Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1952
| |||
Strongest magnitude | ![]() | ||
---|---|---|---|
Deadliest | ![]() | ||
Total fatalities | 4,224 | ||
Number by magnitude | |||
9.0+ | 1 | ||
This is a list of earthquakes in 1952. 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. Two major earthquakes occurred in 1952; in March a magnitude 8.1 earthquake struck Japan resulting in a robust aftershock sequence. Then in November, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake rocked the Kamchatka area of Russia, causing a major tsunami. This event was the largest and deadliest of the year; it was also one of the largest of all time.
Rank | Death toll | Magnitude | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 4,000 | 9.0 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 21.6 | November 4 |
2 | 103 | 5.7 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 20.0 | January 3 |
3 | 54 | 7.4 | ![]() | X (Extreme) | 25.0 | August 17 |
4 | 33 | 8.1 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 45.0 | March 4 |
5 | 20 | 5.7 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 15.0 | October 22 |
6 | 12 | 7.5 | ![]() | XI (Extreme) | 6.0 | July 21 |
Rank | Magnitude | Death toll | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 9.0 | 4,000 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 21.6 | November 4 |
2 | 8.1 | 33 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 45.0 | March 4 |
3 | 7.5 | 12 | ![]() | XI (Extreme) | 6.0 | July 21 |
4 | 7.4 | 54 | ![]() | X (Extreme) | 25.0 | August 17 |
5 | 7.3 | 0 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 15.0 | March 19 |
= 6 | 7.1 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 15.0 | March 4 |
= 6 | 7.1 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 79.5 | May 9 |
= 6 | 7.1 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 268.0 | September 21 |
= 7 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 25.0 | February 14 |
= 7 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 369.0 | May 28 |
= 7 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 80.0 | July 17 |
= 7 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 15.0 | December 6 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.8 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 5.7 Mw ![]() 103 deaths |
Total fatalities | 103 |
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] [3] | ![]() | 5.7 | 20.0 | VIII | 103 people were killed and some damage was caused by the 1952 Hasankale earthquake. | 103 | |
13 [4] | ![]() | 6.7 | 20.0 | ||||
15 [5] [6] | ![]() | 6.3 | 35.0 | VI | |||
23 [7] [8] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | VI | |||
31 [9] | ![]() | 6.5 | 477.0 | ||||
31 [10] | ![]() | 6.8 | 82.5 | ||||
31 [11] [12] | ![]() | 6.2 | 20.0 | VII |
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 | 4 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
11 [13] | ![]() | 6.9 | 675.1 | ||||
14 [14] [15] | ![]() | 7.0 | 25.0 | VII | |||
25 [16] | ![]() | 6.5 | 41.8 | ||||
26 [17] | ![]() | 6.9 | 251.5 | ||||
26 [18] | ![]() | 6.0 | 88.1 |
Strongest magnitude | 8.1 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 8.1 Mw ![]() 33 deaths |
Total fatalities | 33 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 1 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 17 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
2 [19] [20] | ![]() | 6.1 | 46.9 | V | |||
4 [21] [22] [23] [24] | ![]() | 8.1 | 45.0 | VIII | The 1952 Hokkaido earthquake caused major destruction mainly due to a tsunami affecting the area. 33 people were killed and 572 were injured. 2,422 homes were destroyed. | 33 | 572 |
4 [25] | ![]() | 7.1 | 15.0 | Aftershock. | |||
4 [26] | ![]() | 6.3 | 12.4 | Aftershock. | |||
4 [27] [28] | ![]() | 6.2 | 15.0 | VI | |||
4 [29] | ![]() | 6.7 | 15.0 | Aftershock. | |||
5 [30] | ![]() | 6.4 | 16.0 | Aftershock. | |||
5 [31] | ![]() | 6.3 | 25.0 | Aftershock. | |||
5 [32] [33] | ![]() | 6.4 | 10.0 | V | |||
7 [34] [35] | ![]() | 6.5 | 10.0 | VI | |||
7 [36] | ![]() | 6.0 | 30.0 | Aftershock. | |||
9 [37] [38] [39] | ![]() | 6.9 | 49.5 | VI | Aftershock. 17 people were hurt and 113 homes collapsed. | 17 | |
9 [40] | ![]() | 6.1 | 10.0 | ||||
13 [41] | ![]() | 6.5 | 280.8 | ||||
14 [42] [43] | ![]() | 6.1 | 40.9 | V | Aftershock. | ||
15 [44] [45] | ![]() | 6.3 | 15.0 | VII | |||
19 [46] [47] | ![]() | 6.3 | 35.0 | VI | |||
19 [48] [49] [50] | ![]() | 7.3 | 15.0 | VII | Some damage was caused. | ||
23 [51] | ![]() | 6.2 | 25.0 | ||||
25 [52] [53] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | V |
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 | 8 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
8 [54] [55] | ![]() | 6.3 | 35.0 | V | |||
10 [56] | ![]() | 6.3 | 15.0 | ||||
14 [57] | ![]() | 6.2 | 70.0 | ||||
15 [58] [59] | ![]() | 6.0 | 57.2 | V | Aftershock of March 4 event. | ||
15 [60] | ![]() | 6.5 | 395.0 | ||||
19 [61] [62] | ![]() ![]() | 6.5 | 28.2 | VI | |||
28 [63] [64] | ![]() | 6.2 | 65.0 | VI | Aftershock. | ||
29 [65] | ![]() | 6.0 | 50.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.1 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 14 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
4 [66] | ![]() | 6.5 | 75.0 | ||||
8 [67] [68] | ![]() | 6.0 | 48.9 | V | |||
8 [69] | ![]() | 6.6 | 101.4 | ||||
9 [70] | ![]() | 6.8 | 390.0 | ||||
9 [71] | ![]() | 7.1 | 79.5 | ||||
13 [72] [73] | ![]() | 6.4 | 35.0 | VI | |||
14 [74] | ![]() | 6.2 | 30.0 | Aftershock of March 4 event. | |||
16 [75] | ![]() | 6.3 | 10.0 | ||||
17 [76] | ![]() | 6.4 | 39.3 | Aftershock of March 4 event. | |||
19 [77] [78] | ![]() | 6.5 | 30.0 | IV | Aftershock of March 4 event. | ||
22 [79] [80] | ![]() | 6.2 | 30.2 | IV | |||
23 [81] [82] | ![]() | 6.0 | 10.0 | VI | |||
24 [83] | ![]() | 6.0 | 25.0 | ||||
24 [84] [85] | ![]() | 6.6 | 30.0 | VI | |||
26 [86] [87] | ![]() | 6.0 | 20.0 | VII | |||
28 [88] | ![]() | 7.0 | 369.0 |
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 | 11 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
4 [89] | ![]() | 6.1 | 10.0 | ||||
10 [90] | ![]() | 6.5 | 25.0 | ||||
11 [91] [92] | ![]() | 6.5 | 25.0 | VI | 1952 San Juan earthquake. | ||
17 [93] [94] | ![]() | 6.1 | 25.0 | VI | |||
19 [95] [96] [97] | ![]() | 6.7 | 10.0 | VIII | 10 homes were destroyed. | ||
19 [98] | ![]() | 6.6 | 15.0 | ||||
20 [99] | ![]() | 6.5 | 100.0 | ||||
22 [100] | ![]() | 6.8 | 27.0 | ||||
23 [101] [102] | ![]() | 6.2 | 38.1 | V | |||
25 [103] [104] | ![]() | 6.1 | 10.0 | VII | |||
30 [105] [106] | ![]() | 6.5 | 15.0 | VIII |
Strongest magnitude | 7.5 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.5 Mw ![]() 12 deaths |
Total fatalities | 12 |
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 | ||||||
5 [107] [108] | ![]() | 6.1 | 35.0 | VI | |||
10 [109] | ![]() | 6.5 | 685.6 | ||||
13 [110] | ![]() | 6.5 | 0.0 | Unknown depth. | |||
13 [111] | ![]() | 6.8 | 280.0 | ||||
13 [112] [113] | ![]() | 6.5 | 25.0 | VI | |||
17 [114] | ![]() | 7.0 | 80.0 | ||||
21 [115] [116] [117] | ![]() | 7.5 | 6.0 | XI | The 1952 Kern County earthquake was the largest quake to strike the conterminous states in nearly 50 years. Many aftershocks followed including some damaging ones. 12 people were killed and at least 101 were injured. Damage costs reached $60 million (1952 rate). | 12 | 101+ |
24 [118] | ![]() | 6.6 | 100.0 | ||||
24 [119] [120] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | V | Aftershock of March 4 event. | ||
27 [121] | ![]() | 6.9 | 502.2 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.4 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.4 Mw ![]() 54 deaths |
Total fatalities | 56 |
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 | ||||||
14 [122] [123] | ![]() | 6.2 | 48.3 | V | |||
15 [124] | ![]() | 6.5 | 603.0 | ||||
16 [125] [126] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | V | |||
17 [127] [128] [129] | ![]() | 7.4 | 25.0 | X | The 1952 Damxung earthquake left 54 people dead. 774 homes were destroyed. | 54 | |
18 [130] [131] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | VI | |||
22 [132] [133] [134] | ![]() | 5.5 | 6.0 | VIII | Aftershock of 1952 Kern County earthquake. 2 people were killed and at least 51 were injured. 90 homes were destroyed and damage costs were $10 million (1952 rate). | 2 | 51+ |
31 [135] [136] | ![]() | 6.1 | 63.9 | V | Aftershock of March event. |
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 | 6 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
9 [137] [138] | ![]() | 6.7 | 15.0 | VI | |||
14 [139] [140] | ![]() | 6.0 | 15.0 | VII | |||
19 [141] | ![]() | 6.1 | 64.0 | ||||
21 [142] | ![]() | 7.1 | 268.0 | ||||
22 [143] [144] | ![]() | 6.0 | 15.0 | VII | |||
27 [145] [146] | ![]() | 6.2 | 60.0 | V | |||
30 [147] [148] [149] | ![]() | 6.6 | 10.0 | IX | 4,196 homes were destroyed. |
Strongest magnitude | 6.6 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 5.7 Mw ![]() 20 deaths |
Total fatalities | 20 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 14 |
5.0–5.9 | 2 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
5 [150] [151] | ![]() | 6.1 | 15.0 | VII | |||
8 [152] [153] [154] | ![]() | 5.8 | 15.0 | VIII | 5,043 homes were destroyed. | ||
10 [155] [156] | ![]() | 6.4 | 35.0 | VI | |||
11 [157] [158] | ![]() | 6.3 | 75.0 | V | |||
18 [159] [160] | ![]() | 6.3 | 35.0 | V | |||
22 [161] [162] [163] | ![]() | 5.7 | 15.0 | VII | 20 people were killed and major damage was caused. | 20 | |
26 [164] | ![]() | 6.6 | 27.8 | Series of earthquakes off the east coast of Honshu began with this event. | |||
26 [165] | ![]() | 6.5 | 27.7 | ||||
26 [166] | ![]() | 6.5 | 25.0 | ||||
26 [167] | ![]() | 6.3 | 24.2 | ||||
27 [168] | ![]() | 6.5 | 22.5 | ||||
28 [169] [170] | ![]() | 6.2 | 25.0 | VII | |||
28 [171] | ![]() | 6.3 | 15.0 | ||||
29 [172] | ![]() | 6.5 | 135.0 | ||||
31 [173] | ![]() | 6.5 | 20.0 | ||||
31 [174] [175] | ![]() | 6.2 | 15.0 | VII |
Strongest magnitude | 9.0 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 9.0 Mw ![]() 4,000 deaths |
Total fatalities | 4,000 |
Number by magnitude | |
9.0+ | 1 |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 18 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [176] | ![]() | 6.9 | 170.7 | ||||
4 [177] [178] [179] [180] | ![]() | 9.0 | 21.6 | VII | One of the largest earthquakes of all time. The 1952 Severo-Kurilsk earthquake triggered a major tsunami. Information on the disaster was sparse due to secrecy by the Soviet Union government. Estimated death tolls for the tsunami range from 4,000 to as much as 17,000. Major damage was caused in the area. Hawaii saw some damage from the waves. Many aftershocks followed but to prevent cluttering only magnitude 6.5 or greater ones are included. | 4,000 | |
6 [181] [182] | ![]() | 6.8 | 52.1 | VI | |||
7 [183] [184] | ![]() | 6.3 | 15.0 | VI | |||
16 [185] [186] | ![]() | 6.1 | 35.0 | VI | |||
20 [187] [188] | ![]() | 6.3 | 35.0 | IV | |||
22 [189] [190] | ![]() | 6.2 | 6.0 | VII | |||
28 [191] | ![]() | 6.8 | 107.1 | ||||
29 [192] > | ![]() | 6.8 | 20.0 |
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 | 15 |
Date (YYYY-MM-DD) | Time (UTC) | Location | Depth | Magnitude | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1952-11-04 | 20:48:52 | northern Kuril Islands | 30.0 km (19 mi) | 6.9 | [220] |
1952-11-04 | 22:13:04 | off east coast of Kamchatka | 22.7 km (14 mi) | 6.5 | [221] |
1952-11-04 | 22:19:28 | off east coast of Kamchatka | 20.0 km (12 mi) | 6.7 | [222] |
1952-11-05 | 05:57:53 | northern Kuril Islands | 32.8 km (20 mi) | 6.5 | [223] |
1952-11-05 | 13:06:31 | off the east coast of Kamchatka | 25.0 km (16 mi) | 6.5 | [224] |
1952-11-06 | 19:46:06 | off the east coast of Kamchatka | 30.0 km (19 mi) | 6.6 | [225] |
1952-11-07 | 14:08:36 | northern Kuril Islands | 54.1 km (34 mi) | 6.5 | [226] |
1952-11-08 | 19:33:25 | east of Kuril Islands | 20.0 km (12 mi) | 6.5 | [227] |
1952-11-13 | 07:58:54 | northern Kuril Islands | 45.0 km (28 mi) | 6.5 | [228] |
1952-11-29 | 08:22:43 | off the east coast of Kamchatka | 23.7 km (15 mi) | 6.7 | [229] |