Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1950
| |||
Strongest magnitude | ![]() | ||
---|---|---|---|
Deadliest | ![]() | ||
Total fatalities | 1,756 | ||
Number by magnitude | |||
9.0+ | 0 | ||
This is a list of earthquakes in 1950. 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 main event which dominated the year in terms of magnitude and deaths was the earthquake which struck India in August. With a magnitude of 8.6, it was one of the largest earthquakes of all time, and affected the eastern part of the country. There were 1,530 deaths, which was around three quarters of the yearly total. A number of other deadly events struck Venezuela and Peru. There were 21 magnitude 7.0+ quakes. Aside from India, Chile was hit by a magnitude 8.2 event in December that left one person dead. Aftershock sequences contributed to a large number of magnitude 6.0–6.9 events, especially in India and New Hebrides (which also saw four magnitude 7.0+ quakes).
Rank | Death toll | Magnitude | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1,530 | 8.6 | ![]() | XI (Extreme) | 15.0 | August 15 |
2 | 100 | 6.4 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 15.0 | August 3 |
3 | 83 | 6.0 | ![]() | ( ) | 100.0 | May 21 |
4 | 20 | 5.7 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 15.0 | January 19 |
5 | 16 | 6.6 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 45.0 | June 19 |
Rank | Magnitude | Death toll | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 8.6 | 1,530 | ![]() | XI (Extreme) | 15.0 | August 15 |
2 | 8.2 | 1 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 113.9 | December 9 |
3 | 7.9 | 0 | ![]() | VI (Strong) | 30.0 | December 2 |
4 | 7.8 | 0 | ![]() | VI (Strong) | 215.9 | December 14 |
= 5 | 7.7 | 0 | ![]() | V (Moderate) | 329.0 | February 28 |
= 5 | 7.7 | 0 | ![]() | VI (Strong) | 199.7 | November 2 |
= 6 | 7.5 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 215.4 | July 9 |
= 6 | 7.5 | 0 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 97.9 | October 5 |
7 | 7.3 | 1 | ![]() | VI (Strong) | 20.0 | October 8 |
= 8 | 7.2 | 0 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 30.0 | September 19 |
= 8 | 7.2 | 0 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 65.3 | October 23 |
= 8 | 7.2 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 60.0 | December 2 |
= 8 | 7.2 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 78.3 | December 4 |
= 8 | 7.2 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 298.4 | December 10 |
= 9 | 7.1 | 0 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 50.0 | May 26 |
= 9 | 7.1 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 610.0 | August 14 |
= 9 | 7.1 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 141.3 | September 10 |
= 9 | 7.1 | 0 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 35.0 | December 14 |
= 10 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 77.3 | May 25 |
= 10 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 646.2 | July 9 |
= 10 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 120.0 | August 31 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.8 Mw 2 events |
---|---|
Deadliest | 5.7 Mw ![]() 20 deaths |
Total fatalities | 21+ |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 6 |
5.0–5.9 | 1 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
3 [1] [2] | ![]() | 6.5 | 30.0 | VI | |||
3 [3] | ![]() | 6.3 | 15.0 | ||||
12 [4] | ![]() | 6.8 | 539.9 | ||||
13 [5] | ![]() | 6.5 | 69.9 | ||||
19 [6] [7] [8] | ![]() | 5.7 | 15.0 | VII | 20 people were killed and major damage was caused. | 20 | |
24 [9] | ![]() | 6.5 | 165.0 | ||||
30 [10] [11] [12] | ![]() | 6.8 | 15.0 | VII | At least 1 person was killed. Aftershock of events in the area from December 1949. | 1+ |
Strongest magnitude | 7.7 Mw, ![]() |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
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 | ||||||
2 [13] [14] [15] | ![]() | 6.9 | 35.0 | rowspan="2"| Some damage was caused. Doublet earthquake. | |||
3 [16] [17] | ![]() | 6.7 | 35.0 | VI | |||
11 [18] | ![]() | 6.5 | 254.4 | ||||
12 [19] [20] | ![]() | 6.3 | 20.0 | VII | |||
23 [21] | ![]() | 6.5 | 210.0 | ||||
25 [22] [23] | ![]() | 6.1 | 15.0 | VII | |||
25 [24] | ![]() | 6.3 | 25.0 | ||||
28 [25] [26] | ![]() | 7.7 | 329.0 | V |
Strongest magnitude | 6.8 Mw, ![]() |
---|---|
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 | ||||||
7 [27] [28] | ![]() | 6.7 | 25.0 | VII | |||
14 [29] | ![]() | 6.8 | 150.0 | ||||
27 [30] | ![]() | 6.4 | 35.0 | ||||
29 [31] | ![]() | 6.5 | 83.7 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.9 Mw, ![]() |
---|---|
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 | ||||||
4 [32] | ![]() | 6.0 | 55.0 | ||||
4 [33] [34] | ![]() | 6.9 | 35.0 | VII | |||
15 [35] [36] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | V | |||
26 [37] [38] | ![]() | 6.3 | 48.6 | VI |
Strongest magnitude | 7.1 Mw, ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.0 Mw, ![]() 83 deaths |
Total fatalities | 83 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 11 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
9 [39] [40] | ![]() | 6.1 | 15.0 | VII | |||
10 [41] | Mozambique Channel | 6.2 | 15.0 | ||||
17 [42] | Sea of Japan | 6.7 | 579.3 | ||||
17 [43] | ![]() | 6.7 | 35.0 | ||||
21 [44] [45] | ![]() | 6.0 | 100.0 | 83 people were killed and major damage was caused. | 83 | ||
25 [46] | ![]() | 6.0 | 0.0 | Unknown depth. | |||
25 [47] | ![]() | 7.0 | 77.3 | ||||
26 [48] [49] | ![]() | 7.1 | 50.0 | rowspan="2"| Doublet earthquake. The second event was only 14 seconds after the first. | |||
26 [50] [51] | ![]() | 6.9 | 35.0 | V | |||
27 [52] | ![]() | 6.8 | 588.3 | ||||
30 [53] [54] | ![]() | 6.3 | 15.0 | VII | |||
30 [55] | ![]() | 6.4 | 590.0 | ||||
31 [56] [57] | ![]() | 6.2 | 46.0 | IV |
Strongest magnitude | 6.9 Mw, ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.6 Mw, ![]() 16 deaths |
Total fatalities | 16 |
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 | ||||||
4 [58] [59] | ![]() | 6.0 | 15.0 | VI | |||
7 [60] | ![]() | 6.8 | 115.5 | ||||
17 [61] | ![]() | 6.0 | 192.0 | ||||
17 [62] [63] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | IV | |||
19 [64] [65] [66] | ![]() | 6.6 | 45.0 | VII | 16 people were killed and another 50 were hurt. 50 homes were destroyed. | 16 | 50 |
21 [67] | ![]() | 6.7 | 35.0 | ||||
21 [68] | ![]() | 6.3 | 20.0 | ||||
24 [69] [70] | ![]() | 6.9 | 35.0 | VI | |||
25 [71] [72] | ![]() | 6.2 | 57.6 | IV | |||
27 [73] [74] | ![]() | 6.3 | 15.0 | V |
Strongest magnitude | 7.5 Mw, ![]() |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 9 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
9 [75] | ![]() | 6.8 | 646.0 | rowspan="2"| Doublet earthquake. | |||
9 [76] | ![]() | 7.0 | 646.2 | ||||
9 [77] | ![]() | 6.4 | 633.8 | Aftershock. | |||
9 [78] | ![]() | 7.5 | 215.4 | ||||
13 [79] | ![]() | 6.9 | 511.6 | ||||
18 [80] [81] | ![]() | 6.1 | 15.0 | VII | |||
20 [82] | ![]() | 6.5 | 35.0 | ||||
21 [83] | ![]() | 6.8 | 20.0 | ||||
21 [84] [85] | ![]() | 6.4 | 15.0 | VI | |||
29 [86] [87] | ![]() | 6.3 | 30.0 | IV | |||
29 [88] [89] | ![]() | 6.7 | 65.0 | VI |
Strongest magnitude | 8.6 Mw, ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 8.6 Mw, ![]() 1,530 deaths |
Total fatalities | 1,630 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 1 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 23 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
3 [90] | ![]() | 6.1 | 80.5 | ||||
3 [91] | ![]() | 6.5 | 20.0 | ||||
3 [92] | ![]() | 6.5 | 96.0 | ||||
3 [93] [94] [95] | ![]() | 6.4 | 15.0 | VII | 100 people were killed. | 100 | |
7 [96] | ![]() | 6.8 | 135.5 | ||||
14 [97] | ![]() | 7.1 | 610.0 | ||||
15 [98] [99] [100] | ![]() | 8.6 | 15.0 | XI | The 1950 Assam–Tibet earthquake was one of the largest of all time. 1,530 people were killed and major property damage was caused. Costs were around $20 million (1950 rate). Many large aftershocks followed. These events have been plotted on the map but are not listed to prevent cluttering. | 1,530 | |
17 [101] | ![]() | 6.9 | 609.8 | ||||
21 [102] [103] | ![]() | 6.0 | 15.0 | VII | |||
22 [104] [105] | ![]() | 6.0 | 64.4 | V | |||
26 [106] | ![]() | 6.0 | 15.0 | ||||
29 [107] [108] | ![]() | 6.3 | 55.0 | VI | |||
30 [109] [110] | ![]() | 6.1 | 20.0 | IV | |||
31 [111] | ![]() | 7.0 | 120.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.2 Mw, ![]() |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 13 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
7 [112] | ![]() | 6.5 | 50.0 | ||||
9 [113] [114] | ![]() | 6.3 | 25.0 | VI | |||
10 [115] [116] | ![]() | 6.1 | 35.0 | V | |||
10 [117] | ![]() | 7.1 | 141.3 | ||||
13 [118] [119] [120] | ![]() | 6.0 | 15.0 | VIII | 320 homes were destroyed. | ||
14 [121] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
16 [122] | ![]() | 6.6 | 100.0 | ||||
18 [123] | ![]() | 6.0 | 635.3 | ||||
19 [124] [125] | ![]() | 7.2 | 30.0 | VII | |||
22 [126] | ![]() | 6.8 | 400.4 | ||||
25 [127] [128] | ![]() | 6.0 | 25.0 | VI | |||
28 [129] [130] | ![]() | 6.1 | 15.0 | VI | |||
29 [131] | ![]() | 6.6 | 15.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.5 Mw, ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.3 Mw, ![]() 1 death |
Total fatalities | 1 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 3 |
6.0–6.9 | 14 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
5 [132] [133] [134] | ![]() | 7.5 | 97.9 | VII | At least 101 people were injured and some damage was reported. | 101+ | |
8 [135] [136] [137] | ![]() | 7.3 | 20.0 | VI | A tsunami swept across Ambon Island causing 1 death and major damage. | 1 | |
8 [138] | ![]() | 6.2 | 15.0 | ||||
10 [139] | ![]() | 6.0 | 15.0 | ||||
15 [140] [141] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | VI | |||
21 [142] | ![]() | 6.3 | 45.0 | ||||
23 [143] [144] [145] | ![]() | 7.2 | 65.3 | VII | Many homes were destroyed or damaged. Several large aftershocks followed but are not listed to prevent cluttering. |
Strongest magnitude | 7.7 Mw, ![]() |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 4 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
2 [146] [147] | ![]() | 7.7 | 199.7 | VI | |||
5 [148] [149] | ![]() | 6.7 | 25.0 | VI | |||
8 [150] [151] | ![]() | 6.6 | 15.0 | VII | |||
14 [152] [153] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | VI | |||
17 [154] [155] [156] | ![]() | 6.1 | 20.0 | XI | Some damage was reported. |
Strongest magnitude | 8.2 Mw, ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.3 Mw, ![]() 4 deaths |
Total fatalities | 5 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 1 |
7.0–7.9 | 6 |
6.0–6.9 | 8 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
2 [157] | ![]() | 6.8 | 643.3 | ||||
2 [158] [159] | ![]() | 7.9 | 30.0 | VI | |||
2 [160] | ![]() | 7.2 | 60.0 | This large aftershock came only 4 minutes after the mainshock. | |||
4 [161] | ![]() | 7.2 | 78.3 | ||||
5 [162] | ![]() | 6.0 | 25.0 | ||||
9 [163] [164] [165] | ![]() | 8.2 | 113.9 | VII | 1 person was killed and at least 51 were injured in the 1950 Calama earthquake. | 1 | 51+ |
10 [166] [167] [168] | ![]() | 6.3 | 61.5 | VI | 4 people were killed and 12 were injured. Some homes were destroyed. | 4 | 12 |
10 [169] | ![]() | 7.2 | 298.4 | ||||
11 [170] | ![]() | 6.2 | 644.5 | Aftershock. | |||
14 [171] | ![]() | 6.5 | 65.0 | ||||
14 [172] [173] | ![]() | 7.8 | 215.9 | VI | |||
14 [174] [175] [176] | ![]() | 7.1 | 35.0 | VII | Some damage was reported. | ||
18 [177] [178] | ![]() | 6.3 | 35.0 | VI | |||
28 [179] | ![]() | 6.2 | 635.0 | Aftershock. | |||
29 [180] [181] | ![]() | 6.1 | 15.0 | VII |