1 The Japanese earthquake and tsunami, 2011
Thought to have caused at least $100bn-worth of damage, making it the costliest disaster in recent history, according to "catastrophe modelling" firm Eqecat.
2 Sichuan earthquake, 2008
70,000 died, 18,000 went missing and almost five million lost their homes, according to official figures. Insurer Munich Re put the cost at $85bn.
3 Hurricane Katrina, 2005
More than 1,800 died. Total property damage: $81bn.
4 Pakistan floods, 2010
2,000 died when monsoon rains left a fifth of the country under water. Estimated financial cost: $43bn.
5 Haiti earthquake, 2010
316,000 died, according to the government, and a million were left homeless. The Inter-American Development Bank put rebuilding cost at $14bn.
6 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, 2004
More than 230,000 died in 14 countries. Financial cost unclear; humanitarian aid more than $14bn.
7 Christchurch earthquake, 2011
At least 166 people died and 10,000 buildings were wrecked. JP Morgan puts the cost to insurers at up to $12bn.
