1: Chile, May 22 1960, magnitude 9.5

The largest recorded earthquake, along the Chile-Peru trench, caused more than 2,000 deaths, with 3,000 injured, 2 million homeless and $550m (£286,000) damage in southern Chile. Tsunamis which followed measured as high as 25 metres close to the epicentre. They killed 61 in Hawaii, 138 in Japan, 32 in the Philippines, and caused $500,000 worth of damage on the US west coast.

2: Prince William Sound, Alaska, March 28 1964, magnitude 9.2

The largest earthquake to hit Alaska killed 15, but 125 lives were lost in the accompanying tsunami caused $311m damage and devastated many towns along the Gulf of Alaska and the US west coast. The highest wave recorded was 67 metres.

3: Andreanof Islands, Alaska, March 9 1957, magnitude 9.1

This earthquake generated two tsunamis of 15 and eight metres which travelled as far as Hawaii, Chile, El Salvador and Japan. More than 300 aftershocks were reported along edge of Aleutian islands. Mount Vsevidof volcano also erupted after being dormant for 200 years.

4: Kamchatka peninsula, Russia, November 4 1952, magnitude 9.0

Created 13-metre waves. No lives lost, though about $1m of damage was inflicted in Hawaii, as homes, piers and boats were wrecked.

5: West coast of northern Sumatra, December 26, 2004, magnitude 8.9

Yesterday's earthquake was over six miles below sea level. Thousands killed.

6: Coast of Ecuador, January 31, 1906, magnitude 8.8

Tsunami killed up to 1,500 people. It affected the coast of Central America and reached San Francisco and Japan.

7: Rat Islands, Alaska, February 4, 1965, magnitude 8.7

Generated 10-metre waves, damaging houses and runways, but no records of deaths.

8: Assam, India, August 15, 1950, magnitude 8.6

More than 1,500 deaths and $25m damage. Epicentre was on China-Tibet border, but worst damage was in Assam, India where floods, landslides, and breached dykes destroyed more than 70 villages and killed more than 650 people.

9 Earthquake off Kamchatka peninsula, Russia, February 3, 1923, magnitude 8.5

Extensive damage at Hilo and Kahalui, Hawaii.

10 Banda Sea, Indonesia, February 1 1938, magnitude 8.5

Extensive damage caused by tsunamis which reached New Guinea and Australia.