Strongest magnitude | Empire of Japan, off the south coast of Honshu (Magnitude 8.1) December 7 |
---|---|
Deadliest | Argentina, San Juan Province, Argentina (Magnitude 7.0) January 15 8,000 deaths |
Total fatalities | 11,637 |
Number by magnitude | |
9.0+ | 0 |
This is a list of earthquakes in 1944. 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. Activity was spread across the world during this year. The southwest Pacific Islands saw a good proportion of the earthquakes. Japan had the largest event of the year in December. Argentina and Turkey had the bulk of the deaths. The quake in Argentina in January was the worst in the country's history. New York State had its largest recorded earthquake in September causing some damage.
Rank | Death toll | Magnitude | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 8,000 | 7.0 | Argentina, San Juan Province, Argentina | VII (Very strong) | 15.0 | January 15 |
2 | 2,381 | 7.6 | Turkey, Cankiri Province | X (Extreme) | 30.0 | February 1 |
3 | 1,223 | 8.1 | Empire of Japan, off the south coast of Honshu | VIII (Severe) | 15.0 | December 7 |
4 | 30 | 6.8 | Turkey, off the west coast of Balıkesir Province | IX (Violent) | 15.0 | October 6 |
Rank | Magnitude | Death toll | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 8.1 | 1,223 | Empire of Japan, off the south coast of Honshu | VIII (Severe) | 15.0 | December 7 |
= 2 | 7.6 | 2,381 | Turkey, Cankiri Province | X (Extreme) | 30.0 | February 1 |
= 2 | 7.6 | 0 | Empire of Japan, West Papua (province), Dutch East Indies | VII (Very strong) | 15.0 | April 27 |
3 | 7.5 | 0 | Empire of Japan, Lembata, Dutch East Indies | ( ) | 156.6 | March 22 |
4 | 7.3 | 0 | Fiji | ( ) | 632.7 | May 25 |
= 5 | 7.2 | 0 | Soviet Union, eastern Kamchatka Krai, Russia | VII (Very strong) | 35.0 | September 23 |
= 5 | 7.2 | 0 | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | VI (Strong) | 165.0 | November 24 |
= 6 | 7.1 | 0 | Australia, East Sepik Province, New Guinea | ( ) | 114.4 | January 7 |
= 6 | 7.1 | 0 | , southeast of Maldives | ( ) | 15.0 | February 29 |
= 6 | 7.1 | 3 | Republic of China (1912-1949), northern Xinjiang Province | VIII (Severe) | 10.0 | March 9 |
= 6 | 7.1 | 0 | Australia, north of New Ireland (island), New Guinea | VI (Strong) | 15.0 | May 25 |
= 6 | 7.1 | 0 | United States, Fox Islands, Alaska | ( ) | 70.0 | July 27 |
= 6 | 7.1 | 0 | Empire of Japan, Santa Cruz Islands, Solomon Islands | VI (Strong) | 35.0 | November 16 |
= 7 | 7.0 | 8,000 | Argentina San Juan Province, Argentina | VII (Very strong) | 15.0 | January 15 |
= 7 | 7.0 | 0 | Peru, Puno Region | ( ) | 183.1 | February 29 |
= 7 | 7.0 | 0 | Mexico, off the coast of Chiapas | VI (Strong) | 25.0 | June 28 |
= 7 | 7.0 | 0 | Empire of Japan, Hokkaido | ( ) | 75.0 | October 2 |
= 7 | 7.0 | 0 | France, southeast of Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia | ( ) | 120.0 | October 5 |
= 7 | 7.0 | 0 | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | ( ) | 180.0 | November 29 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.1 Mw Australia |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.0 Mw Argentina 8,000 deaths |
Total fatalities | 8,000 |
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 | ||||||
5 [1] [2] | Empire of Japan, southern Sumatra, Dutch East Indies | 6.6 | 45.0 | VI | |||
7 [3] | Australia, East Sepik Province, New Guinea | 7.1 | 114.4 | ||||
10 [4] [5] | Mexico, Guerrero | 6.6 | 15.0 | VII | |||
15 [6] [7] [8] | Argentina, San Juan Province, Argentina | 7.0 | 15.0 | VII | The 1944 San Juan earthquake was the deadliest in Argentine history. 8,000 people were killed. Damage costs were $100 million (1944 rate). | 8,000 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.6 Mw Turkey |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.6 Mw Turkey 2,381 deaths |
Total fatalities | 2,381 |
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 | ||||||
1 [9] [10] [11] | Turkey, Cankiri Province | 7.6 | 30.0 | X | 2,381 people were killed and major damage was caused by the 1944 Bolu-Gerede earthquake. | 2,381 | |
1 [12] | Empire of Japan, off the south coast of Hokkaido | 6.6 | 160.0 | ||||
3 [13] | Canada, Yukon Territory | 6.5 | 35.0 | ||||
5 [14] [15] | Empire of Japan, Hualien County, Taiwan | 6.5 | 20.0 | VI | |||
29 [16] | Peru, Puno Region | 7.0 | 183.1 | ||||
29 [17] | , southeast of Maldives | 7.1 | 15.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.5 Mw Empire of Japan |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.1 Mw Republic of China (1912-1949) 3 deaths |
Total fatalities | 3 |
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 | ||||||
9 [18] [19] | Republic of China (1912-1949), northern Xinjiang Province | 6.9 | 10.0 | rowspan="2"| Doublet earthquake. 3 people were killed and some homes collapsed. | |||
9 [20] [21] [22] | Republic of China (1912-1949), northern Xinjiang Province | 7.1 | 10.0 | VIII | 3 | ||
22 [23] | Empire of Japan, Lembata, Dutch East Indies | 7.5 | 156.6 | ||||
31 [24] | Empire of Japan, Banda Sea, Dutch East Indies | 6.4 | 65.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.6 Mw Empire of Japan |
---|---|
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 | ||||||
7 [25] | Nicaragua, Chontales Department | 6.0 | 200.0 | ||||
23 [26] | Fiji | 6.5 | 370.0 | ||||
26 [27] [28] | Empire of Japan, off the north coast of West Papua (province), Dutch East Indies | 6.8 | 15.0 | VII | Foreshock. | ||
27 [29] [30] | Empire of Japan, off the north coast of West Papua (province), Dutch East Indies | 7.6 | 15.0 | VII |
Strongest magnitude | 7.3 Mw Fiji |
---|---|
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 | ||||||
9 [31] | Colombia, Huila Department | 6.0 | 100.0 | ||||
25 [32] | Fiji | 7.3 | 632.7 | ||||
25 [33] [34] | Australia, north of New Ireland (island), New Guinea | 7.1 | 15.0 | VI | |||
27 [35] | Italian Social Republic, Dodecanese Islands, Greece | 6.2 | 100.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.0 Mw Mexico |
---|---|
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 | ||||||
8 [36] | Peru, Ucayali Region | 6.2 | 600.0 | ||||
25 [37] | Free France, southeast of the Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia | 6.8 | 35.0 | ||||
28 [38] [39] | Mexico, off the coast of Chiapas | 7.0 | 25.0 | VI |
Strongest magnitude | 7.1 Mw United States |
---|---|
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 | ||||||
10 [40] | Samoa | 6.8 | 185.0 | ||||
12 [41] [42] | United States, southern Idaho | 6.1 | 10.0 | VII | |||
23 [43] | Argentina, Jujuy Province | 6.0 | 250.0 | ||||
27 [44] | United States, Fox Islands (Alaska) | 7.1 | 70.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.9 Mw Empire of Japan 2 events |
---|---|
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 | ||||||
14 [45] | United States, southern Alaska | 6.3 | 100.0 | ||||
15 [46] | Empire of Japan, Northern Mariana Islands | 6.9 | 120.7 | ||||
18 [47] | Empire of Japan, Yamagata Prefecture, Honshu | 6.9 | 131.8 | ||||
24 [48] | Mexico, Chiapas | 6.0 | 100.0 | ||||
30 [49] | New Hebrides, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu | 6.8 | 25.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.2 Mw Soviet Union |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 5 |
5.0–5.9 | 1 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
5 [50] [51] [52] | United States, northern New York State | 5.5 | 12.0 | VIII | The 1944 Cornwall-Massena earthquake caused $2 million (1944 rate) in property damage. This was the largest event in state history. | ||
6 [53] | France, southeast of the Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia | 6.5 | 120.0 | ||||
6 [54] | Ethiopian Empire, Oromia Region | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
11 [55] | Empire of Japan, Molucca Sea, Dutch East Indies | 6.6 | 15.0 | ||||
14 [56] | Empire of Japan, south of Java, Dutch East Indies | 6.8 | 35.0 | ||||
23 [57] [58] | Soviet Union, eastern Kamchatka Krai, Russia | 7.2 | 35.0 | VII | |||
27 [59] [60] [61] | Republic of China (1912-1949), western Xinjiang Province | 6.8 | 20.0 | VII | Some homes were destroyed. |
Strongest magnitude | 7.0 Mw 2 events |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.8 Mw Turkey 30 deaths |
Total fatalities | 30 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 8 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
2 [62] | Guatemala, Jutiapa Department | 6.5 | 160.0 | ||||
2 [63] | Empire of Japan, Hokkaido | 7.0 | 75.0 | ||||
5 [64] | Australia, east of New Ireland (island), New Guinea | 6.9 | 75.0 | ||||
5 [65] | France, southeast of the Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia | 7.0 | 120.0 | ||||
6 [66] [67] [68] | Turkey, off the west coast of Balikesir Province | 6.8 | 15.0 | IX | AT least 30 people were killed and 5,500 homes were destroyed during the 1944 Gulf of Edremit–Ayvacik earthquake. | 30 | |
11 [69] | Samoa | 6.8 | 15.0 | ||||
14 [70] [71] | Empire of Japan, Halmahera, Dutch East Indies | 6.6 | 15.0 | VII | |||
17 [72] [73] | Republic of China (1912-1949), western Xizang | 6.8 | 20.0 | VII | |||
23 [74] [75] | Ecuador, Esmeraldas Province | 6.7 | 20.0 | VII | |||
29 [76] [77] | Republic of China (1912-1949), western Xizang | 6.5 | 20.0 | VII | Aftershock of October 17 event. |
Strongest magnitude | 7.2 Mw New Hebrides |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 3 |
6.0–6.9 | 2 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
15 [78] [79] | Empire of Japan, Talaud Islands, Dutch East Indies | 6.8 | 60.0 | VI | |||
16 [80] [81] | Empire of Japan, Santa Cruz Islands, Solomon Islands | 7.1 | 35.0 | VI | |||
24 [82] [83] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 7.2 | 165.0 | VI | |||
29 [84] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 7.0 | 180.0 | ||||
30 [85] | Fiji | 6.8 | 180.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 8.1 Mw Empire of Japan |
---|---|
Deadliest | 8.1 Mw Empire of Japan 1,223 deaths |
Total fatalities | 1,223 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 1 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 10 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
4 [86] | Empire of Japan, Northern Mariana Islands | 6.8 | 56.7 | ||||
7 [87] [88] [89] [90] | Empire of Japan, off the south coast of Honshu | 8.1 | 15.0 | VII | Major destruction was caused by the 1944 Tōnankai earthquake. 1,223 deaths and 2,135 injuries were caused. 26,146 homes were destroyed. A tsunami contributed to the damage. | 1,223 | 2,135 |
7 [91] | Empire of Japan, off the south coast of Honshu | 6.5 | 0.0 | Aftershock. | |||
10 [92] [93] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.6 | 15.0 | VI | |||
12 [94] | United States, Andreanof Islands, Alaska | 6.5 | 35.0 | ||||
12 [95] | Empire of Japan, off the south coast of Honshu | 6.7 | 0.0 | Aftershock. | |||
19 [96] [97] | Republic of China (1912-1949), Liaoning Province | 6.6 | 35.0 | VII | |||
21 [98] | France, southeast of the Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia | 6.5 | 100.0 | ||||
22 [99] [100] | Chile, Antofagasta Region | 6.5 | 45.3 | VI | |||
27 [101] [102] | Australia, south of New Britain, New Guinea | 6.5 | 35.0 | V | |||
28 [103] | Australia, West New Britain Province, New Guinea | 6.8 | 95.0 |