List of earthquakes in 1926

Earthquakes in 1926

class=notpageimage| Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1926 4.0–5.9 magnitude 6.0–6.9 magnitude 7.0–7.9 magnitude 8.0+ magnitude
Strongest magnitude	2 events reached magnitude 7.6
Deadliest	Turkey Kars Province (Magnitude 5.7) October 22, 360 deaths
Total fatalities	976
Number by magnitude
9.0+	0
←  1925 1927  →

This is a list of earthquakes in 1926. 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. A fairly active year, with Greece, Dutch East Indies, and the Solomon Islands experiencing many large events. In spite of this the death toll was relatively low.

Overall

By death toll

Rank	Death toll	Magnitude	Location	MMI	Depth (km)	Date
1	360	5.7	Turkey, Kars Province	IX (Violent)	7.0	October 22
2	354	6.7 (7.6)	Dutch East Indies, West Sumatra	VII (Very Strong)	15.0	June 28
= 3	101	0.0	Dutch East Indies, central Sumatra	( )	0.0	July 5
= 3	101	5.5	China, Yunnan Province	VII (Very strong)	0.0	November 22
4	51	6.9	Greece, Dodecanese Islands	XI (Extreme)	15.0	June 26

• Note: At least 10 casualties

By magnitude

Rank	Magnitude	Death toll	Location	MMI	Depth (km)	Date
= 1	7.6	0	Russian SFSR	( )	15.0	January 25
= 1	7.6	0	Dutch East Indies, Papua (province)	( )	35.0	October 26
2	7.4	0	Australia, north of Macquarie Island	( )	10.0	October 3
3	7.3	0	British Solomon Islands, northwest Makira	( )	15.0	April 12
4	7.2	0	El Salvador, off coast of	( )	20.0	February 8
= 5	7.1	0	Dutch East Indies, south of Java	( )	35.0	September 10
= 5	7.1	0	British Solomon Islands	( )	15.0	September 16
= 6	7.0	0	United Kingdom, south of the South Sandwich Islands	( )	10.0	March 21
= 6	7.0	0	British Solomon Islands	( )	15.0	March 27
= 6	7.0	0	Chile, Antofagasta Region	( )	90.0	April 28
= 6	7.0	0	France, southeast of the Loyalty Islands	( )	20.0	August 25
= 6	7.0	0	Southwest Indian Ridge	( )	10.0	September 2
= 6	7.0	0	United States, Andreanof Islands, Alaska	( )	40.0	October 13
= 6	7.0	0	Nicaragua León Department	( )	15.0	November 5

• Note: At least 7.0 magnitude

Notable events

January

January

Strongest magnitude	7.6 Mw British Solomon Islands
Total fatalities	0
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.9	0
7.0–7.9	1
6.0–6.9	2

Date	Country and location	Mw	Depth (km)	MMI	Notes	Casualties
						Dead	Injured
15 [1]	Japan, northeast of Hokkaido	6.2	360.0
25 [2]	British Solomon Islands	7.6	15.0
26 [3]	France, southeast of the Loyalty Islands	6.6	20.0

February

February

Strongest magnitude	7.2 Mw   El Salvador
Total fatalities	0
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.9	0
7.0–7.9	1
6.0–6.9	5

Date	Country and location	Mw	Depth (km)	MMI	Notes	Casualties
						Dead	Injured
1 [4]	Venezuela, Sucre, Venezuela	6.5	100.0
4 [5]	Japan, off the west coast of Honshu	6.2	150.0
7 [6]	New Guinea, north of New Britain	6.5	390.0
8 [7]	El Salvador, off the coast	7.2	20.0
9 [8]	Argentina, Santiago del Estero Province	6.5	660.0
15 [9]	El Salvador, off the coast	6.7	15.0		Aftershock.

March

March

Strongest magnitude	7.0 Mw 2 events
Total fatalities	0
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.9	0
7.0–7.9	2
6.0–6.9	4

Date	Country and location	Mw	Depth (km)	MMI	Notes	Casualties
						Dead	Injured
4 [10]	Dutch East Indies, Talaud Islands	6.5	15.0
7 [11]	Peru, Loreto Region	6.5	150.0
17 [12]	Nicaragua, off the east coast	6.9	25.0
18 [13]	Turkey, Antalya Province	6.8	15.0
21 [14]	United Kingdom, south of the South Sandwich Islands	7.0	10.0
27 [15]	British Solomon Islands	7.0	15.0

April

April

Strongest magnitude	7.3 Mw British Solomon Islands
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 [16]	Japan, off the south coast of Honshu	6.9	340.0
5 [17]	Portugal, Azores	6.0	50.0
12 [18]	British Solomon Islands, northwest Makira	7.3	15.0
28 [19]	Chile, Antofagasta Region	7.0	90.0

May

May

Strongest magnitude	6.6 Mw   Philippines
Total fatalities	0
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.9	0
7.0–7.9	0
6.0–6.9	4

Date	Country and location	Mw	Depth (km)	MMI	Notes	Casualties
						Dead	Injured
10 [20]	British Burma, Kachin State	6.2	80.0
11 [21]	Mexico, off the coast of Jalisco	6.2	15.0
20 [22]	Philippines, south of Mindanao	6.6	35.0
26 [23]	Japan, southeast of Hokkaido	6.3	35.0

June

June

Strongest magnitude	6.9 Mw Greece
Deadliest	6.7 Mw   Dutch East Indies 354 deaths
Total fatalities	405
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.9	0
7.0–7.9	0
6.0–6.9	8

Date	Country and location	Mw	Depth (km)	MMI	Notes	Casualties
						Dead	Injured
3 [24]	New Hebrides	6.4	25.0
4 [25]	Tibet, Tibet	6.0	35.0
5 [26]	Japan, south of Kyushu	6.5	180.0
24 [27]	Dutch East Indies, Banda Sea	6.5	150.0
26 [28] [29]	Greece, Dodecanese Islands	6.9	15.0	XI	At least 51 deaths were caused. Major damage was reported.	51+
28 [30] [31]	Dutch East Indies, northern Sumatra	6.7	15.0	IX	The 1926 Padang Panjang earthquake struck West Sumatra killing 354 people and collapsed 2,383 houses. It also had a magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter scale. [32]	354
28 [33]	Dutch East Indies, southern Sumatra	6.4	35.0		Possible aftershock of previous event. Registered as a 7.8 on the Richter magnitude scale. [32]
29 [34]	Japan, Ryukyu Islands	6.8	15.0

July

July

Strongest magnitude	6.8 Mw   Dutch East Indies
Deadliest	0.0 Mw   Dutch East Indies 101+ deaths
Total fatalities	101+
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.9	0
7.0–7.9	0
6.0–6.9	7

Date	Country and location	Mw	Depth (km)	MMI	Notes	Casualties
						Dead	Injured
1 [35]	Dutch East Indies, off the west coast of southern Sumatra	6.8	25.0
5 [36]	Dutch East Indies, central Sumatra	0.0	0.0		At least 101 deaths were caused as well as the destruction of some homes. The magnitude and depth were unknown.	101+
10 [37]	Dutch East Indies, Molucca Sea	6.6	15.0
14 [38]	Dutch East Indies, east of Morotai	6.2	180.0	rowspan="2"| A doublet earthquake as these events struck 12 minutes apart.
14 [38]	Dutch East Indies, east of Morotai	6.2	180.0
16 [39]	New Guinea, Morobe Province	6.3	35.0
26 [40]	Japan, off the west coast of Honshu	6.6	360.0
28 [41]	British Solomon Islands, Rendova Island	6.5	15.0

August

August

Strongest magnitude	7.0 Mw   France
Deadliest	5.3 Mw   Portugal 9 deaths
Total fatalities	9
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.9	0
7.0–7.9	1
6.0–6.9	9
5.0–5.9	2

Date	Country and location	Mw	Depth (km)	MMI	Notes	Casualties
						Dead	Injured
2 [42]	Philippines, Catanduanes	6.6	15.0
3 [43]	Taiwan, southeast of	6.5	15.0
3 [44]	Dutch East Indies, Ceram Sea	6.7	15.0
3 [45]	Dutch East Indies, Nias	6.0	35.0
6 [46]	Tibet, Tibet (1912-1951)	6.3	10.0
9 [47]	United States, Andreanof Islands, Alaska	6.4	35.0
9 [48]	Taiwan, north of	6.3	35.0
12 [49]	Argentina, Salta Province	6.6	250.0
17 [50]	Italy, Aeolian Islands	5.3	100.0	VII	Major damage was reported.
25 [51]	France, southeast of the Loyalty Islands	7.0	20.0
30 [52]	Greece, Peloponnese (region)	6.3	50.0
31 [53] [54]	Portugal, Azores	5.3	4.0		The 1926 Horta earthquake was destructive despite its moderate intensity. 9 people were killed and 200 were injured. 4,138 homes were damaged or destroyed.	9	200

September

September

Strongest magnitude	7.1 Mw 2 events
Total fatalities	0
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.9	0
7.0–7.9	3
6.0–6.9	3

Date	Country and location	Mw	Depth (km)	MMI	Notes	Casualties
						Dead	Injured
2 [55]	Southwest Indian Ridge	7.0	10.0
4 [56]	Japan, southeast of Hokkaido	6.4	35.0
7 [57]	New Guinea, Madang Province	6.6	35.0
10 [58]	Dutch East Indies, south of Java	7.1	35.0
12 [59]	Taiwan, east of	6.5	15.0
16 [60] [61] [62]	British Solomon Islands, west of Guadalcanal	7.1	15.0		Some homes were damaged. A tsunami was observed.

October

October

Strongest magnitude	7.6 Mw   Dutch East Indies
Deadliest	5.7 Mw Turkey 360 deaths
Total fatalities	360
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.9	0
7.0–7.9	3
6.0–6.9	7
5.0–5.9	1

Date	Country and location	Mw	Depth (km)	MMI	Notes	Casualties
						Dead	Injured
3 [63]	Japan, off the east coast of Honshu	6.3	25.0
3 [64]	Australia, north of Macquarie Island	7.4	10.0
13 [65]	United States, Andreanof Islands, Alaska	6.9	45.0		The beginning of a series of large events on this day.
13 [66]	United States, Andreanof Islands, Alaska	6.7	50.0
13 [67]	United States, Andreanof Islands, Alaska	7.0	40.0
22 [68]	United States, Monterey Bay, California	6.1	35.0	rowspan="2"| A doublet earthquake as these events were an hour apart.
22 [69]	United States, Monterey Bay, California	6.3	10.0
22 [70]	Turkey, Kars Province	5.7	7.0	IX	The 1926 Kars earthquake was destructive despite the moderate magnitude. 360 people were killed. Major damage was reported.	360
26 [71]	Dutch East Indies, Papua (province)	7.6	35.0
26 [72]	Dutch East Indies, Papua (province)	6.6	25.0		Aftershock.
26 [73]	Dutch East Indies, Papua (province)	6.3	35.0		Aftershock.

November

November

Strongest magnitude	7.0 Mw   Nicaragua
Deadliest	5.5 Mw   China 101+ deaths
Total fatalities	101+
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.9	0
7.0–7.9	1
6.0–6.9	1
5.0–5.9	1

Date	Country and location	Mw	Depth (km)	MMI	Notes	Casualties
						Dead	Injured
5 [74] [75]	Nicaragua, León Department	7.0	15.0		Major damage was caused.
22 [76]	China, Yunnan Province	5.5	0.0	VII	At least 101 people died and some homes were destroyed. The depth was unknown.	101+
27 [77]	Philippines, Leyte	6.2	15.0

December

December

Strongest magnitude	6.8 Mw   Dutch East Indies
Total fatalities	0
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.9	0
7.0–7.9	0
6.0–6.9	4
5.0–5.9	1

Date	Country and location	Mw	Depth (km)	MMI	Notes	Casualties
						Dead	Injured
9 [78]	Chile, Atacama Region	6.0	33.0
13 [79]	Dutch East Indies, central Java	0.0	0.0	IX	At least 51 people were hurt. Major damage was caused. The magnitude and depth were unknown.		51+
14 [80]	Dutch East Indies, south of Sumba	6.2	35.0
17 [81]	Albanian Republic, Fier County	5.8	0.0	X	Many homes were destroyed. The depth was unknown.
25 [82]	New Guinea, East Sepik Province	6.4	35.0
25 [83]	Dutch East Indies, Makassar Strait	6.8	35.0

References

1. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. January 15, 1926. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
2. "M 7.6 – Solomon Islands". United States Geological Survey. January 25, 1926. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
3. "M 6.6 – southeast of the Loyalty Islands". United States Geological Survey. January 26, 1926. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
4. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. February 1, 1926. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
5. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. February 4, 1926. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
6. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. February 7, 1926. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
7. "M 7.2 – offshore El Salvador". United States Geological Survey. February 8, 1926. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
8. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. February 9, 1926. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
9. "M 6.7 – off the coast of El Salvador". United States Geological Survey. February 15, 1926. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
10. "M 6.5 – Kepulauan Talaud, Indonesia". United States Geological Survey. March 4, 1926. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
11. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. March 7, 1926. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
12. "M 6.9 – Caribbean Sea". United States Geological Survey. March 17, 1926. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
13. "M 6.8 – western Turkey". United States Geological Survey. March 18, 1926. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
14. "M 7.0 – South Sandwich Islands region". United States Geological Survey. March 21, 1926. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
15. "M 7.0 – Solomon Islands". United States Geological Survey. March 27, 1926. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
16. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. April 1, 1926. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
17. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. April 5, 1926. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
18. "M 7.3 – Solomon Islands". United States Geological Survey. April 12, 1926. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
19. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. April 28, 1926. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
20. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. May 10, 1926. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
21. "M 6.2 – offshore Jalisco, Mexico". United States Geological Survey. May 11, 1926. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
22. "M 6.6 – Mindanao, Philippines". United States Geological Survey. May 20, 1926. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
23. "M 6.3 – Hokkaido, Japan region". United States Geological Survey. May 26, 1926. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
24. "M 6.4 – Vanuatu". United States Geological Survey. June 3, 1926. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
25. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. June 4, 1926. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
26. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. June 5, 1926. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
27. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. June 24, 1926. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
28. "M 6.9 – Dodecanese Islands, Greece". United States Geological Survey. June 26, 1926. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
29. "Significant Earthquake: GREECE: RHODES ISLAND; LOWER EGYPT". National Geophysical Data Center. June 26, 1926. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
30. "M 6.7 – northern Sumatra, Indonesia". United States Geological Survey. June 28, 1926. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
31. "Significant Earthquake: INDONESIA: SUMATERA". National Geophysical Data Center. June 28, 1926. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
32. "The Padang Panjang Earthquake Was Considered A Doom and a Sign of Doomsday, Mass Penance Thereafter". VOI – Waktunya Merevolusi Pemberitaan. Retrieved 2021-12-05.
33. "M 6.4 – southern Sumatra, Indonesia". United States Geological Survey. June 28, 1926. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
34. "M 6.8 – Ryukyu Islands, Japan". United States Geological Survey. June 29, 1926. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
35. "M 6.8 – southern Sumatra, Indonesia". United States Geological Survey. July 1, 1926. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
36. "Significant Earthquake: INDONESIA: SUMATRA". National Geophysical Data Center. July 5, 1926. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
37. "M 6.6 – Molucca Sea". United States Geological Survey. July 10, 1926. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
38. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. July 14, 1926. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
39. "M 6.3 – eastern New Guinea region, Papua New Guinea". United States Geological Survey. July 16, 1926. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
40. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. July 26, 1926. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
41. "M 6.5 – Solomon Islands". United States Geological Survey. July 28, 1926. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
42. "M 6.6 – Catanduanes, Philippines". United States Geological Survey. August 2, 1926. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
43. "M 6.5 – Taiwan region". United States Geological Survey. August 3, 1926. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
44. "M 6.7 – Ceram Sea, Indonesia". United States Geological Survey. August 3, 1926. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
45. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. August 3, 1926. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
46. "M 6.3 – Kashmir-Xinjiang border region". United States Geological Survey. August 6, 1926. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
47. "M 6.4 – Andreanof Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska". United States Geological Survey. August 9, 1926. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
48. "M 6.3 – Taiwan region". United States Geological Survey. August 9, 1926. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
49. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. August 12, 1926. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
50. "Significant Earthquake: ITALY: SALINA ISLAND". National Geophysical Data Center. August 17, 1926. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
51. "M 7.0 – southeast of the Loyalty Islands". United States Geological Survey. August 25, 1926. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
52. "M 6.3 – southern Greece". United States Geological Survey. August 30, 1926. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
53. "Significant Earthquake: AZORES: FAYAL ISLAND". National Geophysical Data Center. August 31, 1926. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
54. Nunes, João C. (2004). "SÍSMICA 2004/6th National Congress on Sismology and Seismic Engineering" (PDF). Catálogo Sísmico dos Açores. Braga, Portugal: University of Minho.
55. "M 7.0 – South Indian Ocean". United States Geological Survey. September 2, 1926. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
56. "M 6.4 – Hokkaido, Japan region". United States Geological Survey. September 4, 1926. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
57. "M 6.6 – eastern New Guinea region, Papua New Guinea". United States Geological Survey. September 7, 1926. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
58. "M 7.1 – south of Java, Indonesia". United States Geological Survey. September 10, 1926. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
59. "M 6.5 – Taiwan region". United States Geological Survey. September 12, 1926. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
60. "M 7.1 – Solomon Islands". United States Geological Survey. September 16, 1926. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
61. "Significant Earthquake: SOLOMON ISLANDS". National Geophysical Data Center. September 16, 1926. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
62. "Tsunami Event: SOLOMON ISLANDS". National Geophysical Data Center. September 16, 1926. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
63. "M 6.3 – off the east coast of Honshu, Japan". United States Geological Survey. October 3, 1926. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
64. "M 7.4 – north of Macquarie Island". United States Geological Survey. October 3, 1926. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
65. "M 6.9 – Andreanof Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska". United States Geological Survey. October 13, 1926. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
66. "M 6.7 – Andreanof Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska". United States Geological Survey. October 13, 1926. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
67. "M 7.0 – Andreanof Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska". United States Geological Survey. October 13, 1926. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
68. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. October 22, 1926. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
69. "M 6.3 – offshore Central California". United States Geological Survey. October 22, 1926. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
70. "Significant Earthquake: TURKEY; ARMENIA". National Geophysical Data Center. October 22, 1926. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
71. "M 7.6 – near the north coast of Papua, Indonesia". United States Geological Survey. October 26, 1926. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
72. "M 6.6 – near the north coast of Papua, Indonesia". United States Geological Survey. October 26, 1926. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
73. "M 6.3 – near the north coast of Papua, Indonesia". United States Geological Survey. October 26, 1926. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
74. "M 7.0 – Nicaragua". United States Geological Survey. November 5, 1926. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
75. "Significant Earthquake: NICARAGUA: MANAGUA,GRANADA,MASAYA,CHINANDEGA". National Geophysical Data Center. November 5, 1926. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
76. "Significant Earthquake: CHINA: YUNNAN PROVINCE". National Geophysical Data Center. November 22, 1926. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
77. "M 6.2 – Leyte, Philippines". United States Geological Survey. November 27, 1926. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
78. "Significant Earthquake: CHILE: VALLENAR". National Geophysical Data Center. December 9, 1926. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
79. "Significant Earthquake: INDONESIA: JAVA: PRUPUK,MARGARSARI,DUBUKTENGAH". National Geophysical Data Center. December 13, 1926. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
80. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. December 14, 1926. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
81. "Significant Earthquake: ALBANIA: DURRES". National Geophysical Data Center. December 17, 1926. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
82. "M 6.4 – New Guinea, Papua New Guinea". United States Geological Survey. December 25, 1926. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
83. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. December 25, 1926. Retrieved January 31, 2016.