The largest earthquake ever recorded was slightly over 9 on the magnitude rating
This earthquake occurred in northern Japan in 2011, killing hundreds of people and destroys buildings within the area
This earthquake also caused a 23 foot tsunami and was followed by more than fifty aftershocks.
This isn't likely to happen on the East Coast, but it could. This is an aerial view of damage to Sukuiso, Japan, a week after the earthquake and subsequent tsunami devastated the area in March, 2011.