Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1934
| |||
Strongest magnitude | ![]() | ||
---|---|---|---|
Deadliest | ![]() | ||
Total fatalities | 12,007 | ||
Number by magnitude | |||
9.0+ | 0 | ||
This is a list of earthquakes in 1934. 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. The largest and deadliest event was the great earthquake which struck Nepal in January. In that magnitude 8.0 quake, 12,000 people died. Other parts of the world saw much activity with the Philippines, the Solomon Islands, Dutch East Indies and New Guinea seeing much instability. Apart from the devastating Nepal earthquake, no other event caused more than 10 deaths which is unusual for any year.
Rank | Death toll | Magnitude | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 12,000 | 8.0 | ![]() | XI (Extreme) | 15.0 | January 15 |
Rank | Magnitude | Death toll | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 8.0 | 12,000 | ![]() | XI (Extreme) | 15.0 | January 15 |
2 | 7.7 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 10.0 | July 18 |
= 3 | 7.5 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 15.0 | February 14 |
= 3 | 7.5 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 35.0 | February 24 |
= 3 | 7.5 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 30.0 | July 18 |
= 4 | 7.3 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 15.0 | July 21 |
= 4 | 7.3 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 540.0 | October 10 |
= 5 | 7.2 | 2 | ![]() | ( ) | 35.0 | March 5 |
= 5 | 7.2 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 35.0 | December 15 |
= 6 | 7.1 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 35.0 | February 28 |
= 6 | 7.1 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 35.0 | April 15 |
= 6 | 7.1 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 15.0 | November 30 |
= 7 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 15.0 | March 24 |
= 7 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 130.0 | May 1 |
Strongest magnitude | 8.0 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 8.0 Mw ![]() 10,600 deaths |
Total fatalities | 10,602 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 1 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 11 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [1] | ![]() | 6.5 | 60.0 | ||||
3 [2] | ![]() | 6.9 | 350.0 | ||||
9 [3] | ![]() | 6.0 | 630.0 | ||||
12 [4] [5] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | VIII | 1 person died and another 14 were injured. Many homes were destroyed. | 1 | 14 |
15 [6] [7] | ![]() | 8.0 | 15.0 | XI | Major destruction was caused by the 1934 Nepal-Bihar earthquake. 10,600 deaths were reported. Many homes were destroyed. This was one of the worst disasters in Nepalese history. | 10,600 | |
16 [8] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
18 [9] | ![]() | 6.5 | 580.0 | ||||
19 [10] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
20 [11] [12] | ![]() | 6.3 | 15.0 | VIII | 1 person died and many homes were destroyed. | 1 | |
28 [13] | ![]() | 6.8 | 30.0 | ||||
30 [14] | ![]() | 6.5 | 0.0 | Depth unknown. | |||
31 [15] | ![]() | 6.5 | 25.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.5 Mw 2 events |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 3 |
6.0–6.9 | 13 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
2 [16] | ![]() | 6.3 | 15.0 | ||||
3 [17] | ![]() | 6.7 | 35.0 | ||||
4 [18] | ![]() | 6.5 | 570.0 | ||||
4 [19] | ![]() | 6.5 | 15.0 | ||||
4 [20] | ![]() | 6.3 | 25.0 | ||||
9 [21] | ![]() | 6.4 | 15.0 | Different location to event from a few days earlier in New Guinea. | |||
9 [22] | ![]() | 6.5 | 230.0 | ||||
11 [23] | ![]() | 6.5 | 80.0 | ||||
12 [24] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
14 [25] | ![]() | 6.2 | 100.0 | ||||
14 [26] [27] | ![]() | 7.5 | 15.0 | Some damage was caused. | |||
19 [28] | ![]() | 6.3 | 27.5 | ||||
24 [29] | ![]() | 6.0 | 200.0 | ||||
24 [30] | ![]() | 7.5 | 35.0 | ||||
27 [31] | ![]() | 6.5 | 180.0 | ||||
28 [32] | ![]() | 7.1 | 15.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.2 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.6 Mw ![]() 2 deaths |
Total fatalities | 2 |
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 | ||||||
1 [33] | ![]() | 6.3 | 20.0 | ||||
1 [34] | ![]() | 6.6 | 15.0 | ||||
5 [35] | ![]() | 7.2 | 35.0 | ||||
7 [36] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
12 [37] [38] | ![]() | 6.6 | 0.0 | VIII | 2 | ||
13 [39] | ![]() | 6.6 | 15.0 | ||||
15 [40] | ![]() | 6.3 | 25.0 | ||||
16 [41] | ![]() | 6.8 | 35.0 | ||||
18 [42] | ![]() | 6.8 | 100.0 | ||||
20 [43] | ![]() | 6.6 | 15.0 | ||||
24 [44] | ![]() | 7.0 | 15.0 | ||||
29 [45] | ![]() | 6.2 | 150.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.1 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 13 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
2 [46] | ![]() | 6.0 | 50.0 | ||||
3 [47] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
10 [48] | ![]() | 6.4 | 20.0 | ||||
11 [49] | ![]() | 6.8 | 150.0 | ||||
11 [50] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | Aftershock. | |||
15 [51] | ![]() | 6.5 | 70.0 | ||||
15 [52] | ![]() | 7.1 | 35.0 | ||||
16 [53] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | Aftershock. | |||
16 [54] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
19 [55] | ![]() | 6.5 | 430.0 | ||||
24 [56] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
26 [57] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
26 [58] | ![]() | 6.5 | 35.0 | ||||
28 [59] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 |
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 | 5 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [60] | ![]() | 7.0 | 130.0 | ||||
4 [61] | ![]() | 6.9 | 25.0 | ||||
13 [62] | ![]() | 6.4 | 35.0 | ||||
14 [63] | ![]() | 6.5 | 60.0 | ||||
19 [64] | ![]() | 6.2 | 120.0 | ||||
30 [65] | ![]() | 6.0 | 70.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.9 Mw 3 events |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 16 |
5.0–5.9 | 1 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.7 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 3 |
6.0–6.9 | 11 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
6 [85] | ![]() | 6.7 | 15.0 | ||||
18 [86] [87] | ![]() | 7.5 | 30.0 | 4 people were injured and some damage was caused. Costs were $50,000 (1934 rate). | 4 | ||
18 [88] | ![]() | 6.6 | 20.0 | Aftershock. | |||
18 [89] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | Aftershock. | |||
18 [90] | ![]() | 6.8 | 25.0 | Aftershock. | |||
18 [91] | ![]() | 6.8 | 25.0 | Aftershock. | |||
18 [92] | ![]() | 7.7 | 10.0 | ||||
19 [93] | ![]() | 6.9 | 15.0 | ||||
19 [94] | ![]() | 6.9 | 15.0 | ||||
21 [95] | ![]() | 7.3 | 15.0 | Aftershock. | |||
21 [96] | ![]() | 6.7 | 25.0 | Aftershock. | |||
27 [97] | ![]() | 6.2 | 50.0 | ||||
28 [98] | ![]() | 6.7 | 20.0 | ||||
31 [99] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.9 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.3 Mw ![]() 3 deaths |
Total fatalities | 3 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 10 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
2 [100] | ![]() | 6.4 | 35.0 | ||||
2 [101] | ![]() | 6.0 | 0.0 | Depth unknown. | |||
6 [102] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
7 [103] | ![]() | 6.8 | 15.0 | ||||
11 [104] [105] | ![]() | 6.3 | 10.0 | 3 people were killed and 6 homes were destroyed. | 3 | ||
11 [106] | ![]() | 6.3 | 35.0 | ||||
12 [107] | ![]() | 6.9 | 35.0 | ||||
21 [108] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
31 [109] | ![]() | 6.3 | 15.0 | ||||
31 [110] | ![]() | 6.5 | 15.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.5 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 | ||||||
6 [111] | ![]() | 6.0 | 150.0 | ||||
11 [112] | ![]() | 6.2 | 130.0 | ||||
15 [113] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
21 [114] | ![]() | 6.2 | 100.0 | ||||
25 [115] | ![]() | 6.5 | 100.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.3 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
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 | ||||||
5 [116] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
10 [117] | ![]() | 7.3 | 540.0 | ||||
18 [118] | ![]() | 6.5 | 35.0 | ||||
21 [119] | ![]() | 6.5 | 210.0 | ||||
26 [120] | ![]() | 6.8 | 550.0 | ||||
26 [121] | ![]() | 6.5 | 20.0 | ||||
29 [122] | ![]() | 6.2 | 110.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.1 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 10 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
4 [123] | ![]() | 6.6 | 15.0 | ||||
4 [124] | ![]() | 6.5 | 15.0 | ||||
5 [125] | ![]() | 6.5 | 0.0 | Depth unknown. | |||
9 [126] | ![]() | 6.2 | 140.0 | ||||
12 [127] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
16 [128] | ![]() | 6.5 | 15.0 | ||||
18 [129] | ![]() | 6.5 | 220.0 | ||||
18 [130] | ![]() | 6.5 | 35.0 | ||||
26 [131] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
27 [132] | ![]() | 6.4 | 15.0 | ||||
30 [133] [134] | ![]() | 7.1 | 15.0 | Major damage was caused. |
Strongest magnitude | 7.2 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 10 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
3 [135] [136] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | Some damage was reported. | |||
4 [137] [138] | ![]() | 6.5 | 35.0 | At least 51 people were hurt and many homes were destroyed. | 51+ | ||
12 [139] | ![]() | 6.5 | 600.0 | ||||
15 [140] | ![]() | 7.2 | 15.0 | ||||
15 [141] | ![]() | 6.9 | 540.0 | ||||
16 [142] | ![]() | 6.0 | 150.0 | ||||
17 [143] | ![]() | 6.4 | 15.0 | ||||
22 [144] | ![]() | 6.5 | 25.0 | ||||
23 [145] | ![]() | 6.5 | 100.0 | ||||
30 [146] [147] | ![]() | 6.3 | 6.0 | rowspan="2"| This was an example of a doublet earthquake. | |||
31 [148] | ![]() | 6.9 | 10.0 | X |