Maps
Mapped: The Deadliest Earthquakes of the 21st Century
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Mapped: The Deadliest Earthquakes of the 21st Century
On September 8, 2023, a powerful earthquake rocked Morocco. With its epicenter located in the Atlas Mountains and structural damage being done to the historical city center of Marrakesh, the 6.8-magnitude quake will likely have a death toll in the thousands.
With these recent events in mind, we use data from the National Centers for Environment Information (NCES) to map out the epicenters of the nine deadliest earthquakes in the 21st century so far, by their total death toll. This includes casualties from secondary events—like tsunamis—after each earthquake.
Earthquakes By Death Toll (2000–2023)
We delve into some of the deadliest earthquakes in recent history.
Haiti, 2010
On January 12th, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit the capital Port-au-Prince. The earthquake’s shallow epicenter—only six miles beneath the surface—caused most of the force to be directed close to where people lived. By the end of the month, after 52 aftershocks rocked the island, the disaster had claimed more than 300,000 lives—the deadliest earthquake in the 21st century thus far.
The extensive destruction led to global support, but slow recovery sparked criticism of government inaction. In 2017, the UN reported 2.5 million Haitians still required aid.
Indonesia, 2004
December 26th, 2004: A 9.1 earthquake occurred off the coast of Indonesia, deep under the ocean. It was the strongest earthquake in this century and the third-most powerful since 1900.
It triggered the worst tsunami recorded in history, causing 230,000 deaths mainly in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and India.
Here’s a list of the deadliest earthquakes, by death toll, in the 21st century.
Rank | Date | Location | Total Deaths | Magnitude |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Jan, 2010 | 🇭🇹 Haiti | 316,000 | 7.0 |
2 | Dec, 2004 | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | 227,899 | 9.1 |
3 | May, 2008 | 🇨🇳 China | 87,652 | 7.9 |
4 | Oct, 2005 | 🇵🇰 Pakistan | 76,213 | 7.6 |
5 | Feb, 2023 | 🇹🇷 Türkiye | 56,697 | 7.8 |
6 | Dec, 2003 | 🇮🇷 Iran | 31,000 | 6.6 |
7 | Jan, 2001 | 🇮🇳 India | 20,005 | 7.6 |
8 | March, 2011 | 🇯🇵 Japan | 18,428 | 9.1 |
9 | April, 2015 | 🇳🇵 Nepal | 8,957 | 7.8 |
10 | May, 2006 | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | 5,749 | 6.3 |
11 | Sep, 2018 | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | 4,340 | 7.5 |
12 | May, 2003 | 🇩🇿 Algeria | 2,287 | 6.8 |
13 | Aug, 2021 | 🇭🇹 Haiti | 2,248 | 7.2 |
14 | April, 2010 | 🇨🇳 China | 2,220 | 6.9 |
15 | March, 2005 | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | 1,313 | 8.6 |
16 | Sep, 2009 | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | 1,117 | 7.5 |
17 | June, 2022 | 🇦🇫 Afghanistan | 1,039 | 5.9 |
18 | March, 2002 | 🇦🇫 Afghanistan | 1,000 | 6.1 |
19 | Jan, 2001 | 🇸🇻 El Salvador | 844 | 7.7 |
20 | Sep, 2013 | 🇵🇰 Pakistan | 825 | 7.7 |
21 | July, 2006 | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | 802 | 7.7 |
22 | April, 2016 | 🇪🇨 Ecuador | 663 | 7.8 |
23 | Nov, 2022 | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | 635 | 5.6 |
24 | Nov, 2017 | 🇮🇷 Iran | 630 | 7.3 |
25 | Feb, 2004 | 🇲🇦 Morocco | 628 | 6.4 |
26 | Aug, 2014 | 🇨🇳 China | 615 | 6.2 |
27 | Feb, 2005 | 🇮🇷 Iran | 612 | 6.4 |
28 | Oct, 2011 | 🇹🇷 Turkey | 604 | 7.1 |
29 | Aug, 2018 | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | 560 | 6.9 |
30 | Feb, 2010 | 🇨🇱 Chile | 558 | 8.8 |
31 | Aug, 2007 | 🇵🇪 Peru | 514 | 8.0 |
32 | Oct, 2010 | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | 431 | 7.8 |
33 | Oct, 2015 | 🇦🇫 Afghanistan | 399 | 7.5 |
34 | Sep, 2017 | 🇲🇽 Mexico | 369 | 7.1 |
35 | Feb, 2001 | 🇸🇻 El Salvador | 315 | 6.6 |
36 | April, 2009 | 🇮🇹 Italy | 309 | 6.3 |
37 | Aug, 2012 | 🇮🇷 Iran | 306 | 6.5 |
38 | Aug, 2016 | 🇮🇹 Italy | 299 | 6.2 |
39 | June, 2002 | 🇮🇷 Iran | 261 | 6.5 |
40 | Feb, 2003 | 🇨🇳 China | 261 | 6.3 |
41 | Oct, 2013 | 🇵🇭 Philippines | 222 | 7.1 |
42 | Oct, 2008 | 🇵🇰 Pakistan | 215 | 6.4 |
43 | April, 2013 | 🇨🇳 China | 196 | 6.6 |
44 | Sep, 2009 | 🇼🇸 Samoa Islands | 192 | 8.1 |
45 | Feb, 2011 | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | 185 | 6.1 |
46 | May, 2003 | 🇹🇷 Turkey | 177 | 6.4 |
47 | March, 2002 | 🇦🇫 Afghanistan | 166 | 7.4 |
48 | Feb, 2018 | 🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea | 145 | 7.5 |
49 | Oct, 2020 | 🇬🇷 Greece | 118 | 7.0 |
50 | Sep, 2022 | 🇨🇳 China | 118 | 6.6 |
51 | May, 2015 | 🇳🇵 Nepal | 117 | 7.3 |
52 | Feb, 2016 | 🇹🇼 Taiwan | 117 | 6.4 |
53 | Sep, 2011 | 🇮🇳 India | 111 | 6.9 |
54 | Jan, 2021 | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | 105 | 6.2 |
55 | March, 2011 | 🇲🇲 Myanmar | 104 | 6.8 |
56 | Dec, 2016 | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | 104 | 6.5 |
57 | June, 2000 | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | 103 | 7.9 |
58 | June, 2001 | 🇵🇪 Peru | 103 | 8.4 |
Türkiye and Syria, 2023
February 6, 2023: Two earthquakes, also with shallow epicenters (5 miles deep), hit the border region between Türkiye and Syria, causing widespread damage in both countries and claiming more than 50,000 lives. Bad weather conditions—including snow, ice, and winter storms—inhibited search and rescue efforts.
In Syria, international sanctions prevented foreign charities and families from sending money to the country, which led to the U.S. suspending the sanctions for 180 days.
Japan, 2011
March 11, 2011: Another undersea earthquake—also 9.1 magnitude—occurred off the coast of Japan, triggering a deadly tsunami which flattened parts of the country 30 minutes later.
The high waves also damaged Fukushima’s Nuclear Plant’s emergency diesel generators leading to reactor meltdowns, and a release of radioactive waste. In total, 18,000 people lost their lives from the earthquake and tsunami.
How Does Earthquake Data Help With Disaster Preparedness?
Thanks to the study of plate tectonics, scientists know where earthquakes usually occur, even if they don’t know when precisely. For example countries along the “Ring of Fire”—a hotbed of earthquake and volcanic activity—witness hundreds of earthquakes a year, though most are not strong enough to cause any damage.
However, with deadly earthquakes, other factors, including epicenter depth, location near populous areas, and proximity to secondary events—tsunamis—can play a far bigger role in death tolls.
Disaster preparedness and swift government action can mitigate many secondary casualties as seen comparing the vastly different death tolls of the 2004 and 2011 tsunamis.
Maps
Mapped: The 10 U.S. States With the Lowest Real GDP Growth
In this graphic, we show where real GDP lagged the most across America in 2023 as high interest rates weighed on state economies.
The Top 10 U.S. States, by Lowest Real GDP Growth
This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.
While the U.S. economy defied expectations in 2023, posting 2.5% in real GDP growth, several states lagged behind.
Last year, oil-producing states led the pack in terms of real GDP growth across America, while the lowest growth was seen in states that were more sensitive to the impact of high interest rates, particularly due to slowdowns in the manufacturing and finance sectors.
This graphic shows the 10 states with the least robust real GDP growth in 2023, based on data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Weakest State Economies in 2023
Below, we show the states with the slowest economic activity in inflation-adjusted terms, using chained 2017 dollars:
Rank | State | Real GDP Growth 2023 YoY | Real GDP 2023 |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Delaware | -1.2% | $74B |
2 | Wisconsin | +0.2% | $337B |
3 | New York | +0.7% | $1.8T |
4 | Missississippi | +0.7% | $115B |
5 | Georgia | +0.8% | $661B |
6 | Minnesota | +1.2% | $384B |
7 | New Hampshire | +1.2% | $91B |
8 | Ohio | +1.2% | $698B |
9 | Iowa | +1.3% | $200B |
10 | Illinois | +1.3% | $876B |
U.S. | +2.5% | $22.4T |
Delaware witnessed the slowest growth in the country, with real GDP growth of -1.2% over the year as a sluggish finance and insurance sector dampened the state’s economy.
Like Delaware, the Midwestern state of Wisconsin also experienced declines across the finance and insurance sector, in addition to steep drops in the agriculture and manufacturing industries.
America’s third-biggest economy, New York, grew just 0.7% in 2023, falling far below the U.S. average. High interest rates took a toll on key sectors, with notable slowdowns in the construction and manufacturing sectors. In addition, falling home prices and a weaker job market contributed to slower economic growth.
Meanwhile, Georgia experienced the fifth-lowest real GDP growth rate. In March 2024, Rivian paused plans to build a $5 billion EV factory in Georgia, which was set to be one of the biggest economic development initiatives in the state in history.
These delays are likely to exacerbate setbacks for the state, however, both Kia and Hyundai have made significant investments in the EV industry, which could help boost Georgia’s manufacturing sector looking ahead.
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