China had 3 of the top 10 world 's most fatal earthquakes , including the 1556 Shaanxi earthquake that reportedly killed more than 830,000 people , listed as the deadliest earthquakes of all times and the third deadliest natural disaster . The 1976 Tangshan earthquake , with death toll estimated to be between 242,419 and 779,000 , is ranked the third deadliest earthquake of all times , and 8th deadliest natural disaster . The 1920 Haiyuan earthquake killed 200,000 to 240,000 , ranked the fourth deadliest earthquake and 9th deadliest of all natural disasters . The 2008 Sichuan earthquake that took lives of close to 70,000 was the greatest since 1976
1920 Haiyuan earthquake
1920 Haiyuan earthquake
Natural disasters in China