A look at some of the deadliest natural disasters around the world in the past 40 years:

• May 2008: Earthquake (magnitude 7.9) hits Sichuan province in central China. Thousands are killed.
• May 2008: Cyclone Nargis strikes Myanmar, killing more than 30,000 and leaving an additional 30,000 missing.
• October 2005: Northern Pakistan earthquake (magnitude 7.6) kills about 78,000 people.
• August 2005: U.S. Gulf Coast Hurricane Katrina kills at least 1,600 people in Louisiana and Mississippi.
• December 2004: Indian Ocean tsunami (triggered by magnitude 9.0 earthquake) kills 230,000 in a dozen countries.
• December 2003: Southeastern Iran earthquake (magnitude 6.5) kills 26,000.
• August 1999: Western Turkey earthquake (magnitude 7.4) kills 17,000.
• October 1998: Central America Hurricane Mitch kills 9,000.
• April 1991: Bangladesh cyclone kills 140,000.
• June 1990: Northwestern Iran earthquake (magnitude 7.7) kills 50,000.
• July 1976: Northeastern China earthquake (magnitude 8.2) kills 240,000, with some estimates at 655,000.
• November 1970: Bangladesh cyclone kills 300,000. World's deadliest cyclone on record.