes recorded previously,according to the US Geological Survey.

1. Biobío,Chile – 1960

A 9.5 magnitude earthquake struck in a central region of Chile in 1960.Known as the Valdivia earthquake or Great Chilean earthquake,the largest ever recorded temblor resulted in more than 1,600 deaths in the country and beyond,most of which were caused by resulting large tsunami.Thousands of people were injured.

2. Alaska – 1964

In 1964,a 9.2 magnitude earthquake jolted the Alaska’s Prince William Sound,lasting for almost five minutes.

More than 130 people were killed in the largest recorded earthquake in the US and subsequent tsunami.

There were huge landslides and towering waves that caused severe flooding.

The 8.8 magnitude tremor erupted in the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia’s far east early this morning (Picture: Metro.co.uk)

The event was followed by thousands of aftershocks for weeks after the initial quake.

3. Sumatra,Indonesia – 2004

A 9.1 magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami devastated Southeast and South Asia and East Africa in 2004,killing 230,000 people.

Indonesia alone recorded more than 167,000 deaths as entire communities were wiped out.

4. Tohoku,Japan – 2011

A magnitude 9.1 earthquake struck off the coast of northeastern Japan in 2011,triggering a towering tsunami that smashed into the Fukushima nuclear plant.

It knocked out power and cooling systems and triggered meltdowns in three reactors.

More than 18,000 people were killed in the quake and tsunami,some of whom have never been recovered.

5. Kamchatka,Russia – 1952

In 1952,a magnitude 9.0 quake caused significant damage but no reported deaths despite a tsunami that hit Hawaii with 30-foot waves.

TV screens broadcasting a Japan Meteorological Agency tsunami warning following a powerful earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula (Picture: Alamy Live News)

6. Biobío,Chile – 2010

A massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake – the same strength as the Russia quake – hit central Chile in 2010,shaking the capital for a minute and half and setting off a tsunami.

More than 500 people were killed in the disaster.

7. Esmeraldas,Ecuador – 1906

In 1906,an 8.8 magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami killed about 1,500 people.

Its effects were felt for miles along the Central American coast and as far as San Francisco and Japan.

8. Alaska – 1965

In 1965,a magnitude 8.7 quake struck Alaska’s Rat Islands,causing a 35-foot -high tsunami.

There was some relatively minor damage,including cracks in buildings and an asphalt runway.

9. Tibet – 1950

At least 780 people were killed when a magnitude 8.6 earthquake struck in 1950.

Dozens of villages were destroyed,including at least one that slid into a river.

A powerful wave washes past a building located near the shore,after a powerful earthquake struck off the Kamchatka Peninsula (Picture: Reuters)

There were also major landslides that jammed the Subansiri River in India.

When the water eventually broke through,it resulted in a deadly 23-foot wave.

10. Sumatra,Indonesia – 2012

In 2012,a powerful 8.6 magnitude earthquake struck off the west coast of northern Sumatra in Indonesia.

Though the quake caused little damage,it increased pressure on a fault that was the source of the devastating 2004 tsunami.