Global General

Tsunamis triggered by major earthquakes globally in recent years

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-03-17 11:26

On December 26, 2004, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the Indonesian island of Sumatra, triggering a tsunami that killed tens of thousands of people in several countries. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - A massive earthquake measuring 8.8 magnitude on the Richter scale hit northeastern Japan Friday, triggering a 10-meter-high tsunami that washed away houses and inundated larges areas of farmland.

The following is a chronology of major tsunamis triggered by earthquakes around the world in recent years.

In June, 2001, at least 78 people were killed by a tsunami caused by a magnitude-8.4 earthquake in southern Peru. The direct economic loss reached about $300 million.

On December 26, 2004, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the Indonesian island of Sumatra, triggering a tsunami that killed tens of thousands of people in several countries.

On July 17, 2006, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake occurred off the coast of Indonesia's West Java, triggering a tsunami that killed 668 people, injured at least 1,438 and left about 74,000 people homeless.

On January 13, 2007, a magnitude 8.3 earthquake near the disputed four-island chain known as the Northern Territories in Japan and the Kuril Islands in Russia triggered tsunami warnings, sending thousands fleeing to higher ground.

On April 2, 2007, more than 50 people died and thousands of people were evacuated in the Solomon Islands when it was hit by a tsunami caused by a magnitude-8.0 earthquake.

On September 29, 2009, a strong earthquake measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale struck the Pacific island nation of Samoa, causing a tsunami that killed at least 184 people.

On January 4, 2010, two powerful earthquakes measuring 6.5 and 7.2 on the Richter scale hit the western part of the Solomon Islands, followed by a number of smaller quakes. It triggered a tsunami that left about 1,000 homeless.

On February 27, 2010, an 8.8-magnitude earthquake hit Chile, triggering tsunami warnings along the coasts of the Pacific Ocean.

On October 25, 2010, at least 509 people were killed and 21 others went missing after a tsunami unleashed by a 7.2 magnitude quake jolted the island of Sumatra, Indonesia.