DEADLIEST EARTHQUAKES IN THE HISTORY.

An 8.9-magnitude earthquake has hit northeastern japan, producing a destructive tsunami that swept through 

 several coastal areas.Here we have tried to look at some of history's most unforgiving earthquakes.

A quake struck central China in January 1556, estimated at around magnitude 7.9, killing approximately 820,000 people. Hundreds of thousands of people living in artificial caves built into cliffsides were crushed when landslides destroyed their homes. Despite the high toll, it is only the third-worst natural disaster in history – the other two being floods, both also in China.

 Tangshan, China

The deadliest quake of the 20th Century occurred in eastern China, July 1976. It killed 250,000, though initial estimates were almost three times that number. The area worst-affected was thought to be low risk for quakes, and buildings were not built to withstand strong tremors. Strange animal behaviour was noted before the shaking – the city's dragonflies reportedly left in the days leading up to the quake, and fish were seen trying to leap out of their aquarium

The Chinese State Seismological Bureau even issued a warning to the region a few weeks beforehand that a quake was likely. One county took note, and the UN later concluded the death toll could have been a lot higher if preparations had not been made. Kanto, Japan

A 7.9 quake shook the Kanto region of Japan in 1923, an area encompassing Tokyo and Yokohama, both of which were devastated. The quake hit in the middle of the day when many people were cooking with fire. Winds spread the flames quickly, and a broken water mains system formed a deadly combination with an offshore typhoon, resulting in firestorms which burned tens of thousands alive. Others got stuck in melting tarmac or were swept away by landslides and tsunamis. Around 100,000 were confirmed killed and 40,000 missing, for a likely total around 140,000.

In addition to the toll exacted by the quake, typhoon, firestorms and tsunamis, over 6,000 Koreans were murdered after rumours spread they were looting and deliberately setting fires.

 before reaching new york city,collided with another vessel,killing there already traumatized italian passengers.