Powerful 8.8 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Russia's Far East

Tokyo, July 30 (AP) — A powerful earthquake with an 8.8 magnitude struck Russia's Far East early Wednesday, causing small tsunami waves to reach the shores of Japan and Alaska. The quake sparked alerts across the Pacific, urging residents to remain vigilant or move to higher ground.

The intense seismic activity prompted tsunami warnings across Hawaii, North and Central America, and the Pacific islands extending to New Zealand. Authorities cautioned that the tsunami threat could persist for over a day.

Below is a list of some of the most significant earthquakes recorded as of June 5, 2025, compiled by the US Geological Survey.

1. Biobío, Chile — In 1960, Chile was rocked by a 9.5 magnitude earthquake in its central region. Known as the Valdivia or Great Chilean earthquake, it remains the most powerful quake ever recorded. The event resulted in over 1,600 fatalities, primarily due to massive tsunami waves, and left thousands injured.

2. Alaska — A 9.2 magnitude earthquake shook Alaska’s Prince William Sound in 1964, lasting nearly five minutes. It was the largest recorded earthquake in U.S. history, causing over 130 deaths due to subsequent tsunamis, landslides, and extreme flooding. Aftershocks continued for weeks.

3. Sumatra, Indonesia — The 2004 earthquake of 9.1 magnitude that struck off Sumatra led to a devastating tsunami impacting Southeast and South Asia, and East Africa. This disaster claimed approximately 230,000 lives, with Indonesia bearing the brunt, losing over 167,000 people as entire communities were obliterated.

4. Tohoku, Japan — A 9.1 magnitude earthquake off northeastern Japan’s coast in 2011 unleashed a colossal tsunami that hit the Fukushima nuclear plant, leading to a meltdown in three reactors. Over 18,000 people perished due to the earthquake and tsunami, with several still missing.

5. Kamchatka, Russia — The 1952 magnitude 9.0 earthquake inflicted significant damage, although it surprisingly resulted in no recorded fatalities. Despite this, a tsunami reached Hawaii with waves as high as 9.1 meters (30 feet).

6. Biobío, Chile — Chile experienced another major quake in 2010 with an 8.8 magnitude event that shook the capital for over a minute and a half, triggering a tsunami. This catastrophe claimed more than 500 lives.

7. Esmeraldas, Ecuador — In 1906, an 8.8 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami resulted in the loss of about 1,500 lives. The quake's effects were felt far along the Central American coast and as distant as San Francisco and Japan.

8. Alaska — Another significant event hit in 1965 near Alaska's Rat Islands, registering an 8.7 magnitude and causing a tsunami with waves as high as 11 meters (35 feet). There was minimal damage, including building cracks and an affected runway.

9. Tibet — A magnitude 8.6 earthquake in 1950 resulted in the deaths of at least 780 people. It destroyed numerous villages, and landslides triggered by the quake blocked the Subansiri River in India. When the water broke through, it unleashed a deadly 7-meter wave.

10. Sumatra, Indonesia — In 2012, a notable 8.6 magnitude quake struck off northern Sumatra's west coast in Indonesia. Although it caused minimal damage, it increased stress on a fault line linked to the disastrous 2004 tsunami.

(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)