Ten deadliest natural disasters by highest estimated death toll excluding epidemics and famines

Hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes might seem like the most dangerous natural hazards you could ever face, but floods and droughts actually kill more Americans over time.

The Antioch Earthquake, which hit the Byzantine Empire, specifically the city of Antioch in present-day Türkiye, occurred on 20 May 526 CE and is the tenth deadliest natural disaster ever recorded. The event had an estimated death toll of approximately 250,000 people, but is likely higher.

The world's deadliest natural disasters span more than 2,500 years of human history and include earthquakes, tsunamis and cyclones.

There are so many different natural phenomena that can have devastating impacts on the world. Were you more surprised to learn that lightning bolts can be five times hotter than the sun, or that blizzards are often more dangerous than tornadoes?