Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1966
| |||
Strongest magnitude | ![]() | ||
---|---|---|---|
Deadliest | ![]() | ||
Total fatalities | 10,000+ | ||
Number by magnitude | |||
9.0+ | 0 | ||
This is a list of earthquakes in 1966. 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. With only 9 events above magnitude 7.0+ this was a fairly quiet year. The largest event was in Peru in October and measured 8.1. Turkey had the deadliest event of the year when in August a magnitude 6.8 earthquake caused nearly 2,400 deaths. China had a number of deadly earthquakes especially in March. DR Congo also had an earthquake in March which resulted in 140 deaths. Japan and large portions of Indonesia were notably quiet this year.
Rank | Death toll | Magnitude | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 8,064 | 6.8 | ![]() | X (Extreme) | 20.0 | March 22 |
2 | 2,394 | 6.8 | ![]() | IX (Violent) | 24.7 | August 19 |
3 | 140 | 6.6 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 29.3 | March 20 |
4 | 125 | 8.1 | ![]() | IX (Violent) | 40.0 | October 17 |
5 | 101 | 6.5 | ![]() | IX (Violent) | 25.0 | March 7 |
6 | 80 | 6.0 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 25.9 | June 27 |
7 | 15 | 5.6 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 27.0 | August 15 |
8 | 12 | 4.6 | ![]() | ( ) | 64.0 | July 12 |
9 | 10 | 6.0 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 38.0 | March 7 |
9 | 10 | 5.1 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 3 ~8 | April 26 |
Rank | Magnitude | Death toll | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 8.1 | 125 | ![]() | IX (Violent) | 40.0 | October 17 |
2 | 7.8 | 0 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 55.0 | December 31 |
= 3 | 7.7 | 0 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 115.0 | September 8 |
= 3 | 7.7 | 3 | ![]() | IX (Violent) | 25.0 | December 28 |
4 | 7.5 | 7 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 30.0 | March 12 |
= 5 | 7.1 | 0 | ![]() | VI (Strong) | 45.0 | June 15 |
= 5 | 7.1 | 0 | ![]() | VI (Strong) | 35.0 | December 31 |
= 6 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | III (Weak) | 531.8 | June 22 |
= 6 | 7.0 | 0 | central Mid-Atlantic Ridge | ( ) | 15.0 | October 19 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.0 Mw 2 events |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 2 |
5.0–5.9 | 1 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
11 [1] | ![]() | 6.0 | 15.0 | ||||
28 [2] [3] | ![]() | 6.0 | 10.0 | VII | |||
31 [4] | ![]() | 5.1 | 0.0 | VII | Some homes were destroyed. Unknown depth. |
Strongest magnitude | 6.9 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.2 Mw ![]() 1 death |
Total fatalities | 1 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 9 |
5.0–5.9 | 1 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
4 [5] [6] | ![]() | 6.4 | 180.0 | IV | |||
5 [7] [8] [9] | ![]() | 6.2 | 10.0 | VII | 1 person died and 60 people were injured. 450 homes were destroyed. Property damage costs were $4 million (1966 rate). | 1 | 60 |
5 [10] [11] [12] | ![]() | 6.4 | 10.0 | IX | Many homes were destroyed. | ||
7 [13] [14] | ![]() | 6.5 | 10.0 | rowspan="2"| Doublet earthquake. | |||
7 [15] [16] | ![]() | 6.5 | 10.0 | VIII | |||
10 [17] | ![]() | 6.5 | 45.7 | ||||
13 [18] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
13 [19] [20] [21] | ![]() | 5.9 | 10.0 | VII | Aftershock of February 5 event. Some homes were destroyed. | ||
16 [22] [23] | ![]() | 6.6 | 35.0 | VI | |||
22 [24] [25] | ![]() | 6.9 | 35.0 | VI |
Strongest magnitude | 7.5 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.6 Mw ![]() 140 death |
Total fatalities | 359 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 11 |
5.0–5.9 | 2 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
6 [26] | ![]() | 5.2 | 0.0 | VII | 11 homes were destroyed. Unknown depth. This was a foreshock to a series of large and destructive events over the coming weeks. | ||
6 [27] [28] | ![]() | 6.7 | 20.0 | VII | |||
6 [29] [30] | ![]() | 6.3 | 20.0 | VII | Aftershock. | ||
7 [31] | ![]() | 6.0 | 38.0 | VIII | 10 people were killed and major damage was caused. | 10 | |
7 [32] [33] [34] | ![]() | 6.5 | 25.0 | IX | At least 101 people were killed and extensive damage was caused in the 1966 Xingtai earthquake. | 101+ | |
12 [35] [36] [37] | ![]() | 7.5 | 30.0 | VII | The 1966 Hualien earthquake left 7 people dead and 10 injured. Some homes were destroyed. | 7 | 10 |
17 [38] | ![]() | 6.7 | 625.0 | ||||
19 [39] | ![]() | 5.6 | 0.0 | VI | Some homes were destroyed. Unknown depth. Aftershock of March 7 event. Foreshock of March 22 event. | ||
20 [40] [41] [42] | ![]() | 6.6 | 29.3 | VIII | 140 people were killed and at least 101 injured in the 1966 Toro earthquake. Property damage costs were $1.5 million (1966 rate). | 140 | 101+ |
22 [43] [44] | ![]() | 6.2 | 20.0 | VII | Foreshock. | ||
22 [45] [46] [47] | ![]() | 6.8 | 20.0 | X | The 1966 Xingtai earthquake caused at least 101 deaths and further damage. | 101+ | |
23 [48] [49] | ![]() | 6.2 | 49.5 | V | |||
26 [50] [51] [52] | ![]() | 6.0 | 20.0 | VII | Some homes were destroyed. Aftershock. | ||
29 [53] [54] | ![]() | 6.0 | 20.0 | VII | Aftershock. |
Strongest magnitude | 6.5 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 5.1 Mw ![]() 10 deaths |
Total fatalities | 10 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 7 |
5.0–5.9 | 2 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
8 [55] [56] | ![]() | 6.2 | 46.6 | VI | |||
10 [57] [58] | ![]() | 6.1 | 60.5 | VI | |||
12 [59] [60] | ![]() | 6.2 | 35.0 | VII | |||
16 [61] | ![]() | 6.2 | 15.0 | ||||
20 [62] | ![]() | 5.3 | 0.0 | 22 homes were destroyed. Unknown depth. Aftershock of March 22 event. | |||
20 [63] [64] | ![]() | 6.0 | 20.0 | VII | |||
23 [65] [66] | ![]() | 6.5 | 20.0 | VII | |||
23 [67] [68] | ![]() | 6.1 | 35.0 | V | Aftershock. | ||
26 [69] | ![]() | 5.1 | 3.0~8.0 | VII | The 1966 Tashkent earthquake caused 10 deaths and major damage. Costs were $300 million (1966 rate). It is unknown if the depth is correct or not. | 10 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.4 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 | ||||||
1 [70] [71] | ![]() | 6.4 | 161.0 | IV | |||
2 [72] [73] | ![]() | 6.1 | 35.0 | V | |||
5 [74] [75] | ![]() | 6.2 | 50.0 | V | |||
9 [76] | ![]() | 6.0 | 25.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.1 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.0 Mw ![]() 80 deaths |
Total fatalities | 80 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 9 |
5.0–5.9 | 0 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
6 [77] [78] | ![]() | 6.6 | 215.6 | IV | |||
6 [79] [80] | ![]() | 6.0 | 25.0 | V | |||
7 [81] [82] | ![]() | 6.2 | 20.0 | VI | |||
7 [83] | ![]() | 6.8 | 35.0 | ||||
13 [84] | ![]() | 6.7 | 241.6 | ||||
15 [85] [86] | ![]() | 7.1 | 45.0 | VI | |||
15 [87] [88] | ![]() | 6.8 | 45.0 | VII | Aftershock. | ||
22 [89] [90] | ![]() | 7.0 | 531.8 | III | |||
27 [91] [92] [93] | ![]() | 6.0 | 25.9 | VIII | 80 people were killed and 100 were injured. 5,200 homes were destroyed. Damage costs were $1 million (1966 rate). Foreshock. | 80 | 100 |
27 [94] [95] | ![]() | 6.3 | 25.0 | VI | |||
29 [96] | ![]() | 6.0 | 45.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.8 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 4.6 Mw ![]() 12 deaths |
Total fatalities | 12 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 3 |
5.0–5.9 | 0 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [97] [98] | ![]() | 6.4 | 112.5 | V | |||
4 [99] [100] | ![]() | 6.8 | 15.0 | III | |||
10 [101] | ![]() | 6.1 | 35.6 | ||||
12 [102] | ![]() | 4.6 | 64.0 | 12 people were killed and 20 were injured. Major damage was caused. | 12 | 20 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.9 Mw 2 events |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.8 Mw ![]() 2,394 deaths |
Total fatalities | 2,409 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 10 |
5.0–5.9 | 1 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [103] [104] | ![]() | 6.0 | 20.2 | VII | Foreshock. | ||
1 [105] [106] | ![]() | 6.2 | 25.0 | VII | Foreshock. | ||
1 [107] [108] | ![]() | 6.9 | 25.0 | VIII | |||
7 [109] | ![]() | 6.9 | 19.7 | ||||
7 [110] [111] | ![]() | 6.5 | 15.0 | VI | |||
10 [112] | ![]() | 6.0 | 98.0 | ||||
15 [113] [114] [115] | ![]() | 5.6 | 27.0 | VIII | 15 people were killed and some damage was caused. | 15 | |
15 [116] [117] | ![]() | 6.0 | 19.8 | VI | |||
19 [118] [119] [120] | ![]() | 6.8 | 24.7 | IX | 2,394 people were killed in the 1966 Varto earthquake. Extensive property damage was caused with costs being around $20 million (1966 rate). | 2,394 | |
20 [121] [122] | ![]() | 6.2 | 25.0 | VII | Aftershock. | ||
21 [123] [124] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | V |
Strongest magnitude | 7.7 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 5.9 Mw ![]() |
Total fatalities | 1 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 3 |
5.0–5.9 | 3 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [125] | ![]() | 5.9 | 17.0 | VIII | 1 person was killed and 25 were injured. Damage costs reached $14 million (1966 rate) with 180 homes collapsing. | 1 | 25 |
8 [126] [127] | ![]() | 7.7 | 115.0 | VII | |||
12 [128] [129] | ![]() | 5.9 | 10.0 | VII | Some damage was reported to buildings and infrastructure in the area. | ||
15 [130] [131] | ![]() | 6.2 | 30.0 | V | |||
19 [132] | ![]() | 5.4 | 0.0 | VII | Some damage was caused. Unknown depth. | ||
25 [133] [134] | ![]() | 6.0 | 80.3 | V | |||
28 [135] [136] [137] | ![]() | 6.3 | 20.0 | IX | Extensive damage was caused. |
Strongest magnitude | 8.1 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 8.1 Mw ![]() 125 deaths |
Total fatalities | 126 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 1 |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 2 |
5.0–5.9 | 2 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
2 [138] | ![]() | 5.2 | 0.0 | Major damage was caused. Unknown depth. | |||
7 [139] | ![]() | 6.9 | 150.0 | ||||
17 [140] [141] [142] | ![]() | 8.1 | 40.0 | IX | The 1966 Peru earthquake left 125 people dead and 3,000 injured. Major property damage was reported. Costs were $35 million (1966 rate). | 125 | 3,000 |
19 [143] | central Mid-Atlantic Ridge | 7.0 | 15.0 | ||||
27 [144] | ![]() | 6.7 | 10.0 | ||||
29 [145] [146] [147] | ![]() | 5.9 | 25.0 | VII | 1 person died and 23 were injured. Many homes were destroyed. | 1 | 23 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.3 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 | ||||||
3 [148] | Mona Passage | 6.0 | 26.5 | ||||
10 [149] [150] | ![]() | 6.1 | 113.0 | IV | |||
12 [151] [152] | ![]() | 6.3 | 35.0 | VI |
Strongest magnitude | 7.8 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.7 Mw ![]() 3 deaths |
Total fatalities | 3 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 3 |
6.0–6.9 | 5 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [153] [154] | ![]() | 6.8 | 125.0 | VI | |||
14 [155] [156] | ![]() | 6.3 | 65.0 | VI | |||
20 [157] | ![]() | 6.3 | 578.0 | ||||
21 [158] | ![]() | 6.3 | 230.0 | ||||
23 [159] [160] | ![]() | 6.6 | 30.0 | V | |||
28 [161] [162] [163] | ![]() | 7.7 | 25.0 | IX | 3 people were killed and 6 were injured. Many homes were destroyed. Damage costs were $400,000 (1966 rate). | 3 | 6 |
31 [164] [165] | ![]() | 7.8 | 55.0 | VII | |||
31 [166] [167] | ![]() | 7.1 | 35.0 | VI | Aftershock. |