The Dec. 16, 1920 Haiyuan earthquake which registered a 7.8 magnitude on the Richter scale caused rivers to change course and sent landslides pouring down mountains. Destruction stretched across seven Chinese provinces. Sujiahe, a town in in Xiji County, was completely buried under a landslide. An estimated 200,000 people died in the disaster, which was felt as far away as Norway.
Top 10 Deadliest Earthquakes
An 8.9-magnitude earthquake has hit northeastern Japan, producing a destructive tsunami that swept through several coastal areas. TIME takes a look at some of history's most unforgiving earthquakes