What was the biggest earthquake in history?
EARTHQUAKES occur when there is a movement within the earth's crust or volcanic action.
While some earthquakes are mild and cause minor damage, some are catastrophic.
What was the biggest earthquake in history?
Each year, there are thousands of earthquakes.
Some of the largest ones ever recorded happened during the 1950s and 2010s.
The biggest earthquake in history was the Valdivia, Chile, earthquake, which took place on May 22, 1960, and lasted approximately 10 minutes.
With a magnitude of 9.5, the earthquake and the tsunami that soon followed left around 2,000,000 people homeless.
Four years later, the second largest earthquake occurred in Southern Alaska, registered at a magnitude of 9.2.
How many people died in the 1960 Valdivia earthquake?
The costs of the damages were estimated to be $550 million, which would be more than $4.8 billion today with inflation, according to .
Around 3,000 people were injured in the event, and approximately 1,655 people lost their lives.
The tsunamis also affected coastal communities in New Zealand, Japan, Hawaii, and the Philippines.
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In the coastal town of Hilo, 61 people died due to tsunamis, National Geographic notes.
What causes an earthquake?
A sudden slip on a fault causes earthquakes, the thin layer of crushed rock between the earth's crust.
"The tectonic plates are always slowly moving, but they get stuck at their edges due to friction," according to the .
"When the stress on the edge overcomes the friction, there is an earthquake that releases energy in waves that travel through the earth's crust and cause the shaking that we feel."
If an earthquake occurs suddenly, it is recommended that you drop to your hands and knees and seek shelter immediately to protect your head and neck.
It is also recommended to stay inside because that is where you are less likely to get injured.
More information about earthquake safety can be found .
On Friday, April 5, 2024, a 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit New York City.
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According to the , the epicenter was reported in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, about an hour west of New York City, at 10:23 am.
It was also reportedly felt in , , , Maryland, , and .