This is a list of earthquakes in 1966. 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. With only 9 events above magnitude 7.0+ this was a fairly quiet year. The largest event was in Peru in October and measured 8.1. Turkey had the deadliest event of the year when in August a magnitude 6.8 earthquake caused nearly 2,400 deaths. China had a number of deadly earthquakes especially in March. DR Congo also had an earthquake in March which resulted in 140 deaths. Japan and large portions of Indonesia were notably quiet this year.
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck Vanuatu on February 4 at a depth of 180.0 km.[4]
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Central Greece (region), Greece on February 5 at a depth of 10.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of V (Moderate).[5] 1 person died and 60 people were injured. 450 homes were destroyed. Property damage costs were $4 million (1966 rate).[6]
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck Yunnan Province, China on February 5 at a depth of 10.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[7] Many homes were destroyed.[8]
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Baluchistan, Pakistan on February 7 at a depth of 10.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[9]
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Punjab, Pakistan on February 7 at a depth of 10.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong). This came after an earlier event of the same magnitude and is an example of a doublet earthquake.[10]
A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck Yunnan Province, China on February 13 at a depth of 10.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[13] Some homes were destroyed.[14]
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck Vanuatu on February 16 at a depth of 35.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[15]
A magnitude 5.2 foreshock struck Hebei Province, China on March 6 at an unknown depth. 11 homes were destroyed. A series of large and destructive earthquakes struck the area throughout March.[17]
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck western Xizang Province, China on March 6 at a depth of 20.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[18]
A magnitude 6.3 aftershock struck western Xizang Province, China on March 6 at a depth of 20.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[19]
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Mus Province, Turkey on March 7 at a depth of 38.0 km. 10 people were killed and major damage was caused.[20]
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Hebei Province, China on March 7 at a depth of 25.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VIII (Severe).[21] At least 101 people were killed and extensive damage was caused.[22]
A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off the east coast of Taiwan on March 12 at a depth of 30.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[23] At least 7 people were killed and 10 were injured. Some homes were destroyed.[24]
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck Fiji on March 17 at a depth of 625.0 km.[25]
A magnitude 5.6 aftershock struck Hebei Province, China on March 19 at an unknown depth. Some homes were destroyed.[26]
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck North Kivu, DR Congo on March 20 at a depth of 29.3 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VIII (Severe).[27] At least 140 people were killed and at least 101 were injured. Property damage costs were $1.5 million (1966 rate).[28]
A magnitude 6.2 aftershock struck Hebei Province, China on March 22 at a depth of 20.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[29]
A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Hebei Province, China on March 22 at a depth of 20.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VIII (Severe).[30] At least 101 people were killed and further major damage was caused.[31]
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck off the east coast of Taiwan on March 23 at a depth of 49.5 km.[32]
A magnitude 6.0 aftershock struck Hebei Province, China on March 26 at a depth of 20.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[33] Some homes were destroyed.[34]
A magnitude 6.0 aftershock struck Hebei Province, China on March 29 at a depth of 20.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[35]
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia on April 8 at a depth of 46.6 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[36]
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Araucania Region, Chile on April 12 at a depth of 35.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[38]
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Kodiak Island, Alaska on April 16 at a depth of 15.0 km.[39]
A magnitude 5.3 aftershock struck Hebei Province, China on April 20 at an unknown depth. 22 homes were destroyed.[40]
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Dagestan, Russia on April 20 at a depth of 20.0 km.[41]
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck the Gulf of Tomini, Indonesia on April 23 at a depth of 20.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[42]
An earthquake struck Tashkent Region, Uzbekistan on April 26. The magnitude and depth were unknown. 10 people were killed and major damage was caused. Costs were in the region of $300 million (1966 rate).[44]
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Solomon Islands on June 15 at a depth of 45.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[54]
A magnitude 6.8 aftershock struck the Solomon Islands on June 15 at a depth of 45.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[55]
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the Banda Sea, Indonesia on June 22 at a depth of 531.8 km.[56]
A magnitude 6.0 foreshock struck Sudurpashchim Pradesh, Nepal on June 27 at a depth of 25.9 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of V (Moderate).[57] 80 people were killed and 100 were injured. 5,200 homes were destroyed. $1 million (1966 rate) in property damage was caused.[58]
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Sudurpashchim Pradesh, Nepal on June 27 at a depth of 25.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[59]
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Vanuatu on June 29 at a depth of 45.0 km.[60]
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck off the east coast of Taiwan on July 1 at a depth of 112.5 km.[61]
A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck the Rat Islands, Alaska on July 4 at a depth of 15.0 km.[62]
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck the Ryukyu Islands, Japan on July 10 at a depth of 35.6 km.[63]
A magnitude 4.6 earthquake struck Mus Province, Turkey on July 12 at a depth of 64.0 km. 12 people were killed and 20 were injured. Major damage was caused.[64]
A magnitude 6.0 foreshock struck Baluchistan, Pakistan on August 1 at a depth of 20.2 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of V (Moderate).[65]
A magnitude 6.2 foreshock struck Baluchistan, Pakistan on August 1 at a depth of 25.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[66]
A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Baluchistan, Pakistan on August 1 at a depth of 25.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VIII (Severe).[67]
A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck south of the Aleutian Islands, Alaska on August 7 at a depth of 19.7 km.[68]
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck the Gulf of California, Mexico on August 7 at a depth of 6.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[69]
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Tonga on August 10 at a depth of 98.8 km.[70]
A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck Uttar Pradesh, India on August 15 at a depth of 27.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[71] 15 people were killed and some damage was caused.[72]
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck off the northeast coast of Mindoro, Philippines on August 15 at a depth of 19.8 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of V (Moderate).[73]
A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Mus Province, Turkey on August 19 at a depth of 24.7 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[74] 2,394 people were killed and property damage was extensive with costs reaching $20 million (1966 rate).[75]
A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck the Peloponnese (region), Greece on September 1 at a depth of 17.0 km. 1 person died and 25 were injured. Property damage reached $14 million (1966 rate) with 180 homes collapsing.[78]
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Morotai, Indonesia on September 8 at a depth of 115.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[79]
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck off the east coast of Taiwan on September 15 at a depth of 30.0 km.[80]
A magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck Yunnan Province, China on September 19 at an unknown depth. Some damage was caused.[81]
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Guerrero, Mexico on September 25 at a depth of 80.3 km.[82]
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Yunnan Province, China on September 28 at a depth of 20.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[83] Extensive damage was caused.[84]
A magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck Jilin Province, China on October 2 at an unknown depth. Major damage was caused.[85]
A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck southeast of the Loyalty Islands on October 7 at a depth of 150.0 km.[86]
A magnitude 8.1 earthquake struck off the coast of central Peru on October 17 at a depth of 40.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of IX (Violent).[87] 110 people were killed and 3,000 were injured. Property damage costs were $35 million (1966 rate).[88]
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the central Mid-Atlantic Ridge on October 19 at a depth of 15.0 km.[89]
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck the Volcano Islands, Japan on October 27 at a depth of 10.0 km.[90]
A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck Western Greece on October 29 at a depth of 25.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[91] 1 person died and 23 were injured. Many homes were destroyed.[92]
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Vanuatu on December 21 at a depth of 230.0 km.[99]
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck off the east coast of Papua New Guinea on December 23 at a depth of 30.0 km.[100]
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Antofagasta Region, Chile on December 28 at a depth of 25.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of IX (Violent).[101] 3 people died and 6 were injured. Many homes were destroyed. Property damage costs were $400,000 (1966 rate).[102]
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Santa Cruz Islands, Solomon Islands on December 31 at a depth of 55.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[103]
A magnitude 7.1 aftershock struck Santa Cruz Islands, Solomon Islands on December 31 at a depth of 35.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[104]