Sign up for free

Newsletters

Once a month
get new photos
and expert tips.

Science and Space
Main Health and Human Body Earth Environment Space Prehistoric World A-Z

Earthquake Damage

Japan suffered its worst earthquake in a decade in October 2004, when a magnitude 6.6 quake rattled Niigata Prefecture, killing dozens and displacing 100,000 people. Scientists often can say where such extreme shaking is likely to hit—but still can't tell when.

Photograph by Kimimasa Mayama/Reuters