The year 2025 has emerged as one of the most catastrophic in terms of natural disasters, with earthquakes and floods causing unprecedented devastation across the world. Between January and December, an estimated 16,500 earthquakes measuring above 4.0 on the Richter scale were recorded globally. More than a dozen exceeded 7.0 magnitude, resulting in thousands of deaths and millions displaced.
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar in March proved to be the deadliest of the year, killing approximately 5,456 people and triggering tremors as far away as Bangkok, Thailand. In January, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, claiming over 100 lives. The same month, Japan issued tsunami warnings after a powerful undersea quake near the Honshu coast. February brought a 6.1 magnitude earthquake in Nepal, with tremors felt in India’s Bihar and parts of Pakistan.
April saw a 6.5 magnitude quake in the Masbate region of the Philippines, generating mild tsunami waves. Earthquakes of similar intensity shook Greece’s Aegean Sea zone in May and Indonesia’s Halmahera in June. On July 29, Russia’s Kamchatka coast recorded the year’s strongest earthquake at 8.8 magnitude, prompting tsunami alerts across the Pacific. Major quakes continued through August in Chile and in September in New Zealand’s Kermadec Islands, both triggering tsunami warnings.
In October, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck Mexico, causing minor damage. In November, western Afghanistan experienced severe destruction and heavy loss of life following a 6.3 magnitude quake, leaving hundreds homeless and forcing emergency relocation efforts. Experts warn that the possibility of additional seismic activity remains high through December.
Floods contributed further to the global crisis, affecting China, India, Japan, the Philippines, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the United States, and several other nations. Sri Lanka reported the highest flood-related death toll this year, with 355 fatalities recorded to date and numbers continuing to rise.
Experts have raised alarm over the increasing frequency of earthquakes and floods worldwide. Rapid urbanization in high-risk zones has amplified the scale of damage. The surge in seismic activity is particularly notable in countries located in the Pacific Ring of Fire and in the Indian subcontinent, where tectonic plates intersect. Disaster specialists stress the urgent need for earthquake-resistant construction and strengthened public awareness on disaster preparedness to reduce future casualties.