This is a list of earthquakes in 1970. Only magnitude 6.0 or greater earthquakes appear on the list. Lower magnitude events are included if they have caused death, injury or damage. Events which occurred in remote areas will be excluded from the list as they wouldn't have generated significant media interest. 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. In terms of magnitude 7.0+ events this year produced 17 which is average for any year. The death toll however was much higher than preceding years. Three events in particular contributed to this. Firstly, in January, China suffered from an event which caused 10,000 deaths. Then at the end of March, Turkey had a magnitude 6.9 earthquake resulting in over 1,000 deaths. Finally, Peru had its worst disaster on May 31 when an earthquake of magnitude 7.9 helped to cause nearly 67,000 deaths.
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Yunnan Province, China on January 4 at a depth of 11.3 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of IX (Violent).[1] This event caused major destruction across the area. 10,000 people died. Many homes were either destroyed or damaged.[2]
A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck off the southeast coast of Mindanao, Philippines on January 10 at a depth of 40.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[4]
A magnitude 6.0 aftershock struck off the southeast coast of Mindanao, Philippines on January 11 at a depth of 45.0 km.[5]
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck off the west coast of Timor, Indonesia on January 14 at a depth of 25.0 km.[6]
A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck south of Fiji on January 20 at a depth of 70.0 km.[7]
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck Hokkaido, Japan on January 20 at a depth of 35.1 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[8]
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck the Kuril Islands, Russia on February 2 at a depth of 29.7 km.[10]
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck off the west coast of Tablas Island, Philippines on February 5 at a depth of 15.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of IX (Violent).[11] 3 people were killed and at least 51 were injured. Some damage was caused.[12]
A magnitude 6.0 aftershock struck off the west coast of Tablas Island, Philippines on February 6 at a depth of 25.0 km.[13]
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Yunnan Province, China on February 6 at a depth of 10.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[14]
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck the Java Sea, Indonesia on February 13 at a depth of 622.8 km.[15]
A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck Huanuco Region, Peru on February 14 at a depth of 39.8 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of V (Moderate).[16] 12 people were killed and many homes collapsed.[17]
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck off the east coast of Taiwan on February 25 at a depth of 30.0 km.[18]
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck the Kuril Islands, Russia on February 26 at a depth of 26.2 km.[19]
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck off the east coast of Mindanao, Philippines on March 4 at a depth of 35.0 km.[21]
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck Vanuatu on March 9 at a depth of 30.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of V (Moderate).[22]
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck the Kuril Islands, Russia on March 10 at a depth of 54.5 km.[23]
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Kodiak Island, Alaska on March 11 at a depth of 39.0 km.[24] Minor damage was reported.[25]
A magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck West Azerbaijan Province, Iran on March 14 at a depth of 23.0 km. 5 people were killed and many homes were destroyed.[26]
A magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck Gujarat, India on March 23 at a depth of 3.0 km. 26 deaths and 200 injuries were reported. Some damage was caused.[28]
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Western Australia on March 24 at a depth of 10.0 km.[29]
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck the Makassar Strait, Indonesia on March 27 at a depth of 25.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[30]
A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Kutahya Province, Turkey on March 28 at a depth of 25.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of IX (Violent).[32] 1,086 people died and 1,174 were hurt. 8,229 homes were either damaged or destroyed. Property damage costs were $55 million (1970 rate).[33]
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck Vanuatu on March 29 at a depth of 237.2 km.[34]
A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck off the east coast of Mindanao, Philippines on March 30 at a depth of 50.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[35]
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Luzon, Philippines on April 7 at a depth of 25.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VIII (Severe).[36] 15 people were killed and over 200 injured. Some damage was reported.[37]
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck the Gulf of Corinth, Greece on April 8 at a depth of 20.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[38]
A magnitude 6.5 aftershock struck Luzon, Philippines on April 8 at a depth of 25.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[39]
A magnitude 6.9 aftershock struck off the east coast of Luzon, Philippines on April 12 at a depth of 22.5 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of IX (Violent).[40]
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck off the east coast of Luzon, Philippines on April 15 at a depth of 25.0 km.[41]
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck the Gulf of Alaska on April 16 at a depth of 15.0 km.[42]
A magnitude 6.1 aftershock struck Kutahya Province, Turkey on April 19 at a depth of 18.4 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[43]
A magnitude 6.0 aftershock struck Kutahya Province, Turkey on April 19 at a depth of 17.5 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[44]
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck Vanuatu on April 20 at a depth of 238.7 km.[45]
A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck Manisa Province, Turkey on April 23 at a depth of 20.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[46] At least 1 person died and 43 were injured. 150 homes were damaged or destroyed.[47]
A magnitude 6.6 foreshock struck off the coast of Chiapas, Mexico on April 29 at a depth of 35.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of V (Moderate).[48]
A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off the coast of Chiapas, Mexico on April 29 at a depth of 35.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VIII (Severe).[49]
A magnitude 6.6 aftershock struck off the coast of Chiapas, Mexico on April 30 at a depth of 35.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of V (Moderate).[50]
A magnitude 6.1 foreshock struck Dagestan, Russia on May 14 at a depth of 12.5 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[52] Some homes sustained damage and some were destroyed.[53]
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck Dagestan, Russia on May 14 at a depth of 15.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[54] At least 101 people were killed. Many homes were damaged or destroyed.[55]
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Uvs Province, Mongolia on May 15 at a depth of 7.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VIII (Severe).[56]
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Bonin Islands, Japan on May 27 at a depth of 390.0 km.[57]
A magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck offshore northern Peru on May 31 at a depth of 45.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of IX (Violent).[58] This was the worst disaster in Peruvian history. 66,794 were killed mostly in an avalanche caused by the shaking. 50,000 were injured. Many homes were damaged or destroyed. Damage costs were $530 million (1970 rate).[59]
A magnitude 6.1 aftershock struck offshore northern Peru on May 31 at a depth of 50.6 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of V (Moderate).[60]
A magnitude 6.2 aftershock struck off the coast of northern Peru on June 1 at a depth of 45.4 km.[61]
A magnitude 6.4 aftershock struck off the coast of northern Peru on June 4 at a depth of 54.9 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of V (Moderate).[62]
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Issyk-Kul Region, Kyrgyzstan on June 5 at a depth of 15.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VIII (Severe).[63] 5,000 homes were destroyed.[64]
A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck east of Tierra del Fuego Province, Argentina on June 15 at a depth of 10.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[68]
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Arequipa Region, Peru on June 17 at a depth of 108.6 km.[69]
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck offshore Antofagasta Region, Chile on June 19 at a depth of 60.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[70]
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck the Kuril Islands, Russia on June 22 at a depth of 30.3 km.[71]
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck south of Haida Gwaii, Canada on June 24 at a depth of 18.3 km.[72]
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Santa Isabel Island, Solomon Islands on June 25 at a depth of 45.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[73]
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck the Savu Sea, Indonesia on June 28 at a depth of 85.8 km.[74]
A magnitude 6.0 aftershock struck off the coast of central Peru on July 2 at a depth of 52.0 km.[75]
A magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck Kayseri Province, Turkey on July 2 at a depth of 27.0 km. 1 death was reported. 150 homes were damaged or destroyed.[76]
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Tonga on July 16 at a depth of 20.0 km.[78]
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Tonga on July 17 at a depth of 35.0 km.[79]
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck northeast of New Britain, Papua New Guinea on July 19 at a depth of 20.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of V (Moderate).[80]
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck off the east coast of Kyushu, Japan on July 25 at a depth of 45.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VIII (Severe).[81] 13 people sustained injuries and some damage was caused.[82]
A magnitude 6.2 aftershock struck off the east coast of Kyushu, Japan on July 26 at a depth of 45.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of V (Moderate).[83]
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck southern Xinjiang Province, China on July 29 at a depth of 14.7 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[85]
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Sagaing Region, Myanmar on July 29 at a depth of 79.1 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of V (Moderate).[86]
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck Golestan Province, Iran on July 30 at a depth of 15.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VIII (Severe).[87] 220 people were killed and another 220 injured. 2,000 homes were damaged or destroyed. Property damage costs were around $8 million (1970 rate).[88]
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck the Gulf of Aden on July 30 at a depth of 15.0 km.[89]
A magnitude 8.0 earthquake struck Amazonas Department, Colombia on July 31 at a depth of 644.8 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of IV (Light).[90] Owing to the depth of the event destruction was light. 1 person died and at least 51 were injured. Some damage was caused.[91]
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Vanuatu on September 3 at a depth of 25.0 km.[102]
A magnitude 6.5 aftershock struck the Sea of Okhotsk, Russia on September 5 at a depth of 580.6 km.[103]
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck Sibenik-Knin County, Croatia on September 7 at a depth of 5.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong). 8 people sustained injuries and some damage was reported.[104]
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck off the east coast of Honshu, Japan on September 14 at a depth of 48.6 km.[105]
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck off the south coast of Guam on September 16 at a depth of 45.0 km.[106]
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck off the west coast of Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea on September 23 at a depth of 35.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of V (Moderate).[107]
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck off the west coast of Colombia on September 26 at a depth of 15.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[109] 2 people were hurt. 104 homes were destroyed and costs were around $400,000 (1970 rate).[110]
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck off the west coast of Colombia on September 27 at a depth of 15.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[111]
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck the Batan Islands, Philippines on September 30 at a depth of 30.0 km.[112] 2 buildings collapsed and many sustained damage.[113]
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck the Kuril Islands, Russia on October 14 at a depth of 32.5 km.[116]
A magnitude 6.1 aftershock struck the Kuril Islands, Russia on October 14 at a depth of 35.0 km.[117]
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Akita Prefecture, Honshu,Japan on October 16 at a depth of 15.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[118]
A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Madang Province, Papua New Guinea on October 31 at a depth of 60.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VIII (Severe).[119] In total 18 people were killed in the event. 20 people sustained injuries. Property damage costs were $1.75 million (1970 rate) with 800 homes being damaged or destroyed.[120][121]
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck off the east coast of Mindanao, Philippines on November 8 at a depth of 40.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of V (Moderate).[122]
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck Papua (province), Indonesia on November 8 at a depth of 35.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VIII (Severe).[123]
A magnitude 6.3 aftershock struck Madang Province, Papua New Guinea on November 12 at a depth of 15.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[124]
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Masbate Island, Philippines on November 13 at a depth of 13.5 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[125]
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck off the east coast of Taiwan on November 14 at a depth of 29.5 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of V (Moderate).[126]
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the Solomon Islands on December 2 at a depth of 30.0 km.[129]
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Antofagasta Region, Chile on December 4 at a depth of 39.2 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[130]
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck off the south coast of Hokkaido, Japan on December 6 at a depth of 40.0 km.[131]
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck the Izu Islands, Japan on December 7 at a depth of 184.6 km.[132]
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Coquimbo Region, Chile on December 8 at a depth of 50.7 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[133]
A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Tumbes Region, Peru on December 10 at a depth of 25.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VIII (Severe).[134] 82 people died and 350 were injured. Property damage costs were $6 million (1970 rate).[135]
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia on December 19 at a depth of 42.3 km.[136]
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck the Solomon Islands on December 29 at a depth of 30.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[138]