Deadly Earthquakes of the 21st Century: Haiti and Indian Ocean Among the Worst, with Depth and Location as Major Factors
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The deadliest earthquake of the 21st century was in Haiti in 2010, resulting in over 300,000 deaths.
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The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake triggered a tsunami that caused over 227,000 deaths, making it the second deadliest.
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Shallow epicenters near populated areas, like in Haiti and Türkiye/Syria, lead to more destruction.
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Secondary events like tsunamis can greatly increase an earthquake's death toll.
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Quick disaster response by governments can help reduce casualties, but sanctions on nations like Syria hinder relief efforts.