More than 35,000 people have been killed and the death toll is expected to rise after two earthquakes struck Turkey and Syria on Feb. 6. The quakes have become one of this century’s worst natural disasters.
More than 75,000 people have been injured. International rescue efforts from the U.N. and other organizations continue.
The two earthquakes, near the Syrian border, had magnitudes of 7.8 and 7.5. They struck about nine hours apart and were the strongest quakes recorded in Turkey in 80 years.
USA TODAY examined earthquake patterns over the past 100 years and how the unfolding tragedy in Turkey and Syria compares. Here is what we found.
Where did deadliest earthquakes occur?
The map below shows locations of the deadliest earthquakes recorded since 1920.
How magnitudes of earthquakes, casualties compare
Which earthquakes were the most deadly?
Earthquakes are measured by magnitude, a scale that shows the amount of energy released.
Which earthquakes were the largest?
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SOURCE USA TODAY Network reporting and research; U.S. Geological Survey; Associated Press; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration