Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1965
| |||
Strongest magnitude | ![]() | ||
---|---|---|---|
Deadliest | ![]() | ||
Total fatalities | 669 | ||
Number by magnitude | |||
9.0+ | 0 | ||
This is a list of earthquakes in 1965. 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 would not 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. A fairly busy year with 18 magnitude 7.0+ events. Two of these were above magnitude 8 and struck within 10 days of each other. The largest of the year was a magnitude 8.7 which struck the Rat Islands, Alaska in February. No deaths were reported from this event. New Hebrides had a series of destructive events in August. Of the 667 deaths in 1965, most came from an event in Chile in March which had 400 fatalities.
Rank | Death toll | Magnitude | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 400 | 7.4 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 70.0 | March 28 |
2 | 125 | 5.9 | ![]() | VI (Strong) | 15.0 | May 3 |
3 | 71 | 8.2 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 20.0 | January 24 |
4 | 32 | 6.1 | ![]() | X (Extreme) | 20.0 | April 5 |
5 | 20 | 5.1 | ![]() | - | 52.0 | February 10 |
Rank | Magnitude | Death toll | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 8.7 | 0 | ![]() | X (Extreme) | 30.3 | February 4 |
2 | 8.2 | 71 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 20.0 | January 24 |
3 | 7.8 | 0 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 45.0 | July 2 |
= 4 | 7.7 | 0 | ![]() | V (Moderate) | 20.0 | March 30 |
= 4 | 7.7 | 0 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 120.0 | May 20 |
5 | 7.6 | 0 | ![]() | IX (Violent) | 30.0 | August 11 |
= 6 | 7.4 | 0 | ![]() | VI (Strong) | 207.8 | March 14 |
= 6 | 7.4 | 400 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 70.0 | March 28 |
= 6 | 7.4 | 0 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 25.0 | August 13 |
= 6 | 7.4 | 6 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 25.0 | August 23 |
= 7 | 7.3 | 0 | ![]() | I (Not felt) | 30.0 | February 4 |
= 7 | 7.3 | 0 | ![]() | I (Not felt) | 10.0 | August 2 |
= 8 | 7.2 | 0 | ![]() | VI (Strong) | 58.0 | June 11 |
= 8 | 7.2 | 0 | ![]() | IX (Violent) | 25.0 | August 11 |
= 8 | 7.2 | 0 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 35.0 | August 13 |
= 9 | 7.0 | 1 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 35.0 | February 23 |
= 9 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | VI (Strong) | 40.7 | June 11 |
= 9 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 27.8 | September 4 |
Strongest magnitude | 8.2 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 8.2 Mw ![]() 71 deaths |
Total fatalities | 75 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 1 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 2 |
5.0–5.9 | 2 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [1] | ![]() | 5.5 | 10.0 | 4 people were killed and 350 were injured. Damage costs reached $2 million (1965 rate) and 2,500 homes were destroyed. | 4 | 350 | |
5 [2] | ![]() | 6.2 | 20.0 | ||||
10 [3] [4] | ![]() | 6.7 | 35.0 | VI | |||
12 [5] | ![]() | 5.5 | 10.0 | VII | Many homes were destroyed. | ||
24 [6] [7] [8] [9] | ![]() | 8.2 | 20.0 | VIII | 71 people were killed and 3,000 homes destroyed in the 1965 Ceram Sea earthquake. A tsunami was generated which caused much of the damage. | 71 |
Strongest magnitude | 8.7 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 5.1 Mw ![]() 20 deaths |
Total fatalities | 21 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 1 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 4 |
5.0–5.9 | 1 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
2 [10] [11] | ![]() | 6.0 | 15.0 | VI | |||
4 [12] [13] [14] [15] | ![]() | 8.7 | 30.3 | VI | The 1965 Rat Islands earthquake was one of the largest on record. Despite this only minor damage was caused due to the remote location. A tsunami was triggered. Property damage costs were $10,000 (1965 rate). Several large aftershocks followed. Only magnitude 6.5+ events will be listed to prevent cluttering. | ||
4 [16] | ![]() | 7.3 | 30.0 | Aftershock. | |||
4 [17] | ![]() | 6.5 | 30.0 | Aftershock. | |||
10 [18] [19] | ![]() | 5.1 | 52.0 | 20 people died and major damage was caused. | 20 | ||
23 [20] [21] | ![]() | 7.0 | 35.0 | VII | 1 person was killed and 5 were injured. Damage was caused in the area. | 1 | 5 |
25 [22] [23] | ![]() | 6.2 | 40.0 | VII | |||
27 [24] | ![]() | 6.0 | 10.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.7 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.4 Mw ![]() 400 deaths |
Total fatalities | 408 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 3 |
6.0–6.9 | 8 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
3 [25] [26] | ![]() | 6.7 | 14.8 | VII | |||
9 [27] [28] [29] | ![]() | 6.1 | 15.0 | VII | 2 people were killed and major damage was caused. Costs were $8 million (1965 rate). | 2 | |
14 [30] [31] [32] | ![]() | 7.4 | 207.8 | VII | 2 injuries were caused and some damage was reported. | 2 | |
19 [33] [34] | ![]() | 6.0 | 40.0 | VI | |||
21 [35] [36] | ![]() | 6.3 | 28.9 | VI | Aftershock of January 24 event. | ||
22 [37] | ![]() | 6.5 | 30.5 | ||||
22 [38] [39] | ![]() | 6.2 | 48.8 | VI | |||
23 [40] | ![]() | 6.2 | 25.0 | Aftershock. | |||
28 [41] [42] [43] | ![]() | 7.4 | 70.0 | VIII | 400 people were killed in the 1965 Valparaíso earthquake and the El Cobre dam failures. 350 people were injured in the surrounding region by damaged buildings and fires. A dam collapsed sending a torrent of water onto a village called El Cobre. Costs were $125 million (1965 rate). | 400 | 350 |
30 [44] [45] | ![]() | 7.7 | 20.0 | V | Aftershock. | ||
31 [46] [47] [48] | ![]() | 6.8 | 75.0 | X | 6 deaths were caused as well as some property damage. | 6 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.7 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.1 Mw ![]() 32 deaths |
Total fatalities | 40 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 9 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
5 [49] [50] [51] | ![]() | 6.1 | 20.0 | X | 32 people were killed and 200 were injured. Many homes were destroyed. | 32 | 200 |
6 [52] [53] | ![]() | 6.2 | 25.0 | VI | |||
9 [54] [55] | ![]() | 6.2 | 65.0 | V | |||
10 [56] | ![]() | 6.5 | 543.7 | ||||
16 [57] [58] | ![]() | 6.0 | 15.0 | VI | |||
19 [59] [60] [61] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | VI | 1 person died and another 4 were hurt. Some damage was caused. | 1 | 4 |
26 [62] | ![]() | 6.1 | 37.1 | ||||
27 [63] [64] | ![]() | 6.1 | 60.0 | V | |||
29 [65] [66] [67] | ![]() | 6.7 | 59.0 | VIII | 7 people were killed in the 1965 Puget Sound earthquake. Extensive damage was caused with costs being maximum $28 million (1965 rate). | 7 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.7 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 5.9 Mw ![]() 125 deaths |
Total fatalities | 125 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 2 |
5.0–5.9 | 1 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
3 [68] [69] [70] | ![]() | 5.9 | 15.0 | VI | The 1965 San Salvador earthquake killed 125 people and injured at least 500. Major damage was reported with $35 million (1965 rate) in costs. | 125 | 500 |
4 [71] [72] | ![]() ![]() | 6.2 | 10.0 | VII | |||
17 [73] [74] | ![]() | 6.7 | 68.4 | VI | |||
20 [75] [76] | ![]() | 7.7 | 120.0 | VII |
Strongest magnitude | 7.2 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 5.9 Mw ![]() 2 deaths |
Total fatalities | 2 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 3 |
5.0–5.9 | 2 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
11 [77] [78] | ![]() | 7.0 | 40.7 | rowspan="2"| Doublet earthquake. Next event was less than 20 seconds later. | |||
11 [79] [80] | ![]() | 7.2 | 58.0 | VI | |||
13 [81] [82] | ![]() | 5.9 | 25.0 | VI | 2 deaths were reported and 200 homes were wrecked. | 2 | |
21 [83] [84] [85] | ![]() | 5.9 | 25.0 | VII | Major damage was caused. | ||
22 [86] [87] | ![]() | 6.3 | 40.0 | V | |||
23 [88] | ![]() | 6.5 | 20.0 | ||||
27 [89] | ![]() | 6.5 | 15.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.8 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.3 Mw ![]() 2 deaths |
Total fatalities | 2 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 3 |
5.0–5.9 | 1 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
2 [90] [91] [92] | ![]() | 7.8 | 45.0 | VII | Some damage was reported. A tsunami was recorded in the area. | ||
3 [93] [94] [95] | ![]() | 5.9 | 35.0 | VII | Some property damage was caused. | ||
6 [96] [97] [98] [99] | ![]() | 6.3 | 20.0 | VIII | 2 people were killed in total. 1 in the earthquake and another in a tsunami. 6 people were injured. Some damage was caused. | 2 | 6 |
15 [100] [101] | ![]() | 6.0 | 570.0 | II | |||
29 [102] | ![]() | 6.8 | 21.4 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.6 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.4 Mw ![]() 6 deaths |
Total fatalities | 6 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 6 |
6.0–6.9 | 9 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
2 [103] | ![]() | 7.3 | 10.0 | ||||
5 [104] [105] | ![]() | 6.5 | 60.0 | VI | |||
11 [106] [107] | ![]() | 7.2 | 25.0 | IX | The beginning of a series of large and destructive events. Events measuring below magnitude 6.5 will be excluded to avoid cluttering. | ||
11 [108] [109] | ![]() | 6.9 | 30.0 | VII | Foreshock. | ||
11 [110] [111] [112] | ![]() | 7.6 | 30.0 | IX | Mainshock of series. Some homes were damaged. | ||
12 [113] [114] | ![]() | 6.9 | 30.0 | VI | Part of ongoing series. | ||
12 [115] [116] | ![]() | 6.8 | 51.0 | VI | |||
13 [117] [118] | ![]() | 7.4 | 25.0 | VIII | Part of ongoing series. | ||
13 [119] [120] [121] | ![]() | 7.2 | 35.0 | VIII | This event came within 22 seconds of the previous event. A tsunami was generated resulting in some homes being destroyed. | ||
13 [122] [123] | ![]() | 6.0 | 30.0 | IV | |||
17 [124] [125] | ![]() | 6.1 | 65.0 | V | |||
20 [126] | ![]() | 6.7 | 330.0 | ||||
20 [127] [128] | ![]() | 6.7 | 124.0 | VI | |||
23 [129] [130] | ![]() | 6.0 | 15.0 | VI | |||
23 [131] [132] | ![]() | 7.4 | 25.0 | VIII | The 1965 Oaxaca earthquake left 6 people dead. Some homes were damaged. | 6 |
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 | 7 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
4 [133] [134] | ![]() | 7.0 | 27.8 | VII | |||
16 [135] [136] | ![]() | 6.0 | 160.0 | IV | |||
17 [137] | ![]() | 6.5 | 185.9 | ||||
17 [138] [139] | ![]() | 6.8 | 35.0 | VII | |||
18 [140] [141] | ![]() | 6.0 | 25.0 | IV | |||
21 [142] | ![]() | 6.7 | 197.6 | ||||
22 [143] [144] | ![]() | 6.3 | 35.0 | VI | Aftershock. | ||
28 [145] | ![]() | 6.5 | 25.0 |
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 | 3 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [146] | ![]() | 6.8 | 19.7 | ||||
18 [147] [148] | ![]() | 6.3 | 25.0 | VII | |||
25 [149] [150] | ![]() | 6.7 | 170.0 | V |
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 | 5 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
3 [151] | ![]() | 6.7 | 593.8 | ||||
13 [152] [153] [154] | ![]() | 6.5 | 35.0 | VIII | Many homes were destroyed. | ||
18 [155] | ![]() | 6.5 | 430.0 | ||||
21 [156] | ![]() | 6.5 | 133.3 | ||||
28 [157] [158] | ![]() | 6.2 | 25.0 | VII |
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 | 6 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
6 [159] | ![]() | 6.7 | 25.0 | ||||
7 [160] [161] | ![]() | 6.3 | 122.5 | V | |||
8 [162] | ![]() | 6.0 | 175.0 | ||||
9 [163] [164] | ![]() | 6.4 | 35.0 | VI | |||
15 [165] [166] | ![]() | 6.3 | 25.0 | VII | |||
22 [167] [168] | ![]() | 6.1 | 52.4 | V |