Strongest magnitude | 8.1 Mw Samoa |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.6 Mw Indonesia 1,115 deaths |
Total fatalities | 1,853 |
Number by magnitude | |
9.0+ | 0 |
Earthquakes in 2009 resulted in 1,853 fatalities. The 2nd Sumatra earthquake caused an estimated 1,117 deaths to that island, while other majors events struck Italy or Costa Rica. Also notable, the 2009 Samoa earthquake and tsunami registered an 8.1 on the moment magnitude scale, the most powerful earthquake in 2009. The tsunami associated with the Samoa earthquake caused tsunami advisories and warning across the Pacific Ocean rim, also known as the Ring of Fire. [1]
Magnitude Ranging Between | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
8−9.9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
7−7.9 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 9 | 13 | 12 | 16 |
6−6.9 | 145 | 121 | 126 | 140 | 141 | 140 | 142 | 178 | 168 | 144 |
5−5.9 | 1335 | 1215 | 1171 | 1203 | 1515 | 1693 | 1712 | 2074 | 1768 | 1896 |
Total | 1495 | 1352 | 1310 | 1358 | 1672 | 1844 | 1865 | 2270 | 1948 | 2057 |
Note that an increase in detected earthquake numbers does not necessarily represent an increase in earthquakes per se. Population increase, habitation spread, and advances in earthquake detection technology all contribute to higher earthquake numbers being recorded over time. USGS's Website has more information.
For exact dates and live earthquakes please visit USGS's Global Earthquake Search Page and Real-time Earthquake Map or EMSC's Real-time Seismicity.
Rank | Death toll | Magnitude | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1,115 | 7.6 | Indonesia, Sumatra | VIII (Severe) | 90.0 | September 30 |
2 | 308 | 6.3 | Italy, L'Aquila | X (Extreme) | 9.46 | April 6 |
3 | 192 | 8.1 | Samoa | VII (Very strong) | 15.0 | September 29 |
4 | 98 | 6.1 | Costa Rica, Alajuela | VII (Very strong) | 4.5 | January 8 |
5 | 81 | 7.0 | Indonesia, Java | VII (Very strong) | 49 | September 2 |
6 | 22 | 5.2 | Afghanistan, Kabul | V (Moderate) | 5.9 | April 16 |
7 | 11 | 6.1 | Bhutan | VII (Very strong) | 14.0 | September 21 |
Rank | Magnitude | Death toll | Location | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 8.1 | 192 [2] | Samoa | September 29 |
2 | 7.8 | 0 | Vanuatu | October 7 |
2 | 7.8 | 0 | New Zealand | July 15 |
4 | 7.7 | 5 [2] | Papua, Indonesia | January 3 |
4 | 7.7 | 0 | Vanuatu | October 7 |
6 | 7.6 | 0 | Tonga | March 19 |
6 | 7.6 | 1,117 [2] | Sumatra | September 30 |
8 | 7.5 | 0 | Andaman Islands | August 10 |
9 | 7.4 | 0 | Papua, Indonesia | January 3 |
9 | 7.4 | 0 | Kuril Islands, Russia | January 15 |
9 | 7.4 | 0 | Vanuatu | October 7 |
12 | 7.3 | 7 | Honduras | May 28 |
12 | 7.3 | 0 | Fiji | November 9 |
14 | 7.2 | 2 | Talaud Islands | February 11 |
15 | 7.1 | 0 | Izu Islands, Japan | August 9 |
16 | 7.0 | 0 | Kermadec Islands, New Zealand | February 18 |
16 | 7.0 | 81 [2] | Java, Indonesia | September 2 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.7 Indonesia |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 104 |
Number by magnitude | |
7.0–7.9 | 3 |
6.0–6.9 | 11 |
5.0–5.9 | 190 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.2 Indonesia |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 10 |
5.0–5.9 | 170 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.6 Tonga |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 5 |
5.0–5.9 | 162 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.9 Russia |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 321 |
Number by magnitude | |
6.0–6.9 | 11 |
5.0–5.9 | 137 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.3 Honduras |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 7 |
Number by magnitude | |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 5 |
5.0–5.9 | 132 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.7 Papua New Guinea |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 1 |
Number by magnitude | |
6.0–6.9 | 8 |
5.0–5.9 | 132 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.8 New Zealand |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 1 |
Number by magnitude | |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 9 |
5.0–5.9 | 177 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.5 India |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 3 |
Number by magnitude | |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 17 |
5.0–5.9 | 139 |
Strongest magnitude | 8.1 Samoa |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 1,401 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 1 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 12 |
5.0–5.9 | 148 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.8 Vanuatu |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 8 |
Number by magnitude | |
7.0–7.9 | 3 |
6.0–6.9 | 31 |
5.0–5.9 | 234 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.3 Fiji |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 2 |
Number by magnitude | |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 13 |
5.0–5.9 | 133 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.4,
|
---|---|
Total fatalities | 6 |
Number by magnitude | |
6.0–6.9 | 12 |
5.0–5.9 | 142 |