8. Ecuador-Colombia Earthquake
Magnitude: 8.8
Deaths: 1,500
Date: January 31, 1906
The 1906 Ecuador-Colombia earthquake occurred at off the coast of Ecuador, near Esmeraldas. The earthquake had a magnitude of 8.8 and triggered a destructive tsunami that caused at least 500 casualties on the coast of Colombia.
9. Rat Islands, Alaska
Magnitude: 8.7
Date: 4 February, 1965
This massive quake triggered a tsunami of over 30 feet (10 meters). Despite its size, the quake caused little damage due to its remote location at the tip of the Aleutian Islands.
10. Northern Sumatra, Indonesia
Magnitude: 8.6
Deaths: 1300
Date: 28 March 2005
Sumatra earthquake happened off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia. Approximately 1300 people were killed by the earthquake, mostly on the island of Nias.
11. Assam-Tibet
Magnitude: 8.6
Deaths: 780
Date: 1950
The 1950 quake killed at least 780 people, injuring thousands, and destroying many buildings.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey. Data from 1990 onwards
