“Discover the Shocking Truth Behind the 14 Most Catastrophic Earthquakes Ever Recorded!”
This earthquake didn’t just stop at shaking the ground, it transformed the landscape, damming rivers and forcing new paths for the water to flow. This event remains one of the most significant in the Himalayas, illustrating the chain reaction that earthquakes can set off in remote areas.
12. Messina Earthquake, Italy – 1908
On December 28, 1908, an earthquake struck Italy’s Strait of Messina with a magnitude of 7.1. It was followed by a tsunami that devastated coastal towns in Sicily and Calabria. The twin disasters claimed around 100,000 lives, as entire neighborhoods were swallowed by the sea or buried under rubble.
Messina and Reggio Calabria were left in ruins, and the recovery effort was monumental. This earthquake brought seismic building codes to the forefront in Italy, as the country recognized the need to better protect itself from future disasters. The Messina Earthquake remains one of Europe’s most tragic natural disasters, shaping the region’s approach to construction and disaster preparedness.
13. Quetta Earthquake, Pakistan – 1935
In 1935, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Quetta in southwestern Pakistan, leveling much of the city and killing over 30,000 people. Homes and buildings crumbled instantly, as the region had little in terms of earthquake-resistant structures. This quake revealed just how vulnerable Quetta was to seismic activity.
