Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1923
| |||
Strongest magnitude | ![]() | ||
---|---|---|---|
Deadliest | ![]() | ||
Total fatalities | 194,102 | ||
Number by magnitude | |||
9.0+ | 0 | ||
8.0–8.9 | 2 | ||
7.0–7.9 | 15 | ||
6.0–6.9 | 51 | ||
5.0–5.9 | 2 | ||
This is a list of earthquakes in 1923. Only magnitude 6.0 or greater earthquakes appear on the list. Lower magnitude events are included if they have caused death, injury or damage. Events which occurred in remote areas will be excluded from the list as they wouldn't have generated significant media interest. All dates are listed according to UTC time. 1923 was a memorable year. Among the events was the great Tokyo, Japan earthquake. Other destructive earthquakes struck China, Iran, Colombia and Russia. The Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia and Japan saw very much activity this year.
Rank | Death toll | Magnitude | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 186,283 | 7.9 | ![]() | XI (Extreme) | 15.0 | September 1 |
2 | 4,800 | 7.0 | ![]() | X (Extreme) | 15.0 | March 24 |
3 | 2,200 | 5.7 | ![]() | X (Extreme) | 0.0 | May 25 |
4 | 300 | 5.3 | ![]() | IX (Violent) | 0.0 | December 14 |
5 | 290 | 6.8 | ![]() | ( ) | 15.0 | September 22 |
6 | 157 | 6.4 | ![]() | ( ) | 15.0 | September 17 |
7 | 51 | 6.8 | ![]() | IX (Violent) | 0.0 | February 24 |
8 | 18 | 6.8 | ![]() | X (Extreme) | 35.0 | April 13 |
Rank | Magnitude | Death toll | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 8.4 | 3 | ![]() | XI (Extreme) | 15.0 | February 3 |
2 | 8.1 | 186,283 | ![]() | XI (Extreme) | 15.0 | September 1 |
3 | 7.8 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 15.0 | September 2 |
4 | 7.4 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 15.0 | October 7 |
= 5 | 7.3 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 15.0 | February 24 |
= 5 | 7.3 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 35.0 | September 1 |
= 6 | 7.2 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 35.0 | February 2 |
= 6 | 7.2 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 25.0 | June 22 |
= 6 | 7.2 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 145.1 | November 2 |
= 7 | 7.1 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 35.0 | June 1 |
= 7 | 7.1 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 35.0 | September 2 |
= 8 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 15.0 | March 2 |
= 8 | 7.0 | 4,800 | ![]() | X (Extreme) | 15.0 | March 24 |
= 8 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 25.0 | May 4 |
= 8 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 35.0 | July 13 |
= 8 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 35.0 | September 1 |
= 8 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 35.0 | November 4 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.9 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 1 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
22 [1] [2] | ![]() | 6.9 | 15.0 | VIII | Some damage was reported. |
Strongest magnitude | 8.4 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.8 Mw ![]() 51+ deaths |
Total fatalities | 54+ |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 1 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 4 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [3] | ![]() | 6.9 | 30.0 | ||||
2 [4] | ![]() | 6.7 | 15.0 | Foreshock. | |||
2 [5] | ![]() | 7.2 | 35.0 | Foreshock. | |||
3 [6] [7] [8] | ![]() | 8.4 | 15.0 | XI | The February 1923 Kamchatka earthquake generated a large tsunami which caused some damage. Three deaths were reported. Two were in Russia with the third being in Hawaii. Damage costs were $1.5 million (1923 rate). | 3 | |
23 [9] | ![]() | 6.5 | 35.0 | ||||
24 [10] | ![]() | 6.8 | 0.0 | IX | At least 51 deaths were caused. | 51+ | |
24 [11] [12] | ![]() | 7.3 | 15.0 | Some damage was caused. |
Strongest magnitude | 7.0 Mw 2 events |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.0 Mw ![]() 4,800 deaths |
Total fatalities | 4,800 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 2 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
2 [13] [14] | ![]() | 7.0 | 15.0 | VII | |||
14 [15] | ![]() | 6.4 | 35.0 | ||||
16 [16] | ![]() | 6.8 | 35.0 | ||||
24 [17] [18] | ![]() | 7.0 | 15.0 | X | The 1923 Renda earthquake killed 4,800 people and caused major property damage. | 4,800 |
Strongest magnitude | 8.2 Mw 2 events |
---|---|
Deadliest | 8.2 Mw ![]() 18 deaths |
Total fatalities | 18 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 1 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 3 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
13 [19] [20] [21] [22] | ![]() | 8.2 | 35.0 | X | 18 people were killed due to a tsunami caused by the April 1923 Kamchatka earthquake and tsunami. 400 people were believed drowned in Korea. Major damage was reported. | 18 | |
19 [23] | ![]() | 6.8 | 35.0 | ||||
23 [24] | ![]() | 6.6 | 20.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.0 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 5.7 Mw ![]() 2,200 deaths |
Total fatalities | 2,200 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 3 |
5.0–5.9 | 1 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
4 [25] | ![]() | 7.0 | 25.0 | ||||
4 [26] [27] | ![]() | 6.5 | 35.0 | Some homes were damaged or destroyed. | |||
12 [28] | ![]() | 6.4 | 25.0 | ||||
15 [29] | ![]() | 0.0 | 0.0 | IX | Damage was reported in the area. The magnitude and depth were unknown. | ||
23 [30] | ![]() | 6.5 | 15.0 | ||||
25 [31] | ![]() | 5.7 | 0.0 | X | 2,200 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.2 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 2 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [32] | ![]() | 6.9 | 15.0 | rowspan="2"|This pair of events struck three hours apart and is an example of a doublet earthquake. | |||
1 [33] | ![]() | 7.1 | 35.0 | ||||
Jun 18 [34] | ![]() | 6.8 | 15.0 | ||||
22 [35] | ![]() | 7.2 | 25.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.0 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 4 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
2 [36] | ![]() | 6.2 | 25.0 | ||||
12 [37] | ![]() | 6.4 | 15.0 | ||||
13 [38] | ![]() | 7.0 | 35.0 | ||||
13 [39] | ![]() | 6.6 | 35.0 | Aftershock. | |||
23 [40] [41] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | Two people were injured and minor damage was caused. |
Strongest magnitude | 6.6 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 5 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [42] | ![]() | 6.5 | 35.0 | ||||
8 [43] | ![]() | 6.3 | 110.0 | ||||
11 [44] | ![]() | 6.3 | 35.0 | ||||
12 [45] | ![]() | 6.6 | 35.0 | ||||
28 [46] | ![]() | 6.5 | 10.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 8.1 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 8.1 Mw ![]() 186,283 deaths |
Total fatalities | 186,730 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 1 |
7.0–7.9 | 4 |
6.0–6.9 | 13 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [47] [48] | ![]() | 8.1 | 15.0 | XI | The 1923 Great Kantō earthquake was one of the most destructive of the 20th Century. Tokyo and surrounding areas suffered heavily both in human and material terms. The death toll was 142,807 with another 43,476 missing. Another 47,000 were injured. Strong aftershocks rattled the region and the fires associated with the earthquakes caused further disruption. Property damage was $600 million (1923 rate). 695,000 homes were destroyed. | 186,283 | 47,000 |
1 [49] | ![]() | 6.5 | 60.0 | Aftershock. | |||
1 [50] | ![]() | 7.3 | 35.0 | Aftershock. | |||
1 [51] | ![]() | 6.6 | 35.0 | Aftershock. | |||
1 [52] | ![]() | 7.0 | 35.0 | Aftershock. | |||
1 [53] | ![]() | 6.7 | 35.0 | Aftershock. | |||
1 [54] | ![]() | 6.5 | 35.0 | Aftershock. | |||
1 [55] | ![]() | 6.4 | 15.0 | Aftershock. | |||
2 [56] | ![]() | 7.8 | 15.0 | Aftershock. | |||
2 [57] | ![]() | 7.1 | 35.0 | Aftershock. | |||
2 [58] | ![]() | 6.5 | 5.0 | Aftershock. | |||
2 [59] | ![]() | 6.8 | 35.0 | ||||
9 [60] | ![]() | 6.8 | 15.0 | ||||
14 [61] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
16 [62] | ![]() | 6.5 | 35.0 | ||||
17 [63] [64] | ![]() | 6.4 | 15.0 | IX | 157 people were killed and major damage was caused. | 157 | |
22 [65] [66] | ![]() | 6.8 | 15.0 | 290 people were killed. | 290 | ||
26 [67] | ![]() | 6.5 | 10.0 | Aftershock. |
Strongest magnitude | 7.4 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 3 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [68] | ![]() | 6.3 | 15.0 | ||||
7 [69] | ![]() | 7.4 | 15.0 | ||||
10 [70] | ![]() | 6.5 | 15.0 | ||||
15 [71] | ![]() | 6.3 | 35.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.2 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 6 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
2 [72] | ![]() | 7.2 | 145.1 | ||||
3 [73] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
3 [74] | ![]() | 6.8 | 35.0 | ||||
4 [75] | ![]() | 7.0 | 35.0 | ||||
5 [76] | ![]() | 6.9 | 35.0 | ||||
6 [77] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
6 [78] | ![]() | 6.5 | 35.0 | ||||
18 [79] | ![]() | 6.6 | 25.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.5 Mw 2 events |
---|---|
Deadliest | 5.3 Mw ![]() 300 deaths |
Total fatalities | 300 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 3 |
5.0–5.9 | 1 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
4 [80] | ![]() | 6.5 | 5.0 | ||||
5 [81] | ![]() | 6.2 | 10.0 | ||||
14 [82] | ![]() | 5.3 | 0.0 | IX | 300 people were killed and major damage was caused. | 300 | |
28 [83] | ![]() | 6.5 | 20.0 |
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