CARACAS -- The flash floods and mudslides which devastated the northern coast of Venezuela last week and may have killed up to 30,000 people are among the worst natural disasters in Latin America this century.
Here is a chronology of major natural disasters in Latin America in the 20th century.
May 31, 1970 -- PERU -- The north of Peru is levelled by an earthquake of 7.8 on the Richter scale, killing 66,000 people.
Dec. 16, 1999 -- VENEZUELA -- Flash floods and mudslides leave up to 30,000 dead in the coastal state of Vargas.
Jan. 25, 1939 -- CHILE -- An earthquake of 8.3 on the Richter scale strikes the town of Chillan, just south of the capital Santiago, killing 28,000 people.
Nov. 13, 1985 -- COLOMBIA -- The Nevado de Ruiz volcano erupts burying the town of Armero and killing 25,000 people.
Feb. 4, 1976 -- GUATEMALA -- An earthquake of 7.5 on the Richter scale shakes Guatemala, leaving 23,000 dead.
Aug. 17, 1906 -- CHILE -- An earthquake of 8.6 on the Richter scale lays low the Chilean port of Valparaiso, killing 20,000 people.
Sep. 19, 1985 -- MEXICO -- Mexico City and other provinces are shaken by an earthquake measuring 8.1 on the Richter scale which kills 9,500 people.
Oct. 1998 -- CENTRAL AMERICA -- The countries of Central America, particularly Honduros and Nicaragua, are pounded by Hurricane Mitch, leaving 9,000 dead.
Oct. 1963 -- CARIBBEAN ISLANDS -- Hurricane Flora plows through the Caribbean Islands, including Cuba, leaving 6,000 dead.
Aug 5, 1949 -- ECUADOR -- Central Ecuador is wracked by an earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale, centered on the town of Pelileo, which kills 6,000.