Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1982
| |||
Strongest magnitude | ![]() | ||
---|---|---|---|
Deadliest | ![]() | ||
Total fatalities | 3,388 | ||
Number by magnitude | |||
9.0+ | 0 | ||
8.0–8.9 | 0 | ||
7.0–7.9 | 8 | ||
6.0–6.9 | 82 | ||
5.0–5.9 | 1,417 | ||
4.0–4.9 | 3,198 | ||
This is a list of earthquakes in 1982. 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. The trend of below normal activity in the early part of the 1980s continued in 1982. The mid part of the year saw the bulk of the magnitude 7.0+ events. The largest event struck El Salvador in June and measured 7.3. This was a relatively modest magnitude as normally the largest events in a year are in the high end of the magnitude 7+ range or lower end of magnitude 8+ range. The number of deadly events was subdued for most of the year in line with the activity but spiked in December. Yemen suffered its worst event with 2,800 fatalities in a magnitude 6.3 event on December 13. A few days later Afghanistan had an earthquake which left 500 people dead.
Rank | Death toll | Magnitude | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2,800 | 6.3 | ![]() | VIII (Severe) | 5.0 | December 13 |
2 | 500 | 6.6 | ![]() | VI (Strong) | 36.0 | December 16 |
3 | 43 | 7.3 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 73.0 | June 19 |
4 | 13 | 5.9 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 33.0 | December 25 |
5 | 10 | 5.6 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 10.0 | June 15 |
Listed are earthquakes with at least 10 dead.
Rank | Magnitude | Death toll | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 7.3 | 43 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 73.0 | June 19 |
2 | 7.2 | 0 | ![]() | IV (Light) | 33.0 | December 19 |
3 | 7.1 | 0 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 45.7 | January 11 |
3 | 7.1 | 0 | ![]() | ( ) | 536.0 | July 4 |
3 | 7.1 | 0 | ![]() | V (Moderate) | 36.6 | July 23 |
4 | 7.0 | 9 | ![]() | VII (Very strong) | 33.8 | June 7 |
4 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | I (Not felt) | 10.0 | July 7 |
4 | 7.0 | 0 | ![]() | II (Weak) | 30.7 | August 5 |
Listed are earthquakes with at least 7.0 magnitude.
Strongest magnitude | 7.1 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 16 |
5.0–5.9 | 112 |
4.0–4.9 | 282 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [1] | ![]() | 6.7 | 22.2 | ||||
9 [2] [3] | ![]() | 5.7 | 10.1 | VII | Some damage was caused. This was an unusually large event for the area. | ||
11 [4] [5] [6] | ![]() | 7.1 | 45.7 | VII | Some injuries were caused as well as some damage. | 1 | |
11 [7] [8] [9] | ![]() | 5.4 | 7.0 | VII | Aftershock of January 9 event. Some damage was caused. | ||
12 [10] [11] [12] | ![]() | 6.0 | 6.4 | VII | 2 people were hurt and some damage was caused. | 2 | |
18 [13] [14] | ![]() | 6.8 | 10.0 | VI | |||
20 [15] [16] [17] | ![]() | 6.3 | 18.9 | rowspan="2"| Doublet earthquake. At least 52 people were hurt and damage was reported. | 52 | ||
20 [18] [19] | ![]() | 6.2 | 27.0 | VI | |||
20 [20] [21] | ![]() | 5.2 | 69.0 | IV | 6 people were injured whilst evacuating from a building. | 6 | |
23 [22] [23] | ![]() | 6.5 | 33.0 | VII | |||
23 [24] [25] | ![]() | 6.0 | 33.0 | VI | Aftershock. | ||
24 [26] [27] | ![]() | 6.4 | 37.2 | VI | Aftershock of January 11 event. | ||
30 [28] [29] | ![]() | 6.0 | 63.3 | V | Some damage was caused. |
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 | 2 |
5.0–5.9 | 96 |
4.0–4.9 | 243 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
10 [30] [31] [32] | ![]() | 5.5 | 39.8 | V | 17 people were injured and some damage was caused. $3.5 million (1982 rate) in costs were reported. | 17 | |
20 [33] [34] | ![]() | 6.8 | 36.0 | VII | |||
20 [35] | ![]() | 6.5 | 18.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.7 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.1 Mw ![]() 3 deaths |
Total fatalities | 5 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 9 |
5.0–5.9 | 127 |
4.0–4.9 | 256 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
11 [36] [37] | ![]() | 6.4 | 33.0 | V | |||
21 [38] [39] [40] | ![]() | 6.7 | 44.0 | X | The 1982 Urakawa earthquake caused some damage with costs reaching $1 million (1982 rate). 110 people were injured. A tsunami was generated. | 110 | |
23 [41] [42] | ![]() | 5.1 | 57.0 | IV | 2 people died and some damage was caused. | 2 | |
28 [43] [44] [45] | ![]() | 6.1 | 95.0 | VI | 3 people were killed and some damage was reported. Costs were $5 million (1982 rate). | 3 | |
29 [46] [47] | ![]() | 6.0 | 187.2 | IV |
Strongest magnitude | 6.5 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 5.0 Mw ![]() 1 death |
Total fatalities | 1 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 5 |
5.0–5.9 | 102 |
4.0–4.9 | 268 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
6 [48] [49] | ![]() | 6.5 | 64.8 | VI | |||
13 [50] [51] | ![]() | 5.0 | 5.0 | VII | 1 death and 20 injuries were caused by rockslides in a mine. | 1 | 20 |
25 [52] | ![]() | 6.1 | 0.0 | Nuclear test. | |||
27 [53] [54] | ![]() | 5.0 | 32.7 | IV | 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 | 4 |
5.0–5.9 | 118 |
4.0–4.9 | 286 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
2 [55] | ![]() | 6.5 | 25.4 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.3 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.3 Mw ![]() 43 deaths |
Total fatalities | 62 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 7 |
5.0–5.9 | 100 |
4.0–4.9 | 269 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
4 [56] [57] | ![]() | 4.6 | 10.0 | VI | Some people were hurt and damage was caused. | 1+ | |
7 [58] [59] | ![]() | 6.9 | 40.5 | rowspan="2"| Doublet earthquake with 2 events about 4 hours apart. Some damage was caused in the first event. 9 people were killed, at least 101 were injured, and further damage occurred in the second event in Ometepec. | |||
7 [60] [61] [62] | ![]() | 7.0 | 33.8 | VII | 9 | 101+ | |
15 [63] [64] [65] | ![]() | 5.6 | 10.0 | VII | 10 people were killed and another 5 were injured. Some damage was caused. | 10 | 5 |
19 [66] [67] [68] | ![]() | 7.3 | 73.0 | VII | Largest event in 1982. 43 people were killed in the 1982 El Salvador earthquake. 3 of the deaths were in neighbouring Guatemala. At least 101 people were injured. Major damage was caused in the area. Costs reached $5 million (1982 rate). | 43 | 101 |
30 [69] | ![]() | 6.9 | 33.0 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.1 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 3 |
6.0–6.9 | 5 |
5.0–5.9 | 112 |
4.0–4.9 | 274 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
4 [70] | ![]() | 6.1 | 0.0 | Nuclear test. | |||
4 [71] | ![]() | 7.1 | 536.0 | ||||
7 [72] | ![]() | 7.0 | 10.0 | ||||
23 [73] [74] | ![]() | 7.1 | 36.6 | V |
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 | 5 |
5.0–5.9 | 127 |
4.0–4.9 | 259 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
5 [75] | ![]() | 7.0 | 30.7 | ||||
6 [76] [77] [78] | ![]() | 5.9 | 45.7 | V | Major damage and landslides were reported. | ||
12 [79] [80] | ![]() | 6.5 | 45.0 | VI | |||
19 [81] [82] | ![]() | 6.8 | 10.0 | V | 3 people were hurt in Costa Rica. | 3 | |
26 [83] [84] | ![]() | 6.1 | 70.0 | V |
Strongest magnitude | 6.8 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 5.5 Mw ![]() 3 deaths |
Total fatalities | 3 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 11 |
5.0–5.9 | 130 |
4.0–4.9 | 250 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
6 [85] | ![]() | 6.8 | 175.8 | ||||
14 [86] [87] | ![]() | 6.4 | 36.8 | V | |||
15 [88] [89] | ![]() | 6.3 | 128.3 | V | |||
29 [90] [91] [92] | ![]() | 5.5 | 12.0 | VI | 3 people died and 2 others were injured. Major damage was caused in both Honduras and Guatemala. | 3 | 2 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.2 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
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 | 108 |
4.0–4.9 | 313 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
5 [93] [94] | ![]() | 6.0 | 17.6 | VI | |||
17 [95] [96] [97] | ![]() | 4.4 | 16.4 | VII | Extensive damage was caused with costs of $35 million (1982 rate). | ||
18 [98] [99] | ![]() | 4.3 | 10.0 | V | Further damage was reported. | ||
18 [100] [101] | ![]() | 4.0 | 19.8 | V | Further damage was reported. | ||
25 [102] [103] | ![]() | 5.4 | 33.0 | V | Some people were hurt and some damage was caused. |
Strongest magnitude | 6.7 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 5.0 Mw ![]() 3 deaths |
Total fatalities | 4 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
6.0–6.9 | 5 |
5.0–5.9 | 115 |
4.0–4.9 | 226 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
15 [104] [105] | ![]() | 5.0 | 10.0 | VI | 3 people were killed and 14 were injured. 10 homes were destroyed. | 3 | 14 |
16 [106] [107] [108] | ![]() | 5.6 | 21.0 | VIII | 1 death and 12 injuries were reported. Major damage was caused with costs of $5 million (1982 rate). | 1 | 12 |
18 [109] | ![]() | 6.6 | 195.0 | ||||
19 [110] [111] | ![]() | 6.7 | 14.0 | VII |
Strongest magnitude | 7.2 Mw ![]() |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.3 Mw ![]() 2,800 deaths |
Total fatalities | 3,313 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 11 |
5.0–5.9 | 170 |
4.0–4.9 | 272 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
3 [112] [113] | ![]() | 6.6 | 256.7 | IV | |||
5 [114] | ![]() | 6.1 | 0.0 | Nuclear test. | |||
13 [115] [116] [117] | ![]() | 6.3 | 5.0 | VIII | Deadliest event in 1982. The 1982 North Yemen earthquake was an unusually destructive event for the country. Earthquakes normally occur off the coast of Yemen. This event left 2,800 people dead and around 1,500 injured. A substantial amount of property damage was reported. $2 billion (1982 rate) in costs were reported. | 2,800 | 1,500 |
16 [118] [119] [120] | ![]() | 6.6 | 36.0 | VI | 500 people were killed and 3,000 were injured. Major damage was caused. | 500 | 3,000 |
16 [121] [122] | ![]() | 4.5 | 33.0 | IV | 6 people were injured. | 6 | |
17 [123] [124] | ![]() | 6.5 | 86.9 | V | |||
19 [125] [126] | ![]() | 7.2 | 33.0 | IV | |||
25 [127] [128] [129] | ![]() | 5.9 | 33.0 | VII | The 1982 Flores earthquake caused 13 deaths and 390 injuries. 1,875 homes were destroyed. Damage costs were $1.45 million (1982 rate). | 13 | 390 |
28 [130] [131] | ![]() | 6.3 | 22.0 | VI | |||
29 [132] [133] | ![]() | 5.3 | 5.0 | VII | Aftershock of December 13 event. 6 people were hurt and further damage was caused. | 6 | |
31 [134] [135] | ![]() | 6.0 | 118.0 | IV |
Earthquakes are caused by movements within the Earth's crust and uppermost mantle. They range from events too weak to be detectable except by sensitive instrumentation, to sudden and violent events lasting many minutes which have caused some of the greatest disasters in human history. Below, earthquakes are listed by period, region or country, year, magnitude, cost, fatalities and number of scientific studies.