Which earthquake caused the most casualties in modern recorded history?
Quick Answer
The 1556 Shaanxi earthquake in China is generally considered the deadliest earthquake in history, with an estimated death toll of about 830,000. It is the deadliest known earthquake disaster.
The Full Story
The Shaanxi earthquake struck China in 1556 and is estimated to have killed about 830,000 people, making it the deadliest earthquake in recorded history. Most deaths were caused by collapses of loess cave dwellings and buildings across a wide region. Because it happened long before modern instruments, the magnitude is only estimated, but the human toll is well documented in historical records. The event remains a grim benchmark in earthquake history.
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