List of earthquakes in South Korea

This is list of earthquakes in South Korea. Earthquakes in South Korea are less frequent than in neighboring countries, such as China and Japan. ^[1]

Since 1978, an average of 26 earthquakes have been recorded in and around the vicinity of the Korean Peninsula each year. Most of these earthquakes are minor and barely noticeable, while only about 9 per year have a magnitude of 3.0 or higher. ^[2]

Earthquakes

Significant earthquakes have occurred in what is now South Korea prior to the 20th century. ^[3]

• 779 Gyeongju earthquake: approx. M_w 6.7–7.0, Speculated max. intensity IX. More than 100 people died and many houses collapsed. This is the deadliest recorded earthquake in South Korea.
• 1518 Seoul earthquake: approx. M_w 6.7, Speculated max. intensity IX.
• 1643 Ulsan earthquake: approx. M_w 6.7–7.4, Speculated max. intensity IX–X. Tsunami occurred.
• 1681 Yangyang earthquake  [ ko ]: approx. M_w 7.5, Speculated max. intensity IX. Tsunami occurred. Most powerful earthquake in recorded South Korean history.

Map of earthquakes from 1978

Magnitude of earthquakes on the Korean Peninsula since 1978

1978 and later

This is a part of list of earthquakes in South Korea equal or stronger than 5.0 M_L since 1978. ^{[4] [5]}

Name	Date and time(KST)	Date and time(UTC)	ML	Deaths	Injuries	Coordinate	Location
1978 Sangju earthquake  [ ko ]	1978-09-16 02:07:06	1978-09-15 17:07:06	5.2			36°36′N127°54′E / 36.60°N 127.9°E / 36.60; 127.9	Sangju, North Gyeongsang
1978 Hongseong earthquake	1978-10-07 18:19:52	1978-10-07 09:19:52	5.0			36°36′N126°42′E / 36.60°N 126.7°E / 36.60; 126.7	Hongseong County, South Chungcheong
2003 Ongjin earthquake	2003-03-30 20:10:53	2003-03-30 11:10:53	5.0			37°48′N123°42′E / 37.80°N 123.7°E / 37.80; 123.7	Ongjin County, Incheon
2004 Uljin earthquake	2004-05-29 19:14:24	2004-05-29 10:14:24	5.2			36°48′N130°12′E / 36.80°N 130.2°E / 36.80; 130.2	Uljin County, North Gyeongsang
2014 Taean earthquake	2014-04-01 04:48:35	2014-03-31 19:48:35	5.1			36°57′N124°30′E / 36.95°N 124.5°E / 36.95; 124.5	Taean County, South Chungcheong
2016 Ulsan earthquake	2016-07-05 20:33:03	2016-07-05 11:33:03	5.0			35°31′N129°59′E / 35.51°N 129.99°E / 35.51; 129.99	Dong District, Ulsan
2016 Gyeongju earthquake	2016-09-12 20:32:54	2016-09-12 11:32:54	5.8 [6] (5.4Mw [7] )		8	35°46′N129°11′E / 35.77°N 129.18°E / 35.77; 129.18	Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang
2017 Pohang earthquake	2017-11-15 14:29:32	2017-11-15 05:29:32	5.4 (5.4Mw [8] )		82	36°03′54″N129°16′08″E / 36.065°N 129.269°E / 36.065; 129.269	Buk-gu, Pohang, North Gyeongsang

References

1. "Necessity of management for minor earthquake to improve public acceptance of nuclear energy in South Korea". Nuclear engineering and technology. 50 (3): 494p ~ 503p. 13 April 2018. doi: 10.1016/j.net.2017.11.013 . Retrieved 30 November 2023.
2. "Earthquakes Trends > Earthquake > Typhoon / Earthquake / Asian Dust". www.kma.go.kr. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
3. "한국기상기록집② 《한반도 역사지진 기록 (2년~1904년)》 발간" [Korean Meteorological Record Book② 《Historical Earthquake Records in Korea (2~1904)》 published]. National Institute of Meteorological Research (in Korean). 30 September 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
4. "국내지진 규모별 순위 > 지진 > 지진·화산 > 날씨". Korea Meteorological Administration.
5. "국내지진 목록 > 지진 > 지진·화산 > 날씨". Korea Meteorological Administration.
6. "4.0 magnitude earthquake hits Gyeongju". Korea JoongAng Daily (in Korean). 30 November 2023.
7. "M5.4 – 8 km S of Kyonju, South Korea". United States Geological Survey. September 12, 2016. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
8. "M 5.4 – 9 km WNW of Hoko, South Korea". United States Geological Survey. November 15, 2017. Retrieved November 15, 2017.