S., with an estimated magnitude of 8.0 on the Richter scale. They formed new lakes, changed the course of the Mississippi River, and could be felt at least a little in a 50,000 square mile area. In contract, the San Francisco 1906 earthquake could be felt moderately in a 60,000 square mile area, even though it was a smaller quake.

Kobe earthquake - Occurred in 1995 and measured 7.3 on the Richter scale. Nearly 6,500 people died in the quake. It caused ten trillion yen in damage, which was 2.5% of Japan's GDP at the time, making it the worst earthquake in Japan since the Great Kanto earthquake in 1923. It is the costliest earthquake in recorded history.

Mexico City quake of 1985 - This quake measured 8.1 on the Richter scale, and killed at least 9,000 people, but many Mexico City residents believe the real number was far higher,...
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