Final answer:
The strongest earthquake ever recorded was the 9.5 magnitude Great Chilean earthquake of 1960.
Step-by-step explanation:
The strongest earthquake ever recorded was the Great Chilean earthquake which occurred on May 22, 1960. It had a magnitude of 9.5 and struck near Valdivia, Chile.
Earthquakes provide critical data for understanding Earth's interior and tectonic activities. They often occur at plate boundaries and can induce further natural disasters like tsunamis, as seen in the 2011 Japan earthquake. Major earthquakes throughout history, such as the events in Haiti in 2010 and Sumatra in 2004, not only show the sometimes catastrophic consequences of such natural phenomena but also underscore the importance of earthquake preparedness and the study of seismology.