Strongest magnitude | 8.8 Mw Chile |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.0 Mw Haiti 160,000 deaths |
Total fatalities | 164,627 [1] |
Number by magnitude | |
9.0+ | 0 |
Earthquakes in 2010 resulted in nearly 165,000 fatalities. Most of these were due to the 2010 Haiti earthquake, which caused an estimated 160,000 deaths, [2] making it the 8th deadliest earthquake in recorded history. Other deadly quakes occurred in China, Indonesia or Turkey. The 2010 Chile earthquake registered 8.8 on the moment magnitude scale, [3] ranking it as the 6th strongest earthquake since 1900. The tsunami associated with the Chile earthquake caused tsunami advisories and warning across the entire Pacific Ocean rim, also known as the Ring of Fire.
Magnitude Ranging Between | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
8−9.9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
7−7.9 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 9 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 21 |
6−6.9 | 121 | 126 | 140 | 141 | 140 | 142 | 178 | 168 | 144 | 151 |
5−5.9 | 1215 | 1171 | 1203 | 1515 | 1693 | 1712 | 2074 | 1768 | 1896 | 1963 |
Total | 1352 | 1310 | 1358 | 1672 | 1844 | 1865 | 2270 | 1948 | 2057 | 2136 |
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 | 160,000 | 7.0 | Haiti, Ouest | X (Extreme) | 13.0 | January 12 |
2 | 2,968 | 6.9 | China, Qinghai | X (Extreme) | 17.0 | April 14 |
3 | 711 | 7.8 | Indonesia, Sumatra | V (Moderate) | 20.6 | October 25 |
4 | 525 | 8.8 | Chile, Maule | IX (Violent) | 35.0 | February 27 |
5 | 58 | 6.1 | Turkey. Elazığ | VI (Strong) | 10.0 | March 8 |
6 | 17 | 7.0 | Indonesia, Papua | VII (Very strong) | 15.0 | June 16 |
7 | 11 | 5.6 | Afghanistan, Balkh | V (Moderate) | 13.0 | April 18 |
Rank | Magnitude | Death toll | Location | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 8.8 [4] | 525 [5] | Chile | February 27 |
2 | 7.8 | 0 | Indonesia | April 6 |
3 | 7.8 | 711 [6] | Indonesia | October 25 |
4 | 7.6 | 0 | Philippines | July 24 |
5 | 7.5 | 0 | India | June 13 |
5 | 7.5 | 0 | Vanuatu | August 10 |
7 | 7.4 | 0 | Philippines | July 24 |
7 | 7.4 | 0 | Japan | December 21 |
9 | 7.3 | 0 | Papua New Guinea | July 18 |
9 | 7.3 | 0 | Philippines | July 24 |
9 | 7.3 | 0 | Vanuatu | December 25 |
12 | 7.2 | 4 | Mexico | April 4 |
12 | 7.2 | 0 | Vanuatu | May 27 |
12 | 7.2 | 0 | Indonesia | September 29 |
16 | 7.1 | 0 | Solomon Islands | January 3 |
16 | 7.1 | 1 | Ecuador | August 12 |
18 | 7.0 | 2 | New Zealand | September 4 |
19 | 7.0 | 160,000 | Léogâne, Haiti | January 12 |
18 | 7.0 | 0 | Japan | February 26 |
18 | 7.0 [7] | 18 [8] | Indonesia | June 16 |
19 | 7.0 | 0 | Papua New Guinea | August 4 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.1 Mw, Solomon Islands |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.0 Mw Haiti 160,000 deaths |
Total fatalities | 160,010 |
Number by magnitude | |
9.0+ | 0 |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 9 |
5.0–5.9 | 193 |
4.0–4.9 | 618 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
2 [9] | Tajikistan, Gorno-Badakhshan, 84 km N of Khorog | 5.4 | 47.0 | IV | The earthquake left 20,000 homeless, and around 1,000 houses were damaged, 98 of which collapsed. [10] | - | - |
2 [11] | Northern Mariana Islands | 6.1 | 8.0 | - | - | - | - |
3 [12] | Solomon Islands, 98 km SE of Gizo | 6.6 | 10.0 | V | Foreshock of the January 3 event. It occurred forty-eight minutes before the main shock. | - | - |
3 [13] | Solomon Islands, 94 km SE of Gizo | 7.1 | 10.0 | V | Several people were injured by the 2010 Solomon Islands earthquake , and many were left homeless by a tsunami, which reached heights of between 3 and 7 metres (10 and 23 ft). [14] | 0 | 2 |
5 [15] | South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, east of the South Sandwich Islands | 6.8 | 13.0 | - | - | - | - |
5 [16] [17] | Solomon Islands, 127 km SE of Gizo | 6.8 | 15.4 | III | Aftershock of the January 3 event. | - | - |
5 [18] | Solomon Islands, 155 km SE of Gizo | 6.0 | 35.0 | V | Aftershock of the January 3 event. | - | - |
9 [19] | Solomon Islands, 142 km SE of Gizo | 6.2 | 12.0 | V | Aftershock of the January 3 event. | - | - |
9 [20] | United States, California offshore, 35 km WNW of Ferndale | 6.5 | 29.3 | VII | 2010 Eureka earthquake | 0 | 24 [21] |
10 [22] | Indonesia, Java, 66 km SSW of Singaparna | 5.1 | 65.2 | III | - | 1 [23] | - |
12 [24] | Haiti, Ouest, 10 km SE of Léogâne | 7.0 | 13.0 | IX | The 2010 Haiti earthquake was one of the deadliest earthquakes in recorded history. | 100,000 to 316,000 [25] | - |
12 [26] | Haiti, Ouest, 4 km E of Grand-Goâve | 6.0 | 10.0 | VII | Aftershock of the January 12 event. It occurred seven minutes after the main shock. | - | - |
17 [27] | China, Guizhou, 77 km S of Anshun | 4.4 | 26.6 | IV | - | 8 [23] | - |
17 [28] | Drake Passage | 6.3 | 5.0 | II | - | - | - |
17 [29] | China, eastern Sichuan | 5.1 | 10.0 | VI | - | 1 [23] | - |
Strongest magnitude | 8.8 Mw Chile |
---|---|
Deadliest | 8.8 Mw Chile 525 deaths |
Total fatalities | 527 |
Number by magnitude | |
9.0+ | 0 |
8.0–8.9 | 1 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 20 |
5.0–5.9 | 279 |
4.0–4.9 | 878 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1 [30] | Papua New Guinea, Bougainville Island, 115 km WNW of Panguna | 6.2 | 32.0 | V | - | - | - |
5 [31] | Southeast Indian Ridge | 6.2 | 1.0 | - | - | - | - |
6 [32] | Russia, Kuril Islands | 6.0 | 30.0 | - | - | - | - |
7 [33] | Japan, Okinawa, 109 km SSW of Ishigaki | 6.3 | 21.0 | IV | - | - | - |
9 [34] | Tonga, Niuatoputapu, 104 km NNE of Hihifo | 6.1 | 10.0 | III | - | - | - |
13 [35] | Tonga, 'Eua, 65 km NNE of 'Ohonua | 6.1 | 11.0 | - | - | - | - |
15 [36] | East Timor, 238 km NE of Lospalos | 6.2 | 126.0 | IV | - | - | - |
18 [37] | Russia, Primorsky Krai, 15 km SSW of Kraskino | 6.9 | 577.7 | - | This earthquake struck near Russia's border with China and North Korea. | - | - |
22 [38] | Tonga, 'Eua, 277 km SSW of 'Ohonua | 6.0 | 15.0 | - | - | - | - |
26 [39] | Japan, Okinawa, 70 km SE of Haebaru | 7.0 | 25.0 | VI | This earthquake caused some damage and two injuries. A tsunami warning was issued for the Okinawa prefecture. [40] | - | 2 |
27 [41] | Chile, Ñuble Region, Itata Province, 36 km WNW of Quirihue | 8.8 | 22.9 | VIII | The 2010 Chile earthquake was the largest event of 2010, and the most significant earthquake to impact Chile since the 1960 Valdivia earthquake. It had a robust aftershock sequence, and tsunami warnings were issued in 53 countries. [42] 350 of the 525 deaths that were attributed to this earthquake were caused by a tsunami wave of approximately 24.1 m (79 ft) that struck the coastal town of Constitución. [43] [44] | 525 | - |
27 [45] | Argentina, Salta Province, 5 km NE of Campo Quijano | 6.3 | 10.0 | V | The 2010 Salta earthquake was once thought to be an aftershock of the 8.8 event, but it was later deemed to be a separate event. [46] | 2 | Dozens |
Strongest magnitude | 7.0 Mw Chile |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.1 Mw Turkey 42-57 deaths |
Total fatalities | 43-58 |
Number by magnitude | |
9.0+ | 0 |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 22 |
5.0–5.9 | 264 |
4.0–4.9 | 1,262 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
3 [47] | Chile, Biobío Region, 25 km WNW of Talcahuano | 6.1 | 20.0 | VII | Aftershock of the 8.8 on February 27 | - | - |
4 [48] | Taiwan, Tainan, 41 km SE of Yujing District | 6.3 | 21.0 | VI | The 2010 Kaohsiung earthquake caused minor damage and over 90 injuries. [49] | - | 90+ |
4 [50] | Chile, Valparaíso Region, 50 km WSW of Valparaíso | 6.0 | 24.2 | V | Aftershock of the 8.8 on February 27 | - | - |
4 [51] | Vanuatu, Torba Province, 48 km NW of Sola | 6.5 | 176.0 | IV | - | - | |
4 [52] | Chile, Antofagasta Region, 66 km ENE of Calama | 6.3 | 114.0 | IV | - | - | - |
5 [53] | Chile, Biobío Region, 14 km NW of Talcahuano | 6.1 | 29.9 | V | Aftershock of the 8.8 on February 27 | - | - |
5 [54] | Chile, Biobío Region, 23 km WNW of Talcahuano | 6.6 | 18.0 | VII | Aftershock of the 8.8 on February 27 | - | - |
5 [55] | Indonesia, Bengkulu, 141 km W of Bengkulu | 6.8 | 26.0 | IV | - | - | - |
7 [56] | southern East Pacific Rise | 6.3 | 18.0 | - | - | - | - |
8 [57] | Turkey, Erzurum Province, 10 km SSW of Karaçoban | 6.1 | 12.0 | VI | 2010 Elazığ earthquake [49] [58] | 42-57 | 74 |
8 [59] | Northern Mariana Islands, Maug Islands region | 6.1 | 427.0 | - | - | - | - |
11 [60] | Chile, O'Higgins Region, 61 km NW of Santa Cruz | 6.9 | 11.0 | VII | The 2010 Pichilemu earthquakes are likely aftershocks of the 8.8 on February 27. Both of them occurred within sixteen minutes of each other. The first earthquake occurred minutes before Sebastián Piñera was sworn in as President of Chile. [61] One person died of a heart attack in Talca, Maule Region. [62] | 1 | - |
11 [63] | Chile, O'Higgins Region, 52 km NW of Santa Cruz | 7.0 | 18.0 | VII | |||
11 [64] | Chile, O'Higgins Region, 61 km WNW of Santa Cruz | 6.0 | 31.5 | VI | Aftershock of the 2010 Pichilemu earthquakes that occurred eleven minutes after the 7.0 event | - | - |
14 [65] | Indonesia, Seram, 202 km NNW of Amahai | 6.4 | 53.0 | V | - | - | - |
14 [66] | Japan, Fukushima Prefecture, 592 km ENE of Namie | 6.5 | 32.0 | VI | - | - | - |
15 [67] | Chile, Ñuble Region, 76 km NW of Quirihue | 6.2 | 14.0 | IV | Aftershock of the 8.8 on February 27 | - | - |
16 [68] | Chile, Biobío Region, 52 km NNW of Tomé | 6.7 | 18.0 | V | Aftershock of the 8.8 on February 27 | - | - |
20 [69] | Papua New Guinea, New Ireland Province | 6.6 | 414.6 | - | - | - | - |
25 [70] | Philippines, Occidental Mindoro, 2 km SW of Lubang | 6.0 | 16.6 | V | - | - | - |
26 [71] | Chile, Atacama Region, 69 km N of Vallenar | 6.3 | 42.0 | V | - | - | - |
28 [72] | Chile, Maule Region, 88 km W of Constitución | 6.0 | 29.9 | IV | Aftershock of the 8.8 on February 27 | - | - |
30 [73] | India, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 217 km N of Bombooflat | 6.6 | 30.9 | VI | - | - | - |
Strongest magnitude | 7.8 Mw , Indonesia |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.9 Mw , China 2,698 deaths |
Total fatalities | 2,713 |
Number by magnitude | |
9.0+ | 0 |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 15 |
5.0–5.9 | 133 |
4.0–4.9 | 750 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
2 [74] | Chile, Ñuble Region, 25 km WNW of Quirihue | 6.0 | 24.0 | VI | Aftershock of the 8.8 on February 27 | - | - |
4 [75] | Mexico, Baja California, 25 km S of Guadalupe Victoria | 7.2 | 10.0 | IX | 35,000 people lost their homes in the 2010 Baja California earthquake . | 4 [76] [77] | 254+ |
5 [78] | Indonesia, Minahasa Regency, 164 km S of Tondano | 6.2 | 25.0 | - | - | - | - |
6 [79] | Indonesia, Karo Regency, 75 km E of Mount Sinabung | 7.8 | 31.0 | VII | 2010 Banyak Islands earthquake | 0 | 62 |
7 [80] | Papua New Guinea, Sandaun Province, 82 km SSW of Aitape | 6.0 | 23.0 | VI | - | - | - |
10 [81] | Tonga, 155 km NW of Nukuʻalofa | 6.0 | 273.2 | - | - | - | - |
11 [82] | Solomon Islands, Makira-Ulawa Province, 99 km WSW of Kirakira | 6.9 | 21.0 | V | - | - | - |
11 [83] | Spain, Granada, 1 km S of Nigüelas | 6.3 | 609.8 | III | - | - | - |
13 [84] | China, Tibet Autonomous Region, 233 km NNW of Chamdo | 6.9 | 17.8 | IX | 2010 Yushu earthquake | 2,698 | 12,135 |
14 [85] | China, Tibet Autonomous Region, 239 km NNW of Chamdo | 6.1 | 7.6 | VII | Largest aftershock of the 2010 Yushu earthquake. It occurred one hour and thirty-six minutes after the main shock. | - | - |
17 [86] | Papua New Guinea, Morobe Province, 33 km E of Lae | 6.2 | 53.0 | VI | - | - | - |
18 [87] | Afghanistan, Balkh Province, 130 km SSE of Mazar-i-Sharif | 5.6 | 13.0 | VI | More than 2,000 houses were destroyed in the 2010 Afghanistan earthquake . | 11 | 70+ |
21 [88] | Tonga, Niuatoputapu, 97 km NE of Hihifo | 6.1 | 35.0 | IV | - | - | - |
23 [89] | Chile, Biobío Region, 26 km W of Nacimiento | 6.0 | 32.0 | VI | Aftershock of the 8.8 on February 27 | - | - |
24 [90] | Indonesia, Maluku, 181 km NNW of Amahai | 6.0 | 27.0 | V | - | - | - |
26 [91] | Japan offshore, Okinawa Prefecture, 245 km SSW of Ishigaki | 6.5 | 22.0 | IV | - | - | - |
30 [92] | United States, Bering Sea | 6.5 | 12.0 | - | Doublet event. The two earthquakes occurred nearly five minutes apart. | - | - |
30 [93] | United States, Bering Sea | 6.3 | 14.9 | - | - | - |
Strongest magnitude | 7.2 Mw |
---|---|
Deadliest | 5.3 Mw 2 deaths |
Total fatalities | 2 |
Number by magnitude | |
9.0+ | 0 |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 14 |
5.0–5.9 | 125 |
4.0–4.9 | 693 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | |||||||
3 [94] | Japan offshore, Izu Islands | 6.1 | 84.0 | - | - | - | - | |
3 [95] | Chile, Biobío Region, 30 km S of Cañete | 6.3 | 19.0 | VII | Aftershock of the 8.8 on February 27 | - | - | |
5 [96] | Indonesia, Bengkulu, 132 km W of Bengkulu | 6.5 | 27.0 | V | - | - | - | |
6 [97] | Peru, Tacna Region, 32 km WSW of Tacna | 6.2 | 37.0 | VI | - | - | - | |
9 [98] | 14 [99] | Algeria, M'Sila, 38 km W of Sidi Aïssa | 5.3 | 2.0 | VI | This is the first and largest of three events of the 2010 Beni-Ilmane earthquakes that occurred from May 13 to May 23. | 2 | 43 |
19 [100] | Pacific-Antarctic Ridge | 6.0 | 10.0 | - | Doublet; the two earthquakes occurred twenty-one minutes apart. | - | - | |
19 [101] | Pacific-Antarctic Ridge | 6.0 | 10.0 | - | - | - | ||
23 [102] | Peru, Department of Ayacucho, 4 km WNW of Sacsamarca | 6.1 | 101.4 | V | - | - | - | |
24 [103] | Brazil, Acre, 87 km W of Tarauacá | 6.5 | 581.2 | VI | - | - | - | |
25 [104] | Mid-Atlantic Ridge | 6.3 | 10.0 | - | - | - | - | |
26 [105] | Japan offshore, Okinawa, 216 km ESE of Uruma | 6.5 | 10.0 | IV | - | - | - | |
27 [106] | Vanuatu, Torba Province, 100 km WNW of Sola, Vanuatu | 7.2 | 31.0 | VI | - | - | - | |
27 [107] | Vanuatu, Torba Province, 90 km WNW of Sola | 7.2 | 31.0 | VI | Aftershock. It occurred three hours and thirty-four minutes after the main shock. | - | - | |
31 [108] | Philippines, Bangsamoro, 38 km WNW of Cotabato City | 6.0 | 20.0 | VI | - | - | - | |
31 [109] | India, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 98 km SE of Port Blair | 6.5 | 112.0 | V | - | - | - |
Strongest magnitude | 7.5 Mw, Nicobar Islands, India |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 18 |
Number by magnitude | |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 10 |
5.0–5.9 | 125 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.6 Mw, Philippines |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 1 |
Number by magnitude | |
7.0–7.9 | 4 |
6.0–6.9 | 15 |
5.0–5.9 | 136 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.3 Mw, Vanuatu |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 3 |
Number by magnitude | |
7.0–7.9 | 3 |
6.0–6.9 | 15 |
5.0–5.9 | 133 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.2 Mw, Indonesia |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 3 |
Number by magnitude | |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 8 |
5.0–5.9 | 135 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.7 Mw, Indonesia |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 712 |
Number by magnitude | |
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
6.0–6.9 | 11 |
5.0–5.9 | 135 |
Strongest magnitude | 6.8 Mw, Japan |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 2 |
Number by magnitude | |
6.0–6.9 | 6 |
5.0–5.9 | 137 |
Strongest magnitude | 7.4 Mw Japan |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.7 Mw Iran 11 deaths |
Total fatalities | 14 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
6.0–6.9 | 11 |
5.0–5.9 | 268 |
Earthquakes are caused by movements within the Earth's crust and uppermost mantle. They range from weak events detectable only by seismometers, 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.