World’s Deadliest Earthquakes in Contrast to Japan’s 2011 Earthquake
Posted: Tuesday, March 15, 2011
by Mogama
http://www.mogama.info
Prior to 1900, when the science of earthquakes became precise, earthquakes were primarily measured in terms of their destructive impact; specifically how many humans they killed. Before 1900, the six most deadly earthquakes are the following:
Keeping the death toll low has the impression of making Japan the go-to country when it comes to the most earthquake-resistant building code in the world. The world is supposed to stand in awe of how the Japanese have mastered the art of battling earthquakes. We are to wonder at how developed Japan is, so much so that not even a massive 8.9 earthquake is any match for the advanced Japanese.
The danger of this portrait, especially if reality is otherwise, is that the suffering of Japanese may garner not a lot of heartfelt sympathy from the world’s peoples. But good for us we are seeing the Japanese masses, and their reaction to the devastation does not match that of their officials of government. The despair and grief of the Japanese masses are in stark contrast to the stoic confidence, almost contrived facade, being put forth by Japanese government officials, based on their insistence that this huge killer earthquake failed against the indomitable Japanese.
The truth is most ordinary Japanese are not buying this official portrait and low death count. The Japanese people know that probably tens of thousands more of their family members, friends and fellow citizens have perished from the combo of earthquake and tsunami than their national leaders are telling the world.
Sources:
- In the year 526, the earthquake of Antioch (Syria) killed 250,000.
- In the year 856, the earthquake of Damghan (Iran) killed 200,000.
- In the year 1138, the earthquake of Aleppo (Syria) killed 230, 000.
- In the year 1556, the earthquake of Shensi (China) killed 830,000, making it the deadliest in recorded history.
- In the year 1703, the earthquake of Tokyo (Japan) killed 200,000.
- In the year 1290, the earthquake of Chihli (China) killed 100,000.
- 85,000 died in the earthquake of Southern Italy, 1908.
- 200,000 died in the earthquake of Gansu (China), 1920.
- 143,000 died in the earthquake of Kwaanto (Japan), 1923.
- 200,000 died in the earthquake of Xining (China), 1927.
- 50,000 died in the earthquake of Quetta (Pakistan), 1935.
- 66,000 died in the earthquake of Peru, 1970.
- 655,000 died in the earthquake of China, 1976.
- 55,000 died in the earthquake of Turkey & the former USSR, 1988.
- 50,000 died in the earthquake of Iran, 1990.
- 230,000 died in the earthquake of Haiti, January 12, 2010.
Keeping the death toll low has the impression of making Japan the go-to country when it comes to the most earthquake-resistant building code in the world. The world is supposed to stand in awe of how the Japanese have mastered the art of battling earthquakes. We are to wonder at how developed Japan is, so much so that not even a massive 8.9 earthquake is any match for the advanced Japanese.
The danger of this portrait, especially if reality is otherwise, is that the suffering of Japanese may garner not a lot of heartfelt sympathy from the world’s peoples. But good for us we are seeing the Japanese masses, and their reaction to the devastation does not match that of their officials of government. The despair and grief of the Japanese masses are in stark contrast to the stoic confidence, almost contrived facade, being put forth by Japanese government officials, based on their insistence that this huge killer earthquake failed against the indomitable Japanese.
The truth is most ordinary Japanese are not buying this official portrait and low death count. The Japanese people know that probably tens of thousands more of their family members, friends and fellow citizens have perished from the combo of earthquake and tsunami than their national leaders are telling the world.
Sources:
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Yes Mogama, I believe the death rate is a lot higher than what we hear.Please log in to respond to this comment.It is sad, David, that perception should be that important to political leaders, but then again, Japanese officials are not the only ones who'd rather impress the world than tell the truth about a really bad situation that has devastated their people. ~mogama~Please log in to respond to this comment.
Hello Mogama. Thank you for this well researched and informative information. It does seem hard to believe that less than 10,000 lost their lives - unless of course, this is a miracle. Time will tell. And then to add, this quake was upgraded to a 9.0 - Lord help all of them. Blessings! TeresaPlease log in to respond to this comment.Yes, Teresa, by downplaying the devastation the government of Japan may be lowering the compassionate response from other nations. Yes, there has been relief from the international community, but it could have been so much more if Japanese government officials were not hiding the real impact of this disaster, which is probably at least ten times worse than what is being portrayed. That only adds to the pain and suffering of the Japanese masses. Very sad.Please log in to respond to this comment.
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