10 most powerful earthquakes ever recorded

While some earthquakes are relatively weak and cause little to no damage, others can have devastating power, destroying entire cities, triggering landslides and tsunamis, and leaving long-term impacts on communities and infrastructure.

Based on data from the United States Geological Survey, Al Jazeera has compiled a list of the 10 strongest earthquakes ever recorded, along with their reported death tolls.

10. Magnitude 8.6, 1950, Arunachal Pradesh, India

Death toll: 780 people

9. Magnitude 8.7, 1965, Alaska, US

Death toll: 0

8. Magnitude 8.8, 1906, Esmeraldas, Ecuador

Death toll: 1,500

7. Magnitude 8.8, 2010, Biobio, Chile

Death toll: 523

6. Magnitude 8.8, 2025, Kamchatka, Russia

Death toll: 0

5. Magnitude 9, 1952, Kamchatka, Russia

Death toll: up to 15,000

4. Magnitude 9.1, 2011, Tohoku, Japan

Death toll: more than 15,000

3. Magnitude 9.1, 2004, Sumatra, Indonesia

Death toll: More than 280,000

2. Magnitude 9.2, 1964, Alaska, US

Death toll: 130

1. Magnitude 9.5, 1960, Biobio, Chile

Death toll: 1,655