10. The 1556 Shaanxi Earthquake
Known as the deadliest earthquake in history, the 1556 Shaanxi earthquake struck northern China, causing the deaths of approximately 830,000 people. With a magnitude of 8.0, it devastated the region, collapsing buildings, triggering landslides, and flooding vast areas.
The destruction was so widespread that entire cities vanished, and it led to significant shifts in China’s population distribution. This tragedy is still remembered for its immense toll on human lives.