Great Quakes

Imagine a quiet evening in late August, 1949. The sun has just dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the serene waters surrounding the Queen Charlotte Islands, now known as Haida Gwaii. The dense forests are alive with the sounds of nature—a gentle breeze rustling through the towering cedars, the distant call of an eagle echoing over the treetops, and the rhythmic lapping of waves against the rocky shore. For the residents of this remote archipelago on Canada’s Pacific coast, it was just another peaceful night, a moment to unwind after a day spent in harmony with the...

Imagine waking up early in the morning to the sound of birds chirping and the promise of a new day. For the residents of Neiva, Colombia, July 31, 1970, started like any other day. But as the sun began to rise, the earth beneath them suddenly roared to life. Buildings shook violently, roads cracked open, and a sense of panic spread through the city. The ground didn't just tremble; it heaved, throwing people off their feet and reducing homes to rubble in a matter of seconds. It was a scene of chaos and terror that no one could have anticipated....

Imagine it's a quiet summer night in Shandong Province, China, in the year 1668. Families are fast asleep, children tucked in bed, and the world outside is calm and still. Suddenly, the ground begins to tremble. The shaking intensifies, turning into a violent convulsion that rips through the earth. Buildings collapse, the ground splits open, and the once peaceful night is filled with the sounds of destruction and the cries of terrified people. This was the terrifying reality for the inhabitants of Shandong on July 25, 1668, when one of the most powerful earthquakes in Chinese history struck. The 1668...

Imagine a serene summer morning on the picturesque island of Amorgos. The gentle sound of waves lapping against the shore, the whisper of the wind through olive trees, and the distant hum of a village coming to the life in the early hours of the day. Families gather in their stone-built homes for an early meal. The iconic whitewashed churches and monasteries stand silently, bathed in the soft sunrise. It is a scene of tranquility, typical of this beautiful Aegean island. But as the clock ticks past 5:11 AM on July 9, 1956, this peaceful morning is violently shattered. Without...

It’s a serene June afternoon in 1973 in the quaint coastal town of Nemuro, located at the eastern tip of Hokkaido, Japan. The sky is clear, and the Pacific Ocean’s waves gently lap against the shore. Fishermen are busy preparing their boats for the next catch, children are playing in the streets, and the daily hustle and bustle of life carries on as usual. Suddenly, without warning, the ground begins to shake. At first, it's a mild tremor, causing curiosity rather than concern. But within seconds, the tremor escalates into a violent quake, shaking buildings to their foundations and sending...