How does massive 8.8 earthquake off Russia measure against the largest ever? | News World

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

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

In Hawaii, roads have turn out to be clogged with residents searching for 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 newest 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 won’t hurt us. But you have got to assume, assume, they might be life-threatening.’

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

But how does it measure as much as the largest on record?

Here’s a look at among the strongest earthquakes recorded previously, based on the US Geological Survey.

1. Biobío, Chile

A 9.5 magnitude earthquake struck in a central region of Chile in 1960.

Referred to as the Valdivia earthquake or Great Chilean earthquake, the biggest ever recorded temblor resulted in greater than 1,600 deaths within the country and beyond, most of which were attributable to resulting large tsunami.

1000’s of individuals were injured.

2. Alaska

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

Greater than 130 people were killed in the biggest recorded earthquake within the US and subsequent tsunami.

There have been huge landslides and towering waves that caused severe flooding.

The event was followed by 1000’s of aftershocks for weeks after the initial quake.

3. Sumatra, Indonesia

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 greater than 167,000 deaths as entire communities were worn out.

4. Tohoku, Japan

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.

Greater than 18,000 people were killed within the quake and tsunami, a few of whom have never been recovered.

5. Kamchatka, Russia

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

6. Biobío, Chile

A large 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit central Chile in 2010, shaking the capital for a minute and half and setting off a tsunami.

Greater than 500 people were killed within the disaster.

7. Esmeraldas, Ecuador

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 so far as San Francisco and Japan.

8. Alaska

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

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

Dozens of villages were destroyed, including at the very least one which slid right into a river.

There have been 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

In 2012, a strong 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.

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