Which countries are most at risk of tsunamis?
TSUNAMIS are among the most terrifying and dangerous of natural disasters.
Here we look at the top ten most devastating tsunamis in modern history…
Which countries are most at risk of tsunamis?
Tsunamis often take place in the Pacific Ocean, according to the NOAA Center for Tsunami Research.
The Pacific Rim which borders the ocean has a large number of active submarine earthquake zones.
Countries immediately affected include Alaska, Chile, Indonesia, Philippines, and Japan.
The Mediterranean Sea region and Caribbean Sea can also be affected.
Reports have claimed almost 75 per cent of the world's tsunamis have occurred in the Pacific Ocean, where subduction zones (movement of tectonic plates causing earthquakes) are common.
Biggest tsunami disasters in modern history
- Sumatra, Indonesia, Boxing Day, 2004
The earthquake and tsunami struck off the west coast of Indonesia and left 250,000 people killed or missing in 14 different countries including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand.
- North Pacific Coast, Japan, March 11, 2011
The tsunami which caused havoc at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan was triggered by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake.
It caused a series of explosions and meltdowns at the plant and became the world's worst nuclear accident in 25 years.
More than 15,000 people died in the natural disaster and many more lost their homes.
- Jakarta, Indonesia, July 17, 2016
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck the city at around 3pm local time, and within 109 minutes 7m waves killed more than 600 locals and holiday makers.
- Greece and Turkey, July 21, 2017
A 6.7 magnitude quake that struck Bodrum in Turkey and the Greek island of Kos also triggered a tsunami.
Witnesses told how sea levels dipped by about a foot before the tsunami struck, followed by mass floods shortly after.
- Mexico, September 8, 2017
An 8.1 magnitude quake struck off the coast of Mexico triggering tsunami warnings in eight central American countries.
Waves three feet above tidal level were detected as mass evacuations of coastal areas began.
- Alaska, January 23, 2018
A tsunami warning was lifted hours after a 7.9 magnitude quake struck off the Alaskan coast at around 12.30am local time (9.30am GMT).
Residents in coastal towns close to the epicentre were woken in the night by warning sirens and urged to flee their homes for ground at least 100ft above sea level.
- Majorca and Menorca, July 17, 2018
A "meteotsunami" lashed beaches on the Spanish Islands of Majorca and Menorca.
Waves measuring almost five feet hit Ciutadella on the west coast of Menorca, and buildings were flooded in Andratx, Majorca.
A dad-of-two was swept to sea in front of his wife and kids.
- Palu, Indonesia, September 28, 2018
A powerful magnitude-7.5 earthquake and 10-foot-high (3m) tsunami struck Indonesia on Friday evening, September 28, smashing into two cities and several settlements.
The earthquake sent huge waves crashing in to the city of Palu at 500mph, on the northeastern coast of Sulawesi island, killing at least 1,203 people.
Thousands have been left homeless, and hundreds of people have been reported missing as rescuers race to find survivors despite continued tremors and aftershocks.
- Hilo Hawaii May 23, 1960
This powerful tsunami destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses downtown and killed 61 people.
It was caused by an 8.25-8.5-magnitude earthquake off the west coast of South America.
The tsunami consisted of eight separate waves that ranged from 4 to 14 feet above sea level.
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