List of earthquakes in 1947

Earthquakes in 1947

class=notpageimage| Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1947 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	Iran, South Khorasan Province (Magnitude 6.9) September 23 500 deaths
Total fatalities	745
Number by magnitude
9.0+	0
←  1946 1948  →

This is a list of earthquakes in 1947. 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. Although a fairly busy year in terms of magnitude 7.0+ events, the death toll was relatively low at 745. Up to 733 deaths were attributed to two events in Iran and Peru. The largest events measured 7.6 which compared with recent years was quite modest. Magnitude 7.0+ earthquakes were generally spread around the world with Indonesia seeing the most.

Overall

By death toll

Rank	Death toll	Magnitude	Location	MMI	Depth (km)	Date
1	500	6.9	Iran, South Khorasan Province	VIII (Severe)	15.0	September 23
2	233	7.6	Peru, Junin Region	X (Extreme)	20.0	November 1

• Note: At least 10 casualties

By magnitude

Rank	Magnitude	Death toll	Location	MMI	Depth (km)	Date
= 1	7.6	0	Indonesia, off the north coast of Papua (province)	VI (Strong)	15.0	May 27
= 1	7.6	233	Peru, Junin Region	X (Extreme)	20.0	November 1
2	7.4	0	Taiwan, northeast of	( )	121.5	September 26
= 3	7.3	0	Republic of China (1912-1949), Qinghai Province	VII (Very strong)	15.0	March 17
= 3	7.3	0	Indonesia, off the north coast of Papua (province)	VII (Very strong)	15.0	April 2
= 3	7.3	0	India, Arunachal Pradesh	VII (Very strong)	20.0	July 29
= 3	7.3	3	Greece, Peloponnese (region)	VII (Very strong)	15.0	October 6
= 4	7.2	0	Nicaragua, eastern Managua	( )	162.5	January 26
= 4	7.2	0	Argentina, Santiago del Estero Province	( )	565.8	January 29
= 4	7.2	0	United States, Northern Mariana Islands	( )	35.0	June 19
= 4	7.2	0	United States, central Alaska	VIII (Severe)	26.0	October 16
= 5	7.0	0	New Zealand, Hawke's Bay Region	VI (Strong)	165.0	March 25
= 5	7.0	0	Philippines, Leyte	VII (Very strong)	15.0	June 7
= 5	7.0	0	Indonesia, Molucca Sea	VI (Strong)	15.0	June 12
= 5	7.0	0	United States, Northern Mariana Islands	( )	35.0	June 13
= 5	7.0	0	Japan, eastern Sea of Japan	V (Moderate)	15.0	November 4
= 5	7.0	0	Southeast Indian Ridge	( )	60.0	December 24

• Note: At least 7.0 magnitude

Notable events

January

January

Strongest magnitude	7.2 Mw 2 events
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
3 [1]	Soviet Union, east of Kuril Islands, Russia	6.5	15.0
21 [2]	Chile, Antofagasta Region	6.8	35.2
26 [3] [4]	Nicaragua, eastern Managua	7.2	162.5		Some damage was caused.
29 [5]	Argentina, Santiago del Estero Province	7.2	565.8

February

February

Strongest magnitude	6.8 Mw   Japan
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
2 [6]	New Hebrides, Vanuatu	6.5	130.0
7 [7] [8]	United Kingdom, Solomon Islands	6.3	15.0	VII
10 [9] [10]	Republic of China (1912-1949), western Xizang	6.5	15.0	VII
18 [11]	Japan, off the south coast of Honshu	6.8	429.0

March

March

Strongest magnitude	7.3 Mw   Republic of China (1912-1949)
Deadliest	5.5 Mw   Republic of China (1912-1949) 1 death
Total fatalities	1
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.9	0
7.0–7.9	2
6.0–6.9	1
5.0–5.9	1

Date	Country and location	Mw	Depth (km)	MMI	Notes	Casualties
						Dead	Injured
2 [12] [13]	Australia, Madang Province, New Guinea	6.6	35.0	VII
17 [14] [15]	Republic of China (1912-1949), Qinghai Province	7.3	15.0	VII
25 [16] [17] [18] [19]	New Zealand, Hawke's Bay Region	7.0	165.0	VI	Some damage was caused. A small tsunami was reported.
26 [20]	Republic of China (1912-1949), Yunnan Province	5.5	0.0	VII	1 person was killed and at least 1 was injured. Many homes were destroyed.	1	1+

April

April

Strongest magnitude	7.3 Mw   Indonesia
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
2 [21] [22]	Indonesia, off the north coast of Papua (province)	7.3	15.0	VII
10 [23] [24] [25]	United States, Mojave Desert, California	6.5	6.0	VIII	Surface ruptures were observed which was significant for the area. Some minor damage was caused.
14 [26]	Soviet Union, east of the Kuril Islands, Russia	6.9	30.0

May

May

Strongest magnitude	7.6 Mw   Indonesia
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
6 [27] [28]	Australia, southwest of New Britain, Papua New Guinea	6.8	35.0	VI
27 [29]	Indonesia, Alor Archipelago	6.5	100.0
27 [30] [31]	Indonesia, off the north coast of Papua (province)	7.6	15.0	VI

June

June

Strongest magnitude	7.2 Mw   United States
Deadliest	5.5 Mw   Republic of China (1912-1949) 3 deaths
Total fatalities	3
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.9	0
7.0–7.9	4
6.0–6.9	1
5.0–5.9	1

Date	Country and location	Mw	Depth (km)	MMI	Notes	Casualties
						Dead	Injured
4 [32]	Greece, Central Macedonia	6.0	80.0
7 [33]	Republic of China (1912-1949), Sichuan Province	5.5	0.0	VII	3 people were killed and some homes collapsed.	3
7 [34] [35]	Philippines, Leyte	7.0	15.0	VII
12 [36] [37]	Indonesia, Molucca Sea	7.0	15.0	VI
13 [38]	United States, Northern Mariana Islands	7.0	35.0	rowspan="2"| Doublet earthquake.
19 [39]	United States, Northern Mariana Islands	7.2	35.0

July

July

Strongest magnitude	7.3 Mw   India
Deadliest	0.0 Mw   Colombia 2 deaths
Total fatalities	2
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]	India, Himachal Pradesh	6.0	60.0
14 [41] [42]	Colombia, Narino Department	0.0	10.0	IX	2 people were killed and some damage was reported. Magnitude unknown.	2
25 [43]	Argentina, Salta Province	6.2	580.0
26 [44]	Soviet Union, Kuril Islands, Russia	6.5	80.0
29 [45] [46]	India, Arunachal Pradesh	7.3	20.0	VII	1947 Assam earthquake.

August

August

Strongest magnitude	6.8 Mw 2 events
Deadliest	5.3 Mw   France 3 deaths
Total fatalities	3
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.9	0
7.0–7.9	0
6.0–6.9	3
5.0–5.9	1

Date	Country and location	Mw	Depth (km)	MMI	Notes	Casualties
						Dead	Injured
5 [47] [48]	India, off the coast of Pakistan	6.8	15.0	VII
6 [49]	Brazil, Acre (state)	6.8	603.3
6 [50]	France, off the coast of Algeria	5.3	0.0	IX	3 people were killed and at least 101 were injured. Some damage was reported. Depth unknown.	3	101+
7 [51] [52]	Cuba, southeast of	6.6	35.0	VI

September

September

Strongest magnitude	7.4 Mw   Taiwan
Deadliest	6.9 Mw   Iran 500 deaths
Total fatalities	500
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
2 [53]	Tonga	6.8	230.0
3 [54]	Soviet Union, Kuril Islands, Russia	6.8	110.0
23 [55] [56] [57]	Iran, South Khorasan Province	6.9	15.0	VIII	1947 Dustabad earthquake : 500 people were killed and major damage was caused.	500
26 [58]	Taiwan, northeast of	7.4	121.5

October

October

Strongest magnitude	7.3 Mw   Greece
Deadliest	7.3 Mw   Greece 3 deaths
Total fatalities	3
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.9	0
7.0–7.9	2
6.0–6.9	1

Date	Country and location	Mw	Depth (km)	MMI	Notes	Casualties
						Dead	Injured
3 [59]	Iran, Kerman Province	6.2	35.0
6 [60] [61] [62]	Greece, Peloponnese (region)	7.3	15.0	IX	3 people were killed and 20 were injured. 7,000 homes were destroyed.	3	20
16 [63] [64]	United States, central Alaska	7.2	26.0	VIII	Some damage was caused in the area.

November

November

Strongest magnitude	7.6 Mw   Peru
Deadliest	7.6 Mw   Peru 233 deaths
Total fatalities	233
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.9	0
7.0–7.9	2
6.0–6.9	3

Date	Country and location	Mw	Depth (km)	MMI	Notes	Casualties
						Dead	Injured
1 [65] [66] [67]	Peru, Junin Region	7.6	20.0	X	233 people were killed and major damage was caused by the 1947 Satipo earthquake	233
4 [68] [69] [70]	Japan, eastern Sea of Japan	7.0	15.0	V	A tsunami generated some damage on the coast of Hokkaido.
9 [71]	France, southeast of the Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia	6.6	15.0
14 [72]	Japan, northern Hokkaido	6.7	160.0
23 [73] [74]	United States, western Montana	6.1	5.0	VIII

December

December

Strongest magnitude	7.0 Mw Southeast Indian Ridge
Total fatalities	0
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.9	0
7.0–7.9	1
6.0–6.9	0

Date	Country and location	Mw	Depth (km)	MMI	Notes	Casualties
						Dead	Injured
24 [75]	Southeast Indian Ridge	7.0	60.0

References

1. "M 6.5 - east of the Kuril Islands". United States Geological Survey. January 3, 1947. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
2. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. January 21, 1947. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
3. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. January 26, 1947. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
4. "Significant Earthquake: EL SALVADOR: LA UNION". National Geophysical Data Center. January 26, 1947. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
5. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. January 29, 1947. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
6. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. February 2, 1947. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
7. "M 6.3 - Solomon Islands". United States Geological Survey. February 7, 1947. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
8. "M 6.3 - Solomon Islands". United States Geological Survey. February 7, 1947. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
9. "M 6.5 - western Xizang". United States Geological Survey. February 10, 1947. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
10. "M 6.5 - western Xizang". United States Geological Survey. February 10, 1947. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
11. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. February 18, 1947. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
12. "M 6.6 - near the north coast of New Guinea, Papua New Guinea". United States Geological Survey. March 2, 1947. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
13. "M 6.6 - near the north coast of New Guinea, Papua New Guinea". United States Geological Survey. March 2, 1947. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
14. "M 7.3 - Qinghai-Sichuan border region, China". United States Geological Survey. March 17, 1947. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
15. "M 7.3 - Qinghai-Sichuan border region, China". United States Geological Survey. March 17, 1947. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
16. "M 7.0 - North Island of New Zealand". United States Geological Survey. March 25, 1947. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
17. "M 7.0 - North Island of New Zealand". United States Geological Survey. March 25, 1947. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
18. "Significant Earthquake: NEW ZEALAND: OFF COAST NORTH ISLAND". National Geophysical Data Center. March 25, 1947. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
19. "Tsunami Event: OFF COAST OF NORTH ISLAND". National Geophysical Data Center. March 25, 1947. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
20. "Significant Earthquake: CHINA: YUNNAN PROVINCE". National Geophysical Data Center. March 26, 1947. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
21. "M 7.3 - near the north coast of Papua, Indonesia". United States Geological Survey. April 2, 1947. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
22. "M 7.3 - near the north coast of Papua, Indonesia". United States Geological Survey. April 2, 1947. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
23. "M 6.5 - 34km SSE of Fort Irwin, CA". United States Geological Survey. April 10, 1947. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
24. "M 6.5 - 34km SSE of Fort Irwin, CA". United States Geological Survey. April 10, 1947. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
25. "Manix Earthquake". Caltech. April 10, 1947. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
26. "M 6.9 - east of the Kuril Islands". United States Geological Survey. April 14, 1947. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
27. "M 6.8 - New Britain region, Papua New Guinea". United States Geological Survey. May 6, 1947. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
28. "M 6.8 - New Britain region, Papua New Guinea". United States Geological Survey. May 6, 1947. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
29. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. May 27, 1947. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
30. "M 7.6 - near the north coast of Papua, Indonesia". United States Geological Survey. May 27, 1947. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
31. "M 7.6 - near the north coast of Papua, Indonesia". United States Geological Survey. May 27, 1947. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
32. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. June 4, 1947. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
33. "Significant Earthquake: CHINA: SICHUAN PROVINCE". National Geophysical Data Center. June 7, 1947. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
34. "M 7.0 - Leyte, Philippines". United States Geological Survey. June 7, 1947. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
35. "M 7.0 - Leyte, Philippines". United States Geological Survey. June 7, 1947. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
36. "M 7.0 - Molucca Sea". United States Geological Survey. June 12, 1947. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
37. "M 7.0 - Molucca Sea". United States Geological Survey. June 12, 1947. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
38. "M 7.0 - Mariana Islands region". United States Geological Survey. June 13, 1947. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
39. "M 7.2 - Mariana Islands region". United States Geological Survey. June 19, 1947. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
40. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. July 10, 1947. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
41. "Significant Earthquake: COLOMBIA: PASTO". National Geophysical Data Center. July 14, 1947. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
42. "The Pasto, Colombia, earthquake of July 14, 1947". Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America. July 14, 1947. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
43. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. July 25, 1947. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
44. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. July 26, 1947. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
45. "M 7.3 - eastern Xizang-India border region". United States Geological Survey. July 29, 1947. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
46. "M 7.3 - eastern Xizang-India border region". United States Geological Survey. July 29, 1947. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
47. "M 6.8 - southwestern Pakistan". United States Geological Survey. August 5, 1947. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
48. "M 6.8 - southwestern Pakistan". United States Geological Survey. August 5, 1947. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
49. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. August 6, 1947. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
50. "Significant Earthquake: ALGERIA". National Geophysical Data Center. August 6, 1947. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
51. "M 6.6 - Cuba region". United States Geological Survey. August 7, 1947. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
52. "M 6.6 - Cuba region". United States Geological Survey. August 7, 1947. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
53. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. September 2, 1947. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
54. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. September 3, 1947. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
55. "M 6.9 - eastern Iran". United States Geological Survey. September 23, 1947. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
56. "M 6.9 - eastern Iran". United States Geological Survey. September 23, 1947. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
57. "Significant Earthquake: IRAN: DUSTABAD". National Geophysical Data Center. September 23, 1947. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
58. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. September 26, 1947. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
59. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. October 3, 1947. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
60. "M 7.3 - southern Greece". United States Geological Survey. October 6, 1947. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
61. "M 7.3 - southern Greece". United States Geological Survey. October 6, 1947. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
62. "Significant Earthquake: GREECE: S: PYLIA (MESSINIA)". National Geophysical Data Center. October 6, 1947. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
63. "M 7.2 - Central Alaska". United States Geological Survey. October 16, 1947. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
64. "M 7.2 - Central Alaska". United States Geological Survey. October 16, 1947. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
65. "M 7.6 - central Peru". United States Geological Survey. November 1, 1947. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
66. "M 7.6 - central Peru". United States Geological Survey. November 1, 1947. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
67. "Significant Earthquake: PERU: SATIPO,ANDAMARCA,ACOBAMBA,LA MERCED,VICTOC". National Geophysical Data Center. November 1, 1947. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
68. "M 7.0 - eastern Sea of Japan". United States Geological Survey. November 4, 1947. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
69. "M 7.0 - eastern Sea of Japan". United States Geological Survey. November 4, 1947. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
70. "Tsunami Event: W. HOKKAIDO ISLAND". National Geophysical Data Center. November 4, 1947. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
71. "M 6.6 - southeast of the Loyalty Islands". United States Geological Survey. November 9, 1947. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
72. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. November 14, 1947. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
73. "M 6.1 - western Montana". United States Geological Survey. November 23, 1947. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
74. "M 6.1 - western Montana". United States Geological Survey. November 23, 1947. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
75. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. December 24, 1947. Retrieved September 25, 2016.