Worst earthquakes of the past 5 decades

A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Nepal on April 25, 2015, killing thousands, triggering avalanches on Mount Everest, anddestroying buildings and historic temples in the surrounding area, including the capital city of Kathmandu.

• Nepal earthquake death toll rises
• Kathmanduwas 'nightmare waiting to happen'
• Shallow quakes pack more punch
• Richter 'magnitude' scale explained

Major earthquakesareone of the most destructive events in the natural world. They areunpredictable and can kill thousands of people and obliterate homes, buildings and roads in a matter of seconds. Undersea quakes can also trigger tsunamis.

Earthquakes capable ofcausing widespreaddamage, injury and death have hit populated areas every year over the past decade.More than three million people were killed in quakes in the 20th century.

These are the major quakes that have hit populated regions over the past five decades:

Worst earthquakes of the past 5 decades