Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1978
| |||
Strongest magnitude | 2 events reached magnitude 7.7. | ||
---|---|---|---|
Deadliest | ![]() | ||
Total fatalities | 20,220 | ||
Number by magnitude | |||
9.0+ | 0 | ||
8.0–8.9 | 0 | ||
7.0–7.9 | 12 | ||
6.0–6.9 | 81 | ||
5.0–5.9 | 1,535 | ||
4.0–4.9 | 2,579 | ||
This is a list of earthquakes in 1978. Only earthquakes of magnitude 6 or above are included, unless they result in damage and/or casualties, or are notable for some other reason. Events in remote areas will not be listed but included in statistics and maps. Countries are entered on the lists in order of their status in this particular year. 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. Another fairly quiet year as far as earthquakes above magnitude 7.0. The largest of the 12 events in this threshold were magnitude 7.7 and both Japan and Mexico experienced these. The Kuril Islands in Russia had a robust series of large earthquakes in March. Iran dominated the death toll for the year. One event in September left 20,000 dead. Japan had two destructive events including the joint largest event of the year. October had no events above magnitude 6 which is an unusual quiescence.
Rank | Death toll | Magnitude | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 20,000 | 7.4 | ![]() | IX (Violent) | 33.0 | September 16 |
2 | 76 | 6.2 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 33.0 | December 14 |
3 | 50 | 6.4 | ![]() | IX (Violent) | 3.0 | June 20 |
4 | 29 | 6.6 | ![]() | IX (Violent) | 14.0 | January 14 |
5 | 28 | 7.7 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 44.0 | June 12 |
6 | 17 | 4.9 | ![]() | VI (Strong) | 10.0 | July 29 |
Listed are earthquakes with at least 10 dead.
Rank | Magnitude | Death toll | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
= 1 | 7.7 | 28 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 44.0 | June 12 |
= 1 | 7.7 | 9 | ![]() | IX (Violent) | 18.0 | November 29 |
2 | 7.6 | 0 | ![]() | VI (Strong) | 33.0 | March 24 |
3 | 7.5 | 0 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 33.0 | March 23 |
= 4 | 7.4 | 0 | ![]() | VI (Strong) | 17.0 | July 23 |
= 4 | 7.4 | 20,000 | ![]() | IX (Violent) | 33.0 | September 16 |
5 | 7.2 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 33.0 | February 9 |
= 6 | 7.1 | 0 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 33.0 | March 24 |
= 6 | 7.1 | 0 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 33.0 | November 5 |
= 7 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 33.0 | June 17 |
= 7 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 56.0 | August 23 |
= 7 | 7.0 | 2 | ![]() | VI (Strong) | 33.0 | December 23 |
Listed are earthquakes with at least 7.0 magnitude.
Strongest magnitude | 6.6 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.6 Mw ![]() 29 deaths |
Total fatalities | 29 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 7 |
5.0–5.9 | 142 |
4.0–4.9 | 182 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
6 [1] [2] | ![]() | 6.0 | 33.0 | VI | |||
14 [3] [4] [5] | ![]() | 6.6 | 14.0 | IX | 25 people were killed and 4 were reported missing in the 1978 Izu Ōshima earthquake. 129 people were injured. 85 homes were destroyed and 544 were damaged. | 29 | 129 |
25 [6] [7] | ![]() | 6.4 | 44.0 | VI |
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 | 6 |
5.0–5.9 | 139 |
4.0–4.9 | 171 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
9 [8] | ![]() | 7.2 | 33.0 | ||||
11 [9] | ![]() | 6.6 | 33.0 | Aftershock. | |||
15 [10] [11] [12] | ![]() | 4.8 | 33.0 | IV | 20 people were injured and 525 homes were destroyed. | 20 | |
20 [13] [14] [15] | ![]() | 6.1 | 60.0 | VIII | 30 people were hurt and some damage was caused. | 30 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.6 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 5.6 Mw ![]() 2 deaths |
Total fatalities | 4 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 3 |
6.0–6.9 | 15 |
5.0–5.9 | 210 |
4.0–4.9 | 311 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
3 [16] | ![]() | 6.2 | 33.0 | ||||
4 [17] | ![]() | 6.3 | 33.0 | ||||
4 [18] [19] | ![]() | 6.2 | 78.0 | V | |||
7 [20] | ![]() | 6.9 | 439.0 | A magnitude 6.0 foreshock occurred seconds earlier. | |||
11 [21] [22] [23] | ![]() | 5.6 | 33.0 | V | 2 people died and at least 51 were injured. Some damage was reported. | 2 | 51 |
16 [24] [25] [26] | ![]() | 5.9 | 33.0 | VII | 1 person was killed and some damage was caused. | 1 | |
19 [27] [28] [29] | ![]() | 6.4 | 36.0 | VII | 1 person died and 25 people were injured. Some damage was caused. | 1 | 25 |
22 [30] [31] | ![]() | 6.7 | 33.0 | IV | Beginning of a series of large events. | ||
22 [32] [33] [34] | ![]() | 6.6 | 33.0 | V | |||
23 [35] [36] [37] | ![]() | 6.8 | 46.0 | V | |||
23 [38] [39] [40] | ![]() | 7.5 | 33.0 | VIII | A small tsunami was observed. | ||
23 [41] | ![]() | 6.8 | 33.0 | ||||
24 [42] [43] [44] | ![]() | 7.6 | 33.0 | VI | A small tsunami was observed. | ||
24 [45] [46] [47] | ![]() | 7.1 | 33.0 | VIII | Major damage was reported. |
Strongest magnitude | 6.7 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 5.7 Mw ![]() 5 deaths |
Total fatalities | 5 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 7 |
5.0–5.9 | 105 |
4.0–4.9 | 230 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
4 [48] [49] | ![]() | 6.0 | 27.0 | VII | |||
4 [50] [51] | ![]() | 6.1 | 35.0 | IV | |||
10 [52] | ![]() | 6.7 | 33.0 | ||||
12 [53] [54] | ![]() | 6.6 | 14.0 | V | |||
13 [55] [56] [57] | ![]() | 5.7 | 33.0 | VI | Some damage was caused. | ||
15 [58] [59] [60] | ![]() | 5.7 | 14.0 | VI | 5 people were killed. 400 homes were destroyed. | 5 | |
29 [61] [62] | ![]() | 6.2 | 46.0 | V |
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 | 5 |
5.0–5.9 | 133 |
4.0–4.9 | 243 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
13 [63] [64] | ![]() | 6.7 | 160.0 | V | |||
23 [65] [66] | ![]() | 6.3 | 161.0 | V | |||
23 [67] [68] [69] | ![]() | 5.7 | 10.0 | VII | 2 people were injured and some damage was caused. | 2 | |
24 [70] [71] | ![]() | 6.7 | 25.0 | IV | |||
26 [72] | ![]() | 6.8 | 33.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.7 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.4 Mw ![]() 50 deaths |
Total fatalities | 78 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 9 |
5.0–5.9 | 98 |
4.0–4.9 | 229 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
3 [73] [74] | ![]() | 4.9 | 19.0 | IV | 1 person was injured and some damage was caused. | 1 | |
4 [75] [76] | ![]() | 6.0 | 33.0 | VI | |||
11 [77] | ![]() | 6.2 | 33.0 | ||||
11 [78] | ![]() | 6.1 | 10.0 | ||||
12 [79] [80] [81] | ![]() | 7.7 | 44.0 | VIII | Largest event of 1978. The 1978 Miyagi earthquake caused 28 deaths and nearly 10,000 injuries. Property damage was extensive with costs reaching $865 million (1978 rate). A tsunami was generated. | 28 | 10,000 |
14 [82] [83] | ![]() | 6.3 | 40.0 | IV | Aftershock. | ||
14 [84] [85] | ![]() | 6.9 | 24.0 | VII | |||
16 [86] [87] | ![]() | 6.0 | 139.0 | IV | |||
17 [88] | ![]() | 7.0 | 33.0 | ||||
20 [89] [90] [91] | ![]() | 6.4 | 3.0 | IX | The 1978 Thessaloniki earthquake resulted in 50 deaths and at least 101 injuries. Major damage was caused with costs being $250 million (1978 rate). | 50 | 101 |
24 [92] [93] | ![]() | 6.4 | 33.0 | V |
Strongest magnitude | 7.4 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 4.9 Mw ![]() 17 deaths |
Total fatalities | 17 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 4 |
5.0–5.9 | 112 |
4.0–4.9 | 206 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
22 [94] [95] | ![]() | 6.0 | 43.0 | VI | |||
23 [96] [97] | ![]() | 7.4 | 17.0 | VI | |||
29 [98] [99] [100] | ![]() | 4.9 | 10.0 | VI | 17 people were killed and a further 101 were injured. Some damage was caused. | 17 | 101 |
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 | 6 |
5.0–5.9 | 118 |
4.0–4.9 | 166 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
3 [101] [102] [103] | ![]() | 6.3 | 58.0 | IX | 13 people were hurt and major damage was caused. | 13 | |
3 [104] [105] | ![]() | 6.1 | 33.0 | V | |||
13 [106] [107] [108] | ![]() | 5.1 | 18.0 | VII | 65 people were injured and property damage worth $15 million (1978 rate) was caused by the 1978 Santa Barbara earthquake. | 65 | |
23 [109] [110] | ![]() | 7.0 | 56.0 | VIII |
Strongest magnitude | 7.4 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.4 Mw ![]() 20,000 deaths |
Total fatalities | 20,000 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 7 |
5.0–5.9 | 121 |
4.0–4.9 | 210 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [111] [112] | ![]() | 6.2 | 33.0 | VI | |||
2 [113] [114] | ![]() | 6.1 | 109.0 | V | |||
3 [115] [116] [117] | ![]() | 5.3 | 8.0 | VIII | Many (at least 101) people were injured. Major damage was reported with costs reaching $150 million (1978 rate). | 101 | |
6 [118] [119] | ![]() | 6.0 | 198.0 | IV | |||
15 [120] | ![]() | 6.0 | 0.0 | Nuclear test. | |||
16 [121] [122] [123] | ![]() | 7.4 | 33.0 | IX | Deadliest event of 1978. Around 20,000 people were killed in the 1978 Tabas earthquake. Major property damage was caused with costs reaching $50 million (1978 rate). | 20,000 | |
23 [124] [125] | ![]() | 6.3 | 201.0 | IV |
Strongest magnitude | 5.9 Mw 2 events |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 0 |
5.0–5.9 | 120 |
4.0–4.9 | 136 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
Strongest magnitude | 7.7 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.7 Mw ![]() 9 deaths |
Total fatalities | 9 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 6 |
5.0–5.9 | 125 |
4.0–4.9 | 221 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [126] [127] [128] | ![]() | 6.8 | 40.0 | IX | Major damage was caused. | ||
4 [129] [130] | ![]() | 6.1 | 34.0 | VI | |||
4 [131] [132] | ![]() | 6.9 | 33.0 | VI | Beginning of a series of events. | ||
4 [133] [134] | ![]() | 6.0 | 33.0 | V | |||
5 [135] [136] | ![]() | 7.1 | 33.0 | VII | |||
7 [137] [138] | ![]() | 6.1 | 33.0 | VI | |||
29 [139] | ![]() | 6.0 | 0.0 | Nuclear test. | |||
29 [140] [141] [142] | ![]() | 7.7 | 18.0 | IX | Largest event in 1978. 9 people were killed in the 1978 Oaxaca earthquake. At least 101 people were injured. Some damage was caused. | 9 | 101 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.0 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.2 Mw ![]() 76 deaths |
Total fatalities | 78 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 9 |
5.0–5.9 | 112 |
4.0–4.9 | 274 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [143] [144] | ![]() | 6.0 | 93.0 | IV | |||
6 [145] [146] [147] | ![]() | 6.7 | 91.0 | VIII | Some damage was caused. | ||
12 [148] [149] | ![]() | 6.9 | 33.0 | IX | |||
14 [150] [151] [152] | ![]() | 6.2 | 33.0 | VII | 76 people were killed and at least 51 were injured. Some damage was caused. | 76 | 51 |
18 [153] | ![]() | 6.0 | 0.0 | Nuclear test. | |||
21 [154] [155] | ![]() | 6.3 | 30.0 | V | |||
23 [156] [157] [158] | ![]() | 7.0 | 33.0 | VI | 2 people were killed and 3 were injured. | 2 | 3 |