Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1941
| |||
Strongest magnitude | Azores–Gibraltar transform fault, (Magnitude 8.0) November 25 | ||
---|---|---|---|
Deadliest | ![]() | ||
Total fatalities | 2,955 | ||
Number by magnitude | |||
9.0+ | 0 | ||
This is a list of earthquakes in 1941. 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. With 1,200 lives lost, Saudi Arabia experienced the heaviest death toll on January 11. Other deadly quakes occurred in Iran, Turkey, Taiwan, Burma, and China. There were 15 magnitude 7.0+ events altogether. The largest event was in the north Atlantic Ocean at the Azores–Gibraltar transform fault in November with a magnitude 8.0. Other large events struck India, Japan, and Mexico to name a few. Australia saw a couple of unusually large quakes this year.
Rank | Death toll | Magnitude | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1,200 | 6.2 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 35.0 | January 11 |
2 | 730 | 6.3 | ![]() | ( ) | 15.0 | February 16 |
3 | 430 | 6.0 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 35.0 | September 10 |
4 | 319 | 7.3 | ![]() | ( ) | 15.0 | December 16 |
5 | 132 | 6.0 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 35.0 | May 5 |
6 | 51 | 7.2 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 10.0 | December 26 |
7 | 50 | 6.9 | ![]() | IX (Violent) | 25.0 | May 16 |
= 8 | 15 | 6.0 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 0.0 | October 8 |
= 8 | 15 | 5.9 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 70.0 | November 12 |
Rank | Magnitude | Death toll | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 8.0 | 0 | Azores–Gibraltar Transform Fault | IX (Violent) | 10.0 | November 25 |
2 | 7.9 | 2 | ![]() | ( ) | 35.0 | November 18 |
= 3 | 7.6 | 0 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 30.0 | April 15 |
= 3 | 7.6 | 1 | ![]() | ( ) | 20.0 | June 26 |
= 4 | 7.4 | 4 | ![]() | ( ) | 15.0 | January 13 |
= 4 | 7.4 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 35.0 | May 17 |
= 4 | 7.4 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 35.0 | November 8 |
= 5 | 7.3 | 6 | ![]() | IV (Light) | 20.0 | December 5 |
= 5 | 7.3 | 319 | ![]() | ( ) | 15.0 | December 16 |
= 6 | 7.2 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 200.0 | April 3 |
= 6 | 7.2 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 35.0 | August 2 |
= 6 | 7.2 | 51 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 10.0 | December 26 |
7 | 7.1 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 35.0 | November 15 |
= 8 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 15.0 | November 5 |
= 8 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 15.0 | December 6 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.4 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.2 Mw ![]() 1,200 deaths |
Total fatalities | 1,204 |
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 [1] | ![]() | 6.2 | 500.0 | ||||
4 [2] | ![]() | 6.0 | 50.0 | ||||
5 [3] | ![]() | 6.7 | 25.0 | ||||
6 [4] | ![]() | 6.0 | 60.0 | ||||
7 [5] | ![]() | 6.0 | 220.0 | ||||
11 [6] [7] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | VIII | 1,200 people were killed and a further 200 were injured. 700 homes were destroyed and another 1,000 were damaged in the 1941 Jabal Razih earthquake . | 1,200 | 200 |
12 [8] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | Aftershock. | |||
13 [9] [10] | ![]() | 7.4 | 15.0 | 4 deaths were caused. 1 home was destroyed and many sustained damage. | 4 | ||
20 [11] | ![]() | 6.5 | 100.0 | ||||
21 [12] | ![]() | 6.6 | 15.0 | ||||
24 [13] | ![]() | 6.5 | 120.0 | ||||
25 [14] | ![]() | 6.5 | 370.0 | ||||
27 [15] | ![]() | 6.5 | 180.0 | ||||
31 [16] | ![]() | 6.6 | 100.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.9 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.3 Mw ![]() 730 deaths |
Total fatalities | 730 |
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 | ||||||
4 [17] | ![]() | 6.9 | 605.0 | ||||
8 [18] | ![]() | 6.5 | 35.0 | ||||
9 [19] [20] | ![]() | 6.8 | 15.0 | VI | Some damage was caused. | ||
9 [21] | ![]() | 6.5 | 35.0 | ||||
11 [22] | ![]() | 6.6 | 15.0 | ||||
16 [23] [24] | ![]() | 6.3 | 15.0 | 730 people were killed and major damage was caused. | 730 | ||
23 [25] | ![]() | 6.2 | 170.0 | ||||
25 [26] | ![]() | 6.7 | 180.0 | ||||
27 [27] | ![]() | 6.6 | 50.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.5 Mw 2 events |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 6 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [28] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
11 [29] | ![]() | 6.0 | 210.0 | ||||
14 [30] | ![]() | 6.0 | 550.0 | ||||
15 [31] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
16 [32] | ![]() | 6.5 | 25.0 | ||||
16 [33] | ![]() | 6.5 | 100.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.6 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 7 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [34] | ![]() | 6.5 | 15.0 | ||||
3 [35] | ![]() | 6.5 | 260.0 | Foreshock. | |||
3 [36] | ![]() | 7.2 | 200.0 | ||||
7 [37] | ![]() | 6.8 | 15.0 | ||||
15 [38] [39] | ![]() | 7.6 | 30.0 | VII | 1941 Colima earthquake. | ||
18 [40] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
19 [41] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
20 [42] | ![]() | 6.5 | 20.0 | ||||
29 [43] | ![]() | 6.3 | 15.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.4 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.0 Mw ![]() 132 deaths |
Total fatalities | 182 |
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 | ||||||
2 [44] | ![]() | 6.5 | 80.0 | ||||
5 [45] [46] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | VIII | 132 people were killed and 203 were injured. 6,321 homes were destroyed. | 132 | 203 |
6 [47] | ![]() | 6.0 | 60.0 | ||||
7 [48] | ![]() | 6.6 | 160.0 | ||||
8 [49] | ![]() | 6.7 | 580.0 | ||||
9 [50] | ![]() | 6.8 | 15.0 | ||||
15 [51] | ![]() | 6.0 | 230.0 | ||||
16 [52] [53] | ![]() | 6.9 | 25.0 | IX | Dozens of people (likely no more than 50) were killed and many homes were destroyed. | 50 | |
17 [54] | ![]() | 7.4 | 35.0 | ||||
23 [55] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
24 [56] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.6 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.6 Mw ![]() 1+ deaths |
Total fatalities | 1+ |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 7 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
11 [57] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
16 [58] | ![]() | 6.5 | 100.0 | ||||
18 [59] | ![]() | 6.5 | 35.0 | ||||
18 [60] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | Aftershock. | |||
23 [61] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
26 [62] [63] [64] | ![]() | 7.6 | 20.0 | The 1941 Andaman Islands earthquake caused at least 1 death and 1 injury. Major property damage was caused. A tsunami was generated in the area. | 1+ | 1+ | |
27 [65] | ![]() | 6.3 | 15.0 | ||||
27 [66] | ![]() | 6.2 | 220.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.4 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
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 | ||||||
3 [67] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
10 [68] | ![]() | 6.0 | 120.0 | ||||
12 [69] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | Aftershock. | |||
15 [70] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
19 [71] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
23 [72] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
30 [73] [74] | ![]() | 6.4 | 35.0 | VI |
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 | 6 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
2 [75] | ![]() | 7.2 | 35.0 | ||||
4 [76] | ![]() | 6.8 | 90.0 | ||||
6 [77] | ![]() | 6.8 | 150.0 | ||||
7 [78] | ![]() | 0.0 | 0.0 | Minor damage was reported. The magnitude and depth were unknown. | |||
9 [79] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
14 [80] | ![]() | 6.0 | 180.0 | ||||
30 [81] | ![]() | 6.5 | 35.0 | rowspan="2"| Doublet earthquake. | |||
30 [82] | ![]() | 6.6 | 35.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.9 Mw 2 events |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.0 Mw ![]() 430 deaths |
Total fatalities | 430 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 11 |
5.0–5.9 | 1 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
4 [83] | ![]() | 6.7 | 30.0 | ||||
9 [84] | ![]() | 6.6 | 15.0 | ||||
10 [85] [86] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | VIII | The 1941 Van-Ercis earthquake caused 430 deaths. | 430 | |
12 [87] | ![]() | 6.6 | 25.0 | ||||
14 [88] [89] | ![]() | 5.6 | 6.0 | VII | |||
16 [90] | ![]() | 6.9 | 70.0 | ||||
17 [91] | ![]() | 6.9 | 205.0 | ||||
18 [92] | ![]() | 6.4 | 60.0 | ||||
24 [93] | ![]() | 6.5 | 15.0 | ||||
25 [94] [95] | ![]() | 6.0 | 0.0 | VII | Depth unknown. | ||
28 [96] | ![]() | 6.5 | 100.0 | ||||
29 [97] | ![]() | 6.5 | 60.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.4 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.0 Mw ![]() 15 deaths |
Total fatalities | 15 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 3 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
3 [98] [99] | ![]() | 6.4 | 10.0 | VI | |||
8 [100] | ![]() | 6.0 | 0.0 | VIII | 15 people were killed and a further 10 were injured. 70 homes were destroyed. | 15 | 10 |
15 [101] | ![]() | 6.0 | 110.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 8.0 Mw Azores-Gibraltar Transform Fault |
---|---|
Deadliest | 5.9 Mw ![]() 15 deaths |
Total fatalities | 17 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 1 |
7.0–7.9 | 4 |
6.0–6.9 | 4 |
5.0–5.9 | 1 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
5 [102] | ![]() | 7.0 | 15.0 | ||||
6 [103] | ![]() | 6.3 | 25.0 | ||||
8 [104] | ![]() | 7.4 | 35.0 | ||||
10 [105] | ![]() | 6.2 | 200.0 | ||||
12 [106] | ![]() | 5.9 | 70.0 | VIII | 15 people were killed. | 15 | |
15 [107] | ![]() | 7.1 | 35.0 | ||||
18 [108] [109] [110] | ![]() | 7.9 | 35.0 | The 1941 Hyūga-nada earthquake caused some damage. A tsunami struck the area causing 2 deaths and the destruction of 27 homes. | 2 | ||
24 [111] | ![]() | 6.6 | 35.0 | ||||
25 [112] [113] | Azores-Gibraltar Transform Fault | 8.0 | 10.0 | IX | 1941 Gloria Fault earthquake. | ||
27 [114] | ![]() | 6.6 | 515.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.3 Mw 2 events |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.3 Mw ![]() 319 deaths |
Total fatalities | 376 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 4 |
6.0–6.9 | 3 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
5 [115] [116] | ![]() | 7.3 | 20.0 | IV | 6 people were killed and at least 101 were injured. Many homes were destroyed. | 6 | 101+ |
6 [117] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | Aftershock. | |||
6 [118] | ![]() | 7.0 | 15.0 | Aftershock. | |||
9 [119] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
13 [120] | ![]() | 6.0 | 100.0 | ||||
16 [121] [122] | ![]() | 7.3 | 15.0 | 319 people were killed in the 1941 Chungpu earthquake. 1,768 homes were destroyed. | 319 | ||
26 [123] [124] | ![]() | 7.2 | 10.0 | VIII | At least 51 people were killed and some homes collapsed. | 51+ |