Are tsunamis the most devastating effects of earthquakes?

In the case of the deadliest earth quake on record (the 1556 Shaanxi earthquake) [1] loss of life came from collapsed buildings, and not a tsunami. Almost a million people perished in this earthquake (820000 is the generally accepted estimate). read more

The Indian ocean tsunamis in 2004 were a particularly devastating event (the likes which have really never been seen in recorded history). While the death toll was incredibly high for these events, I don’t see a trend in data that shows tsunamis being the most devastating effects of earhtquakes as a general rule throughout history. read more

The devastating effects of the tsunami could be felt in most coastal towns throughout Spain, Portugal and North Africa. Approximately 10,000 people in Lisbon died during the natural disaster. 1868 Arica Tsunami: On Aug. 16, 1868, an 8.5-magnitude earthquake hit the Peru-Chile Trench off the southern coast of Peru, turning the city of Arica into rubble. read more

For sure, one of the most dangerous effects of an earthquake is a Tsunami. Tsunamis are giant waves that can cause floods and in some cases may reach up to 100 feet in height. These deadly waves strike a great distance from the epicentre. read more