Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1931
| |||
Strongest magnitude | Two events reached magnitude 7.9. | ||
---|---|---|---|
Deadliest | ![]() | ||
Total fatalities | 15,920 | ||
Number by magnitude | |||
9.0+ | 0 | ||
This is a list of earthquakes in 1931. Only magnitude 6.0 or greater earthquakes appear on the list. Lower magnitude events are included if they have caused deaths, 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. In a stark contrast to 1930, many large and destructive earthquakes occurred during 1931. The largest and deadliest event was the magnitude 7.9 earthquake which caused major devastation to China in August. New Zealand saw its worst natural disaster in February. Iran and Nicaragua had many deaths from earthquakes in the first half of the year. Other interesting events happened in Texas and the United Kingdom with the largest quakes for these areas hitting this year.
Rank | Death toll | Magnitude | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 10,000 | 7.9 | ![]() | XI (Extreme) | 10.0 | August 10 |
2 | 2,890 | 6.5 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 15.0 | April 27 |
3 | 2,450 | 5.6 | ![]() | VI (Strong) | 0.0 | March 31 |
4 | 256 | 7.4 | ![]() | IX (Violent) | 35.0 | February 2 |
5 | 114 | 7.6 | ![]() | X (Extreme) | 35.0 | January 15 |
6 | 90 | 5.8 | ![]() | IX (Violent) | 33.0 | January 28 |
7 | 50 | 7.9 | ![]() | ( ) | 15.0 | October 3 |
8 | 16 | 6.5 | ![]() | ( ) | 15.0 | September 21 |
Rank | Magnitude | Death toll | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
= 1 | 7.9 | 10,000 | ![]() | XI (Extreme) | 10.0 | August 10 |
= 1 | 7.9 | 50 | ![]() | ( ) | 15.0 | October 3 |
2 | 7.8 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 35.0 | March 9 |
3 | 7.7 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 15.0 | October 10 |
= 4 | 7.6 | 114 | ![]() | X (Extreme) | 35.0 | January 15 |
= 4 | 7.6 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 15.0 | January 27 |
5 | 7.5 | 1 | ![]() | ( ) | 35.0 | November 2 |
= 6 | 7.4 | 256 | ![]() | IX (Violent) | 35.0 | February 2 |
= 6 | 7.4 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 356.7 | February 20 |
= 6 | 7.4 | 0 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 35.0 | September 25 |
= 7 | 7.3 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 45.0 | February 13 |
= 7 | 7.3 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 100.0 | March 28 |
= 8 | 7.2 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 15.0 | January 28 |
= 8 | 7.2 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 35.0 | March 18 |
= 8 | 7.2 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 10.0 | August 27 |
= 9 | 7.1 | 0 | north Atlantic Ocean | ( ) | 10.0 | May 20 |
= 9 | 7.1 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 10.0 | August 18 |
= 9 | 7.1 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 167.8 | September 9 |
= 10 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 35.0 | February 10 |
= 10 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 35.0 | August 7 |
= 10 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 15.0 | October 3 |
= 10 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 15.0 | October 3 |
= 10 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 15.0 | October 3 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.6 Mw 2 events |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.6 Mw ![]() 114 deaths |
Total fatalities | 204 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 3 |
6.0–6.9 | 13 |
5.0–5.9 | 1 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [1] | ![]() | 6.4 | 15.0 | ||||
2 [2] | ![]() | 6.7 | 20.0 | ||||
9 [3] | ![]() | 6.0 | 140.0 | ||||
12 [4] | ![]() | 6.5 | 35.0 | ||||
15 [5] [6] | ![]() | 7.6 | 35.0 | X | The 1931 Oaxaca earthquake killing 114 people causing severe damage. | 114 | |
15 [7] | ![]() | 6.8 | 200.0 | ||||
15 [8] | ![]() | 6.5 | 15.0 | ||||
16 [9] | ![]() | 6.3 | 30.0 | Aftershock. | |||
17 [10] | ![]() | 6.7 | 10.0 | ||||
19 [11] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
20 [12] | ![]() | 6.5 | 220.0 | ||||
20 [13] | ![]() | 6.2 | 190.0 | ||||
21 [14] | ![]() | 6.2 | 120.0 | ||||
24 [15] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
27 [16] | ![]() | 7.6 | 15.0 | 1931 Myitkyina earthquake. | |||
28 [17] | ![]() | 5.8 | 33.0 | IX | 90 people were killed and some damage was caused. | 90 | |
28 [18] | ![]() | 7.2 | 15.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.4 Mw 2 events |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.4 Mw ![]() 256 deaths |
Total fatalities | 256 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 4 |
6.0–6.9 | 8 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
2 [19] [20] [21] | ![]() | 7.4 | 35.0 | IX | The 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake caused 256 deaths. 2 people were missing. Thousands of people were injured. Property damage costs were estimated at $900 million (2010 rates). This is currently the deadliest natural disaster to strike New Zealand as of 2019. Many aftershocks followed. | 256 | 1,000+ |
8 [22] | ![]() | 6.4 | 15.0 | Aftershock. | |||
10 [23] | ![]() | 7.0 | 35.0 | ||||
12 [24] | ![]() | 6.4 | 35.0 | Aftershock. | |||
13 [25] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
13 [26] | ![]() | 7.3 | 45.0 | Doublet earthquake with previous event on February 2. | |||
14 [27] | ![]() | 6.6 | 15.0 | Aftershock. | |||
16 [28] | ![]() | 6.3 | 25.0 | ||||
19 [29] | ![]() | 6.5 | 35.0 | Aftershock. | |||
20 [30] | ![]() | 7.4 | 365.0 | ||||
22 [31] | ![]() | 6.0 | 100.0 | ||||
27 [32] | ![]() | 6.5 | 35.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.8 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 5.6 Mw ![]() 2,450 deaths |
Total fatalities | 2,450 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 3 |
6.0–6.9 | 11 |
5.0–5.9 | 1 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [33] | ![]() | 6.5 | 330.0 | ||||
2 [34] | ![]() | 6.7 | 70.0 | ||||
5 [35] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
7 [36] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
7 [37] | ![]() | 6.0 | 80.0 | ||||
8 [38] [39] | ![]() | 6.6 | 10.0 | X | |||
9 [40] | ![]() | 7.8 | 35.0 | ||||
11 [41] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
11 [42] | ![]() | 6.7 | 35.0 | ||||
18 [43] | ![]() | 7.2 | 35.0 | ||||
18 [44] | ![]() | 6.7 | 35.0 | ||||
19 [45] [46] | ![]() | 6.7 | 15.0 | IX | Some damage was reported. | ||
28 [47] | ![]() | 7.3 | 100.0 | ||||
29 [48] | ![]() | 6.8 | 80.0 | ||||
31 [49] | ![]() | 5.6 | 0.0 | The 1931 Nicaragua earthquake caused major destruction in the area. 2,450 deaths were reported. Property damage costs were $15 million (1931 rate). | 2,450 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.8 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.5 Mw ![]() 2,890 deaths |
Total fatalities | 2,890 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 9 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
2 [50] | ![]() | 6.0 | 130.0 | ||||
3 [51] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
3 [52] | ![]() | 6.2 | 180.0 | ||||
3 [53] | ![]() | 6.8 | 630.0 | ||||
6 [54] | ![]() | 6.5 | 35.0 | ||||
8 [55] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
9 [56] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
24 [57] | ![]() | 6.7 | 15.0 | ||||
27 [58] [59] | ![]() | 6.5 | 15.0 | VIII | The 1931 Zangezur earthquake caused major damage. 2,890 deaths were reported. | 2,890 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.1 Mw north Atlantic Ocean |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 6 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [60] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
12 [61] | ![]() | 6.5 | 50.0 | ||||
16 [62] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
20 [63] | north Atlantic Ocean | 7.1 | 10.0 | ||||
20 [64] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
24 [65] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
28 [66] | ![]() | 6.5 | 120.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.5 Mw 4 events |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 11 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [67] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
2 [68] | ![]() | 6.5 | 260.0 | ||||
4 [69] | ![]() | 6.5 | 150.0 | ||||
7 [70] [71] | ![]() | 6.1 | 23.0 | VIII | The 1931 Dogger Bank earthquake was one of the strongest recorded in the United Kingdom. Some damage was reported. | ||
9 [72] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
15 [73] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
17 [74] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
17 [75] | ![]() | 6.5 | 140.0 | ||||
23 [76] | ![]() | 6.4 | 25.0 | ||||
29 [77] | ![]() | 6.5 | 380.0 | ||||
29 [78] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.8 Mw 2 events |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 9 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
11 [79] | ![]() | 6.2 | 120.0 | ||||
12 [80] | ![]() | 6.5 | 15.0 | ||||
15 [81] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
17 [82] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
18 [83] | ![]() | 6.8 | 110.0 | ||||
18 [84] | ![]() | 6.3 | 15.0 | ||||
20 [85] | ![]() | 6.5 | 80.0 | ||||
21 [86] | ![]() | 6.2 | 55.0 | ||||
23 [87] | ![]() | 6.8 | 400.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.9 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.9 Mw ![]() 10,000 deaths |
Total fatalities | 10,000 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 4 |
6.0–6.9 | 5 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
2 [88] | ![]() | 6.5 | 400.0 | ||||
6 [89] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
7 [90] | ![]() | 7.0 | 35.0 | ||||
10 [91] [92] | ![]() | 7.9 | 10.0 | XI | 10,000 people died in the 1931 Fuyun earthquake. Countless homes were destroyed in the area. | 10,000 | |
15 [93] | ![]() | 6.0 | 240.0 | ||||
16 [94] | ![]() | 6.5 | 10.0 | The 1931 Valentine earthquake is the largest in Texas history. | |||
18 [95] | ![]() | 7.1 | 10.0 | Aftershock. | |||
24 [96] | ![]() | 6.8 | 10.0 | Foreshock. | |||
27 [97] [98] | ![]() | 7.2 | 10.0 | Major damage was caused. |
Strongest magnitude | 7.4 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.5 Mw ![]() 16 deaths |
Total fatalities | 16 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 10 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
8 [99] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
9 [100] | ![]() | 7.1 | 167.5 | ||||
12 [101] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
12 [102] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
16 [103] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
21 [104] [105] | ![]() | 6.5 | 15.0 | 16 people were killed and some damage was reported. | 16 | ||
21 [106] | South China Sea | 6.7 | 25.0 | ||||
21 [107] | ![]() | 6.8 | 90.0 | ||||
25 [108] [109] | ![]() | 7.4 | 35.0 | VIII | Some damage was caused by the 1931 Southwest Sumatra earthquake. | ||
25 [110] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | Aftershock. | |||
26 [111] | ![]() | 6.0 | 60.0 | ||||
29 [112] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.9 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.9 Mw ![]() 50 deaths |
Total fatalities | 50 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 5 |
6.0–6.9 | 10 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [113] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
3 [114] [115] [116] | ![]() | 7.9 | 15.0 | The earthquake caused some damage however a destructive tsunami was triggered. The waves resulted in 50 deaths and many homes being destroyed. Several strong aftershocks followed. | 50 | ||
3 [117] | ![]() | 7.0 | 15.0 | Aftershock. | |||
3 [118] | ![]() | 7.0 | 15.0 | Aftershock. | |||
3 [119] | ![]() | 7.0 | 15.0 | Aftershock. | |||
5 [120] | ![]() | 6.8 | 200.0 | ||||
10 [121] | ![]() | 7.7 | 15.0 | This was to the north of the October 3 event. | |||
10 [122] | ![]() | 6.8 | 35.0 | Aftershock. | |||
10 [123] | ![]() | 6.8 | 15.0 | Aftershock. | |||
10 [124] | ![]() | 6.8 | 15.0 | Aftershock. | |||
10 [125] | ![]() | 6.4 | 35.0 | ||||
12 [126] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
18 [127] | ![]() | 6.8 | 485.0 | ||||
28 [128] | ![]() | 6.2 | 25.0 | ||||
29 [129] | ![]() | 6.5 | 520.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.5 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.5 Mw ![]() 1 death |
Total fatalities | 1 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 6 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [130] | ![]() | 6.5 | 35.0 | Foreshock. | |||
2 [131] | ![]() | 6.6 | 35.0 | ||||
2 [132] [133] | ![]() | 7.5 | 35.0 | 1 person died and 14 homes were destroyed. | 1 | ||
2 [134] | ![]() | 6.5 | 15.0 | ||||
3 [135] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
5 [136] | ![]() | 6.4 | 10.0 | ||||
20 [137] | ![]() | 6.7 | 15.0 |