Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1970
| |||
Strongest magnitude | ![]() | ||
---|---|---|---|
Deadliest | ![]() | ||
Total fatalities | 78,365 | ||
Number by magnitude | |||
9.0+ | 0 | ||
This is a list of earthquakes in 1970. 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. In terms of magnitude 7.0+ events this year produced 17 which is average for any year. The death toll however was much higher than preceding years. Three events in particular contributed to this. Firstly, in January, China suffered from an event which caused 10,000 deaths. Then at the end of March, Turkey had a magnitude 6.9 earthquake resulting in over 1,000 deaths. Finally, Peru had its worst disaster on May 31 when an earthquake of magnitude 7.9 helped to cause nearly 67,000 deaths.
Rank | Estimated cost | Magnitude | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 66,794 | 7.9 | ![]() | X (Extreme) | 45.0 | May 31 |
2 | 10,000 | 7.1 | ![]() | X (Extreme) | 11.3 | January 4 |
3 | 1,086 | 6.9 | ![]() | X (Extreme) | 25.0 | March 28 |
4 | 220 | 6.7 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 15.0 | July 30 |
5 | 101 | 6.7 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 15.0 | May 14 |
6 | 82 | 7.2 | ![]() | X (Extreme) | 25.0 | December 10 |
7 | 26 | 5.4 | ![]() | ( ) | 3.0 | March 23 |
8 | 18 | 6.9 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 60.0 | October 31 |
9 | 15 | 7.4 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 25.0 | April 7 |
10 | 12 | 5.9 | ![]() | IX (Violent) | 39.8 | February 14 |
Rank | Magnitude | Death toll | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 8.0 | 1 | ![]() | IV (Light) | 644.8 | July 31 |
2 | 7.9 | 66,794 | ![]() | X (Extreme) | 45.0 | May 31 |
= 3 | 7.4 | 15 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 25.0 | April 7 |
= 3 | 7.4 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 18.3 | June 24 |
= 4 | 7.3 | 0 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 35.0 | April 29 |
= 4 | 7.3 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 15.0 | June 11 |
= 4 | 7.3 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 647.6 | August 30 |
= 5 | 7.2 | 0 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 40.0 | January 10 |
= 5 | 7.2 | 0 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 10.0 | June 15 |
= 5 | 7.2 | 82 | ![]() | X (Extreme) | 25.0 | December 10 |
= 6 | 7.1 | 10,000 | ![]() | X (Extreme) | 11.3 | January 4 |
= 6 | 7.1 | 0 | ![]() | III (Weak) | 164.1 | February 28 |
= 6 | 7.1 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 390.0 | May 27 |
= 7 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 15.0 | June 14 |
= 7 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 45.0 | July 25 |
= 7 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 76.1 | July 29 |
= 7 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 30.0 | December 2 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.2 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.1 Mw ![]() 10,000 deaths |
Total fatalities | 10,000 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 7 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
4 [1] [2] [3] | ![]() | 7.1 | 11.3 | X | The 1970 Tonghai earthquake caused major destruction across the area. 10,000 people were killed. Many homes were destroyed or damaged. | 10,000 | |
6 [4] [5] | ![]() | 6.3 | 15.0 | VI | |||
8 [6] | ![]() | 6.8 | 199.4 | ||||
10 [7] [8] | ![]() | 7.2 | 40.0 | VII | |||
11 [9] [10] | ![]() | 6.0 | 45.0 | V | Aftershock. | ||
14 [11] [12] | ![]() | 6.0 | 25.0 | VI | |||
20 [13] | ![]() | 6.8 | 70.0 | ||||
20 [14] [15] | ![]() | 6.4 | 35.1 | VI | |||
26 [16] | ![]() | 6.5 | 35.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.1 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 5.9 Mw ![]() 12 deaths |
Total fatalities | 15 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 7 |
5.0–5.9 | 1 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
2 [17] | ![]() | 6.0 | 29.7 | ||||
5 [18] [19] [20] | ![]() | 6.7 | 15.0 | IX | 3 people were killed and at least 51 were injured. Some damage was caused. | 3 | 51+ |
6 [21] [22] | ![]() | 6.0 | 25.0 | VI | Aftershock. | ||
6 [23] [24] | ![]() | 6.1 | 10.0 | VII | |||
13 [25] [26] | ![]() | 6.5 | 622.8 | II | |||
14 [27] [28] [29] | ![]() | 5.9 | 39.8 | IX | 12 people were killed and many homes were destroyed. | 12 | |
25 [30] [31] | ![]() | 6.1 | 30.0 | IV | |||
26 [32] | ![]() | 6.1 | 26.2 | ||||
28 [33] [34] | ![]() | 7.1 | 164.1 | III |
Strongest magnitude | 6.9 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.9 Mw ![]() 1,086 deaths |
Total fatalities | 1,117 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 11 |
5.0–5.9 | 1 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
4 [35] [36] | ![]() | 6.1 | 35.0 | V | |||
9 [37] [38] | ![]() | 6.6 | 30.0 | V | |||
10 [39] | ![]() | 6.2 | 54.5 | ||||
11 [40] [41] [42] | ![]() | 6.0 | 39.0 | V | Minor damage was caused. | ||
14 [43] [44] [45] | ![]() | 5.4 | 17.1 | IV | 5 people were killed and many homes were destroyed. | 5 | |
15 [46] [47] | ![]() | 6.0 | 116.7 | IV | |||
23 [48] [49] [50] | ![]() | 5.4 | 20.1 | VII | 26 people were killed and 200 injuries. Some damage was caused. | 26 | 200 |
24 [51] | ![]() | 6.0 | 10.0 | ||||
27 [52] [53] | ![]() | 6.7 | 25.0 | VI | |||
28 [54] [55] | ![]() | 6.0 | 60.0 | V | |||
28 [56] [57] [58] | ![]() | 6.9 | 25.0 | X | 1,086 people died and 1,174 were injured in the 1970 Gediz earthquake. 8,229 homes were damaged or destroyed. Costs were $55 million (1970 rate). | 1,086 | 1,174 |
29 [59] [60] | ![]() | 6.6 | 237.2 | IV | |||
30 [61] [62] | ![]() | 6.8 | 50.0 | VII |
Strongest magnitude | 7.4 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.4 Mw ![]() 15 deaths |
Total fatalities | 16+ |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 10 |
5.0–5.9 | 1 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
7 [63] [64] [65] [66] | ![]() | 7.4 | 25.0 | VIII | 15 people were killed and over 200 were injured. Some damage was caused. A tsunami was triggered resulting in some damage. | 15 | 200 |
8 [67] [68] | ![]() | 6.3 | 20.0 | VII | |||
8 [69] [70] | ![]() | 6.5 | 25.0 | VI | Aftershock. | ||
12 [71] [72] | ![]() | 6.9 | 22.5 | IX | Aftershock. | ||
15 [73] [74] | ![]() | 6.2 | 25.0 | V | Aftershock. | ||
16 [75] [76] | ![]() | 6.7 | 15.0 | IV | |||
19 [77] [78] | ![]() | 6.1 | 18.4 | VII | Aftershock of March 28 event. | ||
19 [79] [80] | ![]() | 6.0 | 17.5 | VII | Aftershock of March 28 event. | ||
20 [81] | ![]() | 6.6 | 238.7 | ||||
23 [82] [83] [84] | ![]() | 5.7 | 20.0 | VIII | At least 1 person was killed and 43 were injured. 150 homes were damaged or destroyed. | 1+ | 43 |
29 [85] [86] | ![]() | 6.6 | 35.0 | V | Foreshock. | ||
29 [87] [88] | ![]() | 7.3 | 35.0 | VIII | |||
30 [89] [90] | ![]() | 6.6 | 35.0 | V | Aftershock. |
Strongest magnitude | 7.9 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.9 Mw ![]() 66,794 deaths |
Total fatalities | 66,895 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 5 |
5.0–5.9 | 0 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
9 [91] [92] | ![]() | 6.2 | 180.0 | IV | |||
14 [93] [94] [95] | ![]() | 6.1 | 12.5 | VII | Some homes were damaged and some were destroyed. Foreshock. | ||
14 [96] [97] [98] | ![]() | 6.7 | 15.0 | VIII | The 1970 Dagestan earthquake killed at least 31 people and injured 1,000 others. Many homes were damaged or destroyed. | 31 | 1,000+ |
15 [99] [100] | ![]() | 6.3 | 7.0 | VIII | |||
27 [101] | ![]() | 7.1 | 390.0 | ||||
31 [102] [103] [104] | ![]() | 7.9 | 45.0 | X | Deadliest event of 1970. The 1970 Ancash earthquake was the worst disaster in Peruvian history. 66,794 people died and 50,000 were injured. A large part of the destruction was caused by an avalanche. Many homes were damaged or destroyed. Costs were $530 million (1970 rate). | 66,794 | 50,000 |
31 [105] [106] | ![]() | 6.1 | 50.6 | VI | Aftershock. |
Strongest magnitude | 7.4 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 4 |
6.0–6.9 | 9 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [107] [108] | ![]() | 6.2 | 45.4 | V | Aftershock of May 31 event. | ||
4 [109] [110] | ![]() | 6.4 | 54.9 | VI | Aftershock of May 31 event. | ||
5 [111] [112] [113] | ![]() | 6.3 | 15.0 | VIII | 5,000 homes were destroyed. | ||
11 [114] [115] | ![]() | 6.6 | 110.6 | VI | |||
11 [116] | ![]() | 7.3 | 15.0 | ||||
14 [117] [118] | ![]() | 7.0 | 15.0 | VII | |||
15 [119] [120] | ![]() | 7.2 | 10.0 | VII | |||
17 [121] [122] | ![]() | 6.0 | 108.6 | IV | |||
19 [123] [124] | ![]() | 6.5 | 60.0 | VI | |||
22 [125] | ![]() | 6.0 | 30.3 | ||||
24 [126] | ![]() | 7.4 | 18.3 | ||||
25 [127] [128] | ![]() | 6.2 | 45.0 | VI | |||
28 [129] [130] | ![]() | 6.6 | 85.8 | VI |
Strongest magnitude | 8.0 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.7 Mw ![]() 220 deaths |
Total fatalities | 222 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 1 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 10 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
2 [131] [132] | ![]() | 6.0 | 52.0 | V | Aftershock of May 31 event. | ||
2 [133] | ![]() | 4.9 | 27.0 | 1 death was caused. 150 homes were damaged or destroyed. | 1 | ||
8 [134] [135] | ![]() | 6.1 | 143.0 | IV | |||
16 [136] | ![]() | 6.1 | 20.0 | ||||
17 [137] | ![]() | 6.3 | 35.0 | ||||
19 [138] [139] | ![]() | 6.2 | 20.0 | VI | |||
25 [140] [141] [142] | ![]() | 7.0 | 45.0 | VIII | 13 people were injured and some damage was caused. | 13 | |
26 [143] [144] | ![]() | 6.2 | 45.0 | V | Aftershock. | ||
27 [145] [146] | ![]() | 6.3 | 95.0 | V | |||
29 [147] [148] | ![]() | 6.0 | 14.7 | VII | |||
29 [149] [150] | ![]() | 7.0 | 79.1 | VII | |||
30 [151] [152] [153] | ![]() | 6.7 | 15.0 | VIII | 220 people were killed and another 220 were injured. 2,000 homes were damaged or destroyed. Costs were around $8 million (1970 rate). | 220 | 220 |
30 [154] | Gulf of Aden | 6.6 | 15.0 | ||||
31 [155] [156] [157] | ![]() | 8.0 | 644.8 | IV | Largest event of 1970. The 1970 Colombia earthquake left 1 person dead and at least 51 injured. Damage was caused in the immediate area. Due to the depth and size of the event the shock was felt several thousand miles away. | 1 | 51+ |
Strongest magnitude | 7.3 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 8 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
10 [158] | ![]() | 6.4 | 45.0 | Foreshock. | |||
11 [159] [160] | ![]() | 6.9 | 45.0 | VII | |||
12 [161] | ![]() | 6.0 | 45.0 | Aftershock. | |||
12 [162] [163] | ![]() | 6.5 | 45.0 | V | Aftershock. | ||
12 [164] [165] | ![]() | 6.5 | 60.0 | VI | |||
18 [166] [167] | ![]() | 6.0 | 25.0 | VII | |||
27 [168] | ![]() | 6.0 | 10.0 | ||||
28 [169] [170] | ![]() | 6.5 | 60.0 | VI | |||
30 [171] | ![]() | 7.3 | 647.6 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.6 Mw 2 events |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
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 [172] | ![]() | 6.6 | 25.0 | ||||
3 [173] [174] | ![]() | 6.1 | 25.0 | V | |||
5 [175] | ![]() | 6.5 | 580.6 | Aftershock of August 30 event. | |||
7 [176] | ![]() | 5.5 | 5.0 | VII | 8 people were injured and some damage was caused. | 8 | |
14 [177] [178] | ![]() | 6.4 | 48.6 | V | |||
16 [179] | ![]() | 6.0 | 45.0 | ||||
23 [180] [181] | ![]() | 6.4 | 35.0 | V | |||
23 [182] [183] | ![]() | 6.1 | 35.0 | IV | |||
26 [184] [185] [186] | ![]() | 6.6 | 15.0 | rowspan="2"| 2 people were injured. 104 homes were destroyed with costs reaching $400,000 (1970 rate). Doublet earthquake. | 2 | ||
27 [187] [188] | ![]() | 6.5 | 15.0 | VII | |||
30 [189] [190] [191] | ![]() | 6.0 | 30.0 | VII | 2 homes collapsed and many sustained damage. |
Strongest magnitude | 6.9 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.9 Mw ![]() 18 deaths |
Total fatalities | 18 |
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 [192] [193] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | V | |||
11 [194] | ![]() | 6.5 | 25.0 | ||||
14 [195] | ![]() | 6.4 | 32.5 | ||||
14 [196] [197] | ![]() | 6.1 | 35.0 | V | Aftershock. | ||
16 [198] [199] | ![]() | 6.2 | 15.0 | VII | |||
31 [200] [201] [202] [203] | ![]() | 6.9 | 60.0 | VIII | 18 people were killed and 20 injured in the 1970 New Guinea earthquake. 3 of the deaths were from a canoe capsizing. Damage costs reached $1.75 million with 800 homes being damaged or destroyed. | 18 | 20 |
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 | 8 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
8 [204] [205] | ![]() | 6.1 | 40.0 | V | |||
8 [206] [207] | ![]() | 6.7 | 35.0 | VIII | |||
12 [208] [209] | ![]() | 6.3 | 15.0 | VII | Aftershock of October 31 event. | ||
13 [210] [211] | ![]() | 6.5 | 13.5 | VII | |||
14 [212] [213] | ![]() | 6.2 | 29.5 | VI | |||
28 [214] [215] | ![]() | 6.0 | 45.2 | VI | |||
28 [216] [217] | ![]() | 6.0 | 125.0 | IV |
Strongest magnitude | 7.2 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.2 Mw ![]() 82 deaths |
Total fatalities | 82 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 7 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
2 [218] | ![]() | 7.0 | 30.0 | ||||
4 [219] [220] | ![]() | 6.5 | 39.2 | VI | |||
6 [221] [222] | ![]() | 6.5 | 40.0 | V | |||
7 [223] | ![]() | 6.7 | 184.6 | ||||
8 [224] [225] | ![]() | 6.5 | 50.7 | VII | |||
10 [226] [227] [228] | ![]() | 7.2 | 25.0 | X | The 1970 Peru-Ecuador earthquake caused 82 deaths and 350 injuries. Damage costs were $6 million (1970 rate). | 82 | 350 |
19 [229] [230] | ![]() | 6.2 | 42.3 | IV | |||
28 [231] | ![]() | 6.6 | 55.0 | ||||
29 [232] [233] | ![]() | 6.7 | 30.0 | VII |