12. The 1755 Lisbon Earthquake
The 1755 Lisbon earthquake struck with extraordinary force, followed by a destructive tsunami and raging fires. The devastation transformed Lisbon and sent shockwaves through the intellectual world, influencing Enlightenment thinkers like Voltaire to question society, religion, and nature. This disaster also spurred significant advances in seismic engineering and urban planning as cities worldwide sought to reduce earthquake risks. Its legacy lives on in philosophies of resilience and disaster preparedness. Learn more from USGS.
