A timeline of the biggest earthquakes in recent history

An 8.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of northern Chile on Tuesday night, forcing a massive evacuation along the coastline. Here is a short timeline of some of the world's recent major earthquakes.

An 8.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of northern Chile on Tuesday night, forcing a massive evacuation along the coastline.

Here is a short timeline of some of the world's recent major earthquakes:

Biggest earthquake ever was also recorded in Chile

9.5 magnitude — May 22, 1960, near Valdivia, Chile

Killer quakes since 2000

Nov 7, 2012: Guatemala and Mexico; 7.4 magnitude; 139 dead

Aug 11, 2012: East Azerbaijan and Iran; 6.4 magnitude; 306 dead

Oct 23, 2011: Van, Turkey; 7.2 magnitude; 604 dead

March 11, 2011: 9.0 magnitude quake triggers devastating Tsunami off-NE Japan; 19,000 dead or missing*

Feb 22, 2011: Christchurch, New Zealand; 6.3 magnitude; 185 dead

April 14, 2010: Qinghai province in China; 6.9 magnitude; more than 400 dead

Feb 27, 2010: Chile; 8.8 magnitude; more than 450 dead

Jan 12, 2010: Port-au-Prince, Haiti; 7.0 magnitude; about 230,000 dead

Sept 29, 2009: Sumatra, Indonesia; 7.9 magnitude; 1,000

April 6, 2009: La'Aquila, Italy; 6.3 magnitude; 300 dead

Oct 29, 2008: Quetta, Pakistan; 6.4 magnitude; 300 dead

May 12, 2008: Sichuan province in China; 8.0 magnitude; 87,000 dead or missing

Aug 15, 2007: Lima, Peru*; 519 dead

May 27, 2006: Java, Indonesia; 6.2 magnitude; more than 5,700 dead

Oct 8, 2005: Pakistan-occupied Kashmir; 7.6 magnitude; 73,000 dead

Dec 26, 2004: 9.2 magnitude quake in Indian Ocean unleashes Tsunami; 220,000 dead

Dec 26, 2003: Bam, Iran; more than 26,000 dead

Jan 26, 2001: Bhuj, Gujarat; 7.9 magnitude; about 20,000 dead

*epicentre was under the sea bed