Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1964
| |||
Strongest magnitude | ![]() | ||
---|---|---|---|
Deadliest | ![]() | ||
Total fatalities | 389 | ||
Number by magnitude | |||
9.0+ | 1 | ||
This is a list of earthquakes in 1964. 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. Maximum intensities are indicated on the Mercalli intensity scale and are sourced from United States Geological Survey (USGS) ShakeMap data. Alaska had the largest event of the year both in terms of magnitude and death toll. In March a great magnitude 9.2 earthquake struck the southern part of the state. This was the largest earthquake in United States' history and currently as of 2021 [update] ranks as 3rd largest globally. The quake and subsequent tsunami resulted in 139 deaths in total. In spite of such a large event there were only 11 other magnitude 7.0 + events which is below normal. Japan, Taiwan and Mexico had earthquakes which resulted in a number of deaths. Indonesia and Papua New Guinea experienced high activity this year with a cluster of magnitude 6.0 + events hitting throughout the year.
Rank | Death toll | Magnitude | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 139 | 9.2 | ![]() | XI (Extreme) | 25.0 | March 28 |
2 | 107 | 6.5 | ![]() | VI (Strong) | 48.1 | January 18 |
3 | 78 | 7.3 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 93.3 | July 6 |
4 | 26 | 7.6 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 15.0 | June 16 |
5 | 19 | 6.8 | ![]() | X (Extreme) | 27.4 | October 6 |
Rank | Magnitude | Death toll | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 9.2 | 139 | ![]() | XI (Extreme) | 25.0 | March 28 |
2 | 7.8 | 0 | ![]() | I (Not felt) | 125.0 | May 26 |
= 3 | 7.6 | 26 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 15.0 | June 16 |
= 3 | 7.6 | 0 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 130.0 | July 9 |
= 3 | 7.6 | 0 | ![]() | I (Not felt) | 20.0 | September 12 |
4 | 7.4 | 0 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 130.0 | March 28 |
5 | 7.3 | 78 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 93.3 | July 6 |
= 6 | 7.1 | 0 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 71.3 | June 23 |
= 6 | 7.1 | 0 | ![]() | V (Moderate) | 70.0 | September 15 |
= 7 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 60.0 | April 2 |
= 7 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | V (Moderate) | 20.0 | May 7 |
= 7 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | IV (Light) | 388.3 | August 13 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.9 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.5 Mw ![]() 107 deaths |
Total fatalities | 115 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 7 |
5.0–5.9 | 1 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
6 [1] [2] | ![]() | 6.2 | 55.0 | V | |||
8 [3] | ![]() | 5.2 | 90.0 | 8 people were killed and 27 were injured. Some damage was caused. | 8 | 27 | |
10 [4] [5] | ![]() | 6.1 | 55.0 | V | |||
18 [6] [7] [8] | ![]() | 6.5 | 48.1 | VI | 107 people were killed and 479 were injured in the 1964 Baihe earthquake. 3,000 homes were destroyed. | 107 | 479 |
20 [9] [10] | ![]() | 6.9 | 137.5 | VI | |||
22 [11] [12] | ![]() | 6.2 | 70.0 | VI | |||
26 [13] [14] | ![]() | 6.5 | 117.7 | V | |||
28 [15] [16] | ![]() | 6.6 | 195.5 | IV |
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 |
5.0–5.9 | 1 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
5 [17] [18] | ![]() | 6.0 | 45.0 | IV | |||
6 [19] [20] | ![]() | 6.9 | 20.0 | V | |||
13 [21] | ![]() | 5.4 | 15.0 | VII | Some damage was reported. | ||
14 [22] [23] | ![]() | 6.3 | 70.0 | VI | |||
27 [24] [25] | ![]() | 6.0 | 100.6 | V |
Strongest magnitude | 9.2 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 9.2 Mw ![]() 139 deaths |
Total fatalities | 139 |
Number by magnitude | |
9.0+ | 1 |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 9 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
15 [26] [27] | Strait of Gibraltar | 6.6 | 25.0 | V | |||
16 [28] [29] | ![]() | 6.1 | 142.2 | IV | |||
21 [30] | ![]() | 6.8 | 359.1 | ||||
28 [31] [32] [33] [34] | ![]() | 9.2 | 25.0 | XI | The 1964 Alaska earthquake was the largest in United States history. The earthquake itself caused 15 deaths and fairly extensive damage to Anchorage, Alaska and surrounding areas. A large tsunami led to 124 further deaths. Total property damage costs were $400 million (1964 rate). To prevent cluttering only aftershocks above magnitude 6.5 will be listed. | 139 | |
28 [35] [36] | ![]() | 6.5 | 25.0 | VI | Aftershock. | ||
28 [37] | ![]() | 6.5 | 15.0 | Aftershock. | |||
28 [38] [39] | ![]() | 7.4 | 130.0 | VII | |||
28 [40] | ![]() | 6.6 | 25.0 | Aftershock. | |||
28 [41] | ![]() | 6.5 | 25.0 | Aftershock. | |||
28 [42] [43] | ![]() | 6.5 | 15.0 | VI | Aftershock. | ||
30 [44] | ![]() | 6.7 | 18.6 | Aftershock. |
Strongest magnitude | 7.0 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.0 Mw ![]() 3 deaths |
Total fatalities | 3 |
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 [45] [46] [47] | ![]() | 7.0 | 60.0 | VII | Major damage was caused with many homes being destroyed. | ||
3 [48] [49] | ![]() | 6.0 | 65.8 | V | Too far south of previous event to be consider an aftershock. | ||
4 [50] | ![]() | 6.8 | 18.4 | Aftershock. | |||
4 [51] | ![]() | 6.5 | 25.0 | Aftershock. | |||
13 [52] [53] [54] | ![]() | 6.0 | 15.0 | VIII | 3 people were killed and major damage was caused. | 3 | |
23 [55] [56] | ![]() | 6.4 | 15.0 | VIII | |||
24 [57] [58] | ![]() | 6.8 | 108.0 | VI | |||
26 [59] [60] | ![]() | 6.1 | 20.0 | VI |
Strongest magnitude | 7.8 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.5 Mw ![]() 1 death |
Total fatalities | 1 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 6 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
6 [61] [62] | ![]() | 6.0 | 50.0 | V | |||
7 [63] [64] [65] | ![]() | 6.5 | 33.8 | VIII | 1 person died and 19 were injured. Major damage was reported. | 1 | 19 |
7 [66] [67] [68] | ![]() | 7.0 | 20.0 | V | 2 homes were destroyed. | ||
7 [69] [70] | ![]() | 6.5 | 25.0 | V | Aftershock. | ||
19 [71] [72] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | VI | |||
26 [73] | ![]() | 7.8 | 125.0 | ||||
30 [74] [75] | ![]() | 6.2 | 45.6 | IV | |||
31 [76] [77] | ![]() | 6.7 | 48.6 | VI |
Strongest magnitude | 7.6 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.6 Mw ![]() 26 deaths |
Total fatalities | 34 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 6 |
5.0–5.9 | 1 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
11 [78] [79] | ![]() | 6.0 | 20.0 | V | |||
14 [80] [81] [82] | ![]() | 5.8 | 10.0 | VIII | 8 people died and some damage was caused. | 8 | |
15 [83] [84] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | VI | |||
16 [85] [86] [87] | ![]() | 7.6 | 15.0 | VIII | 26 people were killed and 450 were injured in the 1964 Niigata earthquake. Property damage was extensive with costs of $80 million (1964 rate). 2,250 homes were damaged or destroyed. | 26 | 450 |
16 [88] [89] | ![]() | 6.5 | 10.0 | VI | Aftershock. | ||
16 [90] [91] | ![]() | 6.2 | 15.0 | VI | Aftershock. | ||
23 [92] [93] | ![]() | 7.1 | 71.3 | VIII | |||
28 [94] [95] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | VI | |||
30 [96] [97] | ![]() | 6.6 | 20.0 | VI |
Strongest magnitude | 7.6 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.3 Mw ![]() 78 deaths |
Total fatalities | 78 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 10 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
5 [98] [99] | ![]() | 6.3 | 15.0 | V | |||
5 [100] | ![]() | 6.5 | 35.0 | ||||
6 [101] [102] | ![]() | 6.5 | 15.0 | V | |||
6 [103] [104] [105] | ![]() | 7.3 | 93.3 | VII | The 1964 Guerrero earthquake left 78 people dead and caused major damage. | 78 | |
8 [106] [107] | ![]() | 6.9 | 190.0 | V | |||
9 [108] | ![]() | 6.5 | 20.0 | ||||
9 [109] [110] | ![]() | 7.6 | 130.0 | VII | |||
12 [111] [112] | ![]() | 6.0 | 12.5 | VI | Aftershock of June event. | ||
17 [113] [114] | ![]() | 6.2 | 152.7 | IV | |||
24 [115] [116] | ![]() | 6.8 | 30.0 | V | |||
25 [117] [118] | ![]() | 6.5 | 30.0 | VII | |||
31 [119] [120] | ![]() | 6.5 | 35.0 | VI |
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 | 2 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
13 [121] [122] | ![]() | 7.0 | 388.3 | IV | |||
18 [123] [124] | ![]() | 6.7 | 15.0 | V | |||
23 [125] [126] | ![]() | 6.2 | 50.0 | V |
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 | 4 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [127] | ![]() | 4.7 | 0.0 | 23 homes were destroyed. Unknown depth. | |||
4 [128] [129] | ![]() | 6.1 | 35.0 | V | |||
5 [130] [131] | ![]() | 6.2 | 65.0 | V | |||
12 [132] [133] | ![]() | 6.6 | 108.8 | VI | |||
12 [134] | ![]() | 7.6 | 20.0 | ||||
15 [135] [136] | ![]() | 7.1 | 70.0 | V | |||
29 [137] | ![]() | 6.0 | 20.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.9 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.8 Mw ![]() 19 deaths |
Total fatalities | 19 |
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 | ||||||
2 [138] [139] | ![]() | 6.1 | 26.5 | V | |||
6 [140] [141] [142] | ![]() | 6.8 | 27.4 | X | 19 people died and $5 million (1964 rate) in property damage was caused. | 19 | |
11 [143] [144] | ![]() | 6.2 | 25.0 | VI | |||
16 [145] | ![]() | 6.5 | 26.0 | ||||
18 [146] | ![]() | 6.9 | 586.3 | ||||
21 [147] [148] | ![]() | 6.8 | 25.0 | VII |
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 | 10 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
2 [149] [150] | ![]() | 6.0 | 117.1 | IV | |||
7 [151] [152] | ![]() | 6.1 | 100.0 | V | |||
17 [153] [154] [155] | ![]() | 6.8 | 55.0 | VIII | Some damage was caused. Another large event struck a few days later in an example of a doublet earthquake. | ||
18 [156] [157] | ![]() | 6.1 | 55.0 | V | |||
18 [158] | ![]() | 6.0 | 10.0 | ||||
19 [159] [160] | ![]() | 6.8 | 35.0 | VII | |||
24 [161] [162] | ![]() | 6.3 | 35.0 | V | |||
25 [163] [164] | ![]() | 6.0 | 617.5 | II | |||
26 [165] [166] | ![]() | 6.2 | 15.0 | VI | |||
27 [167] [168] | ![]() | 6.0 | 15.0 | VI | Aftershock of June event. |
Strongest magnitude | 6.7 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 [169] [170] | ![]() | 6.1 | 60.0 | VI | |||
9 [171] | ![]() | 6.3 | 582.7 | ||||
10 [172] [173] | ![]() | 6.3 | 30.0 | V | |||
28 [174] | ![]() | 6.7 | 589.2 |