Living on the edge of a tectonic plate can be quite dangerous. Especially in a subduction zone where a plate is forced under (subducts) another one. This can lead to a megathrust earthquake. In terms of magnitude these are the killer quakes, with a magnitude higher than 8.5. Here’s our list of largest earthquakes since 1900. In magnitude (M), not in death toll:
- Assam Tibet – 8.5 M / 15-08-1950
- Northern Sumatra – 8.6 M / 28-03-2005
- Rat Islands (Alaska) – 8.7 M / 04-02-1965
- Off the Coast of Equador – 8.8 M / 31-01-1906
- Offshore Maule (Chile) – 8.8 M / 27-02-2010
- Kamtchatka – 9.0 M / 04-11-1952
- Near the East Coast of Honshu (Japan) – 9.0 M / 11-03-2011
- Off the West Coast of Sumatra – 9.1 M / 26-12-2004
- Prince William Sound, Alaska – 9.2 M / 28-03-1964
- Chile – 9.5 M / 22-05-1960