Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1974
| |||
Strongest magnitude | ![]() | ||
---|---|---|---|
Deadliest | ![]() | ||
Total fatalities | 25,442 | ||
Number by magnitude | |||
9.0+ | 0 | ||
4.0–4.9 | 2619 | ||
This is a list of earthquakes in 1974. 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. Activity was once again below average with 11 events reaching magnitude 7+. The largest came in October in Peru when a magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck Lima. Other magnitude 7.0+ events shook the Caribbean, China and the southwest Pacific Islands. Two events dominated the 25,000 deaths during 1974. China was struck by a magnitude 6.8 event in May with upwards of 20,000 deaths. At the end of the year, Pakistan was struck by a modest 6.2 magnitude earthquake causing 5,300 deaths. Gabon in central Africa was hit by a rare earthquake in September.
Rank | Death toll | Magnitude | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 20,000 | 6.8 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 11.0 | May 10 |
2 | 5,300 | 6.2 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 22.0 | December 28 |
3 | 78 | 8.1 | ![]() | IX (Violent) | 13.0 | October 3 |
4 | 30 | 6.5 | ![]() | IX (Violent) | 2.0 | May 8 |
5 | 11 | 7.3 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 12.0 | July 13 |
6 | 10 | 6.3 | ![]() | VI (Strong) | 98.0 | January 5 |
Rank | Magnitude | Death toll | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 7.6 | 78 | ![]() | IX (Violent) | 13.0 | October 3 |
2 | 7.5 | 0 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 47.0 | October 8 |
= 3 | 7.3 | 11 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 12.0 | July 13 |
= 3 | 7.3 | 0 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 9.0 | August 11 |
= 4 | 7.2 | 0 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 34.0 | January 10 |
= 4 | 7.2 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 33.0 | July 2 |
= 4 | 7.2 | 0 | ![]() | V (Moderate) | 48.0 | October 23 |
= 4 | 7.2 | 0 | ![]() | VI (Strong) | 6.0 | November 9 |
= 5 | 7.1 | 0 | ![]() | IX (Violent) | 40.0 | February 1 |
= 5 | 7.1 | 0 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 36.0 | August 18 |
6 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 34.0 | January 31 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.2 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.3 Mw ![]() 10 deaths |
Total fatalities | 10 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 4 |
5.0–5.9 | 124 |
4.0–4.9 | 180 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
2 [1] [2] | ![]() | 6.4 | 105.0 | VI | |||
5 [3] [4] [5] | ![]() | 6.3 | 98.0 | VI | 10 people were killed and at least 101 were injured. Major damage was caused. | 10 | 101+ |
10 [6] [7] | ![]() | 7.2 | 34.0 | VII | Aftershock of December 28, 1973 event. | ||
26 [8] [9] | ![]() | 6.1 | 33.0 | VI | |||
30 [10] [11] | ![]() | 6.3 | 33.0 | V | |||
31 [12] [13] | ![]() | 7.0 | 34.0 | VIII |
Strongest magnitude | 7.1 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 5.2 Mw ![]() 2 deaths |
Total fatalities | 2 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 6 |
5.0–5.9 | 127 |
4.0–4.9 | 175 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [14] [15] [16] | ![]() | 5.2 | 29.0 | V | 2 people were killed and 20 were injured. | 2 | 20 |
1 [17] [18] [19] | ![]() | 7.1 | 40.0 | IX | A tsunami caused some damage in the area. | ||
6 [20] [21] | ![]() | 6.5 | 2.0 | V | |||
16 [22] [23] | ![]() | 6.0 | 25.0 | rowspan="2"| Doublet earthquake. | |||
16 [24] [25] | ![]() | 6.1 | 33.0 | VI | |||
19 [26] [27] | ![]() | 6.1 | 17.0 | VII | |||
28 [28] | ![]() | 6.2 | 15.0 | ||||
28 [29] [30] | ![]() | 6.2 | 46.0 | VI |
Strongest magnitude | 6.6 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 3 |
5.0–5.9 | 95 |
4.0–4.9 | 190 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
3 [31] [32] | ![]() | 6.1 | 17.0 | VI | |||
9 [33] [34] | ![]() | 6.5 | 50.0 | rowspan="2"| Doublet earthquake. Aftershock of February 1 event. | |||
9 [35] [36] | ![]() | 6.6 | 33.0 | V |
Strongest magnitude | 6.1 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 5.0 Mw ![]() 4 deaths |
Total fatalities | 4 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 1 |
5.0–5.9 | 95 |
4.0–4.9 | 221 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
18 [37] [38] [39] | ![]() | 5.0 | 24.0 | V | 4 people were killed and 10 were injured. Some damage was caused. | 4 | 10 |
22 [40] [41] [42] | ![]() | 5.5 | 33.0 | VII | Some damage was caused. | ||
27 [43] | ![]() | 6.1 | 45.0 | Although not a notable event this was the largest of 2 events globally that measured above magnitude 6.0 during the month. |
Strongest magnitude | 6.8 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.8 Mw ![]() 20,000 deaths |
Total fatalities | 20,030 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 8 |
5.0–5.9 | 114 |
4.0–4.9 | 249 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
8 [44] [45] [46] | ![]() | 6.5 | 2.0 | IX | The 1974 Izu Peninsula earthquake left 30 people dead and 102 injured. 134 homes were destroyed. | 30 | 102 |
10 [47] [48] [49] | ![]() | 6.8 | 11.0 | VII | Deadliest event of 1974. 20,000 people were killed in the 1974 Zhaotong earthquake. Many homes were destroyed. | 20,000 | |
15 [50] [51] | ![]() | 6.1 | 56.0 | V | |||
17 [52] [53] | ![]() | 6.0 | 111.0 | IV | |||
17 [54] [55] | ![]() | 6.0 | 131.0 | IV | |||
26 [56] [57] | ![]() | 6.0 | 13.0 | IV | Foreshock. | ||
26 [58] | ![]() | 6.2 | 7.0 | ||||
31 [59] [60] | ![]() | 6.3 | 33.0 | V |
Strongest magnitude | 6.1 2 events reached this magnitude. |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.1 Mw ![]() 5 deaths |
Total fatalities | 5 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 2 |
5.0–5.9 | 122 |
4.0–4.9 | 204 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
12 [61] [62] [63] | ![]() | 6.1 | 34.0 | VIII | 5 people were killed and at least 1 person was injured. Some damage was caused with costs reaching $2.5 million (1974 rate). | 5 | 1+ |
20 [64] [65] | ![]() | 5.1 | 33.0 | VII | Some damage was caused. | ||
27 [66] [67] | ![]() | 6.1 | 70.0 | V |
Strongest magnitude | 7.3 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.3 Mw ![]() 11 deaths |
Total fatalities | 11 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 4 |
5.0–5.9 | 121 |
4.0–4.9 | 286 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [68] [69] [70] | ![]() | 5.9 | 13.0 | VI | Some damage was reported. | ||
2 [71] | ![]() | 7.2 | 33.0 | ||||
3 [72] | ![]() | 6.6 | 33.0 | Aftershock. | |||
4 [73] [74] | ![]() | 6.7 | 33.0 | VIII | |||
8 [75] [76] | ![]() | 6.0 | 35.0 | IV | |||
13 [77] [78] [79] | ![]() | 7.3 | 12.0 | VIII | 11 people were killed and at least 1 person was injured. Some damage was caused. | 11 | 1+ |
30 [80] [81] | ![]() | 6.5 | 211.0 | V |
Strongest magnitude | 7.3 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 5.6 Mw ![]() 2 deaths |
Total fatalities | 2 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 2 |
5.0–5.9 | 138 |
4.0–4.9 | 274 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
3 [82] [83] [84] | ![]() | 5.6 | 58.0 | VI | 2 people died and 17 were injured. Some damage was caused. | 2 | 17 |
8 [85] [86] | ![]() | 6.0 | 32.0 | V | |||
11 [87] [88] | ![]() | 7.3 | 9.0 | VIII | |||
11 [89] [90] | ![]() | 6.1 | 9.0 | VII | Aftershock of China event. | ||
18 [91] [92] [93] | ![]() | 7.1 | 36.0 | VIII | Some damage was caused. |
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 | 3 |
5.0–5.9 | 96 |
4.0–4.9 | 199 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
7 [94] | ![]() | 6.5 | 33.0 | ||||
23 [95] [96] [97] | ![]() | 6.2 | 33.0 | VIII | Some damage was caused. | ||
27 [98] [99] | ![]() | 6.7 | 43.0 | VII |
Strongest magnitude | 7.6 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.6 Mw ![]() 78 deaths |
Total fatalities | 78 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 3 |
6.0–6.9 | 3 |
5.0–5.9 | 96 |
4.0–4.9 | 242 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
3 [100] [101] [102] | ![]() | 7.6 | 13.0 | IX | Largest event of 1974. 78 people were killed and 2,414 were injured in the 1974 Lima earthquake. Many homes were destroyed. Costs were $10 million (1974 rate). | 78 | 2,414 |
8 [103] [104] [105] | ![]() | 7.5 | 47.0 | VIII | 4 injuries were reported and some damage was caused by the 1974 Lesser Antilles earthquake. | 4 | |
10 [106] [107] | ![]() | 6.0 | 21.0 | VI | |||
23 [108] [109] | ![]() | 7.2 | 48.0 | V | |||
27 [110] [111] | ![]() | 6.3 | 36.0 | VI | |||
29 [112] | ![]() | 6.5 | 117.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.2 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 4 |
5.0–5.9 | 91 |
4.0–4.9 | 171 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
8 [113] [114] | ![]() | 6.0 | 132.0 | IV | |||
9 [115] [116] | ![]() | 7.2 | 6.0 | VI | Aftershock of October 3 event. | ||
9 [117] [118] | ![]() | 6.1 | 51.0 | V | |||
19 [119] [120] | ![]() | 6.1 | 18.0 | V | |||
20 [121] [122] | ![]() | 6.9 | 33.0 | VII |
Strongest magnitude | 6.9 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.2 Mw ![]() 5,300 deaths |
Total fatalities | 5,300 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 6 |
5.0–5.9 | 99 |
4.0–4.9 | 228 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
2 [123] [124] [125] | ![]() | 5.4 | 36.0 | V | Some damage was caused. | ||
3 [126] [127] | ![]() | 6.5 | 33.0 | V | |||
4 [128] [129] | ![]() | 6.9 | 20.0 | VII | |||
5 [130] | ![]() | 6.0 | 162.0 | ||||
24 [131] [132] | ![]() | 6.8 | 33.0 | VI | |||
28 [133] [134] [135] | ![]() | 6.2 | 22.0 | VIII | 5,300 people were killed and 17,000 were hurt in the 1974 Hunza earthquake. Many homes were damaged or destroyed. Costs were $3.255 million (1974 rate). | 5,300 | 17,000 |
31 [136] [137] | ![]() | 6.1 | 39.0 | VI |