From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a list of earthquakes in 1948 . 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. This would go down as one of the deadliest years of the 20th century . The main factor behind this was the earthquake which struck Turkmenistan that left 110,000 people dead in early October. This was the deadliest single earthquake since 1923 when a great quake struck Tokyo . Other events during the year caused many deaths including one in Japan in June which resulted in over 5,000 deaths. The number of magnitude 7.0+ events (18) was around normal with the biggest event being in the Philippines measuring 7.8. Clusters of large events were reported in Latin America and the southwest Pacific particularly Fiji in the early part of the year.
Overall
By death toll
Note : At least 10 casualties
By magnitude
Rank
Magnitude
Death toll
Location
MMI
Depth (km)
Date
1
7.8
74
Philippines , Panay
IX (Violent )
15.0
January 24
2
7.5
0
Tonga
V (Moderate )
15.0
September 8
= 3
7.3
0
Greece , Karpathos
X (Extreme )
15.0
February 9
= 3
7.3
110,000
Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic , north of Ashgabat , Turkmenistan
X (Extreme )
15.0
October 5
= 4
7.2
0
Indonesia , Gulf of Tomini
( )
170.0
February 9
= 4
7.2
0
Japan , off the south coast of Honshu
VII (Very strong )
15.0
April 17
= 5
7.1
0
Fiji
( )
595.0
January 27
= 5
7.1
0
Indonesia , northeast of Buru
VII (Very strong )
15.0
March 1
= 5
7.1
0
United States , south of Alaska Peninsula
VI (Strong )
25.0
May 14
= 5
7.1
800
Republic of China (1912-1949) , Sichuan Province
X (Extreme )
55.0
May 25
= 6
7.0
0
Fiji
( )
581.6
January 4
= 6
7.0
0
Fiji
( )
143.6
January 22
= 6
7.0
0
Philippines , northwest of Luzon
( )
15.0
March 3
= 6
7.0
4
Peru , Lima Region
( )
51.2
May 28
= 6
7.0
0
Argentina , Salta Province
desc=1|VII}
30.0
August 25
= 6
7.0
0
Philippines , Dinagat Island
( )
100.0
September 2
= 6
7.0
0
Costa Rica , San Jose Province
( )
38.5
November 19
= 6
7.0
0
Chile , Antofagasta Region
VII (Very strong )
100.0
December 26
Note : At least 7.0 magnitude
Notable events
January
February
February Strongest magnitude 7.3 Mw Greece Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 2 6.0–6.9 1
March
March Strongest magnitude 7.1 Mw Indonesia Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 2 6.0–6.9 1
April
April Strongest magnitude 7.2 Mw Japan Deadliest 6.5 Mw Greece 2 deaths Total fatalities 2 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 2
May
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
9 [29] [30]
Japan , southeast of Kyushu
6.7
25.0
VI
11 [31] [32] [33]
Peru , Tacna Region
6.6
58.7
X
1 person was killed and some damage was caused.
1
12 [34]
Japan , off the east coast of Honshu
6.8
20.0
14 [35] [36]
United States , south of the Alaska Peninsula
7.1
25.0
VI
22 [37] [38]
New Zealand , Canterbury, New Zealand
6.5
15.0
VII
25 [39] [40] [41]
Republic of China (1912-1949) , Sichuan Province
7.1
55.0
X
800 people were killed and another 200 were injured in the 1948 Litang earthquake . 600 homes were destroyed.
800
200
26 [42]
United States , south of Kodiak Island , Alaska
6.0
0.0
Depth unknown.
28 [43] [44]
Peru , off the central coast
7.0
51.2
VII
4 people were killed and some damage was caused.
4
June
June Strongest magnitude 6.8 Mw 2 events Deadliest 6.8 Mw Japan 5,131 deaths Total fatalities 5,247 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 0 6.0–6.9 7
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
2 [45]
Indonesia , off the north coast of Sumatra
6.2
0.0
A tsunami was generated. Unknown depth.
15 [46] [47]
Japan , Wakayama Prefecture , Honshu
6.7
24.4
VII
27 [48]
Republic of China (1912-1949) , Yunnan Province
6.8
0.0
VIII
110 people were killed and a further 800 were injured. 600 homes were destroyed. Unknown depth.
110
800
28 [49] [50] [51]
Japan , Fukui Prefecture , Honshu
6.8
10.0
VII
The 1948 Fukui earthquake caused major destruction in the area. 5,131 people were killed and 11,000 were injured. About 63,000 homes were destroyed and another 18,543 were damaged. $1 billion (1948 rate) in property damage was caused.
5,131
11,000
29 [52]
New Zealand , Samoa
6.5
35.0
29 [53]
Soviet Union , Dagestan Republic , Russia
6.0
35.0
30 [54] [55] [56]
Greece , Epirus (region)
6.4
15.0
XI
6 people were killed and some damage was caused.
6
July
July Strongest magnitude 6.5 Mw Peru Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 0 6.0–6.9 2
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
7 [57] [58]
Japan , off the south coast of Honshu
6.4
15.0
V
20 [59] [60]
Peru , off the southern coast
6.5
30.0
VI
August
August Strongest magnitude 7.0 Mw Argentina Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 2
September
September Strongest magnitude 7.5 Mw Tonga Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 2 6.0–6.9 1
October
November
November Strongest magnitude 7.0 Mw Costa Rica Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 2
December
December Strongest magnitude 7.0 Mw Chile Deadliest 6.7 Mw Mexico 4 deaths Total fatalities 4 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 6
References
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . January 4, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.4 - Guerrero, Mexico" . United States Geological Survey . January 6, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.4 - Guerrero, Mexico" . United States Geological Survey . January 6, 1948. Retrieved August 21, 2020 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . January 22, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 7.8 - Panay, Philippines" . United States Geological Survey . January 24, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 7.8 - Panay, Philippines" . United States Geological Survey . January 24, 1948. Retrieved August 21, 2020 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: PHILIPPINES: PANAY, ILOILO CITY, ANTIQUE" . National Geophysical Data Center . January 24, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "Tsunami Event: SULU SEA" . National Geophysical Data Center . January 24, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 7.1 - Fiji region" . United States Geological Survey . January 27, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 - Molucca Sea" . United States Geological Survey . January 28, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 7.3 - Dodecanese Islands, Greece" . United States Geological Survey . February 9, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 7.3 - Dodecanese Islands, Greece" . United States Geological Survey . February 9, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: GREECE: DODECANESE ISLANDS" . National Geophysical Data Center . February 9, 1948. Retrieved August 22, 2020 .
^ "Tsunami Event: DODECANESE, KARPATHOS IS" . National Geophysical Data Center . February 9, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . February 9, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.3 - Xinjiang-Xizang border region" . United States Geological Survey . February 13, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.3 - Xinjiang-Xizang border region" . United States Geological Survey . February 13, 1948. Retrieved August 22, 2020 .
^ "M 7.1 - Seram, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey . March 1, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 7.1 - Seram, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey . March 1, 1948. Retrieved August 22, 2020 .
^ "M 7.0 - Philippine Islands region" . United States Geological Survey . March 3, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 - Molucca Sea" . United States Geological Survey . March 13, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 7.2 - near the south coast of western Honshu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . April 17, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 7.2 - near the south coast of western Honshu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . April 17, 1948. Retrieved August 22, 2020 .
^ "M 6.9 - Dominican Republic" . United States Geological Survey . April 21, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.9 - Dominican Republic" . United States Geological Survey . April 21, 1948. Retrieved August 22, 2020 .
^ "M 6.5 - Greece" . United States Geological Survey . April 22, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 - Greece" . United States Geological Survey . April 22, 1948. Retrieved August 22, 2020 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: GREECE: VASILIKI (LEUKAS)" . National Geophysical Data Center . April 22, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.7 - Kyushu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . May 9, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.7 - Kyushu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . May 9, 1948. Retrieved August 25, 2020 .
^ "M 6.6 - southern Peru" . United States Geological Survey . May 11, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.6 - southern Peru" . United States Geological Survey . May 11, 1948. Retrieved August 25, 2020 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: PERU: AREQUIPA,MOQUEGUA,TACNA,TORATA,QUELLAVECO" . National Geophysical Data Center . May 11, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.8 - off the east coast of Honshu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . May 12, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 7.1 - Alaska Peninsula" . United States Geological Survey . May 14, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 7.1 - Alaska Peninsula" . United States Geological Survey . May 14, 1948. Retrieved August 25, 2020 .
^ "M 6.5 - South Island of New Zealand" . United States Geological Survey . May 22, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 - South Island of New Zealand" . United States Geological Survey . May 22, 1948. Retrieved August 25, 2020 .
^ "M 7.1 - western Sichuan, China" . United States Geological Survey . May 25, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 7.1 - western Sichuan, China" . United States Geological Survey . May 25, 1948. Retrieved August 25, 2020 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: CHINA: SICHUAN PROVINCE" . National Geophysical Data Center . May 25, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.0 - Kodiak Island region, Alaska" . United States Geological Survey . May 14, 1948. Retrieved August 25, 2020 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . May 28, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: PERU: CANETE" . National Geophysical Data Center . May 28, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: INDONESIA: OFF NORTHWEST COAST" . National Geophysical Data Center . June 2, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.7 - near the south coast of western Honshu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . June 15, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.7 - near the south coast of western Honshu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . June 15, 1948. Retrieved August 29, 2020 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: CHINA: YUNNAN PROVINCE" . National Geophysical Data Center . June 27, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.8 - near the west coast of Honshu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . June 28, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.8 - near the west coast of Honshu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . June 28, 1948. Retrieved August 29, 2020 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: JAPAN: FUKUI" . National Geophysical Data Center . June 28, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 - Samoa Islands region" . United States Geological Survey . June 29, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . June 29, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.4 - Greece" . United States Geological Survey . June 30, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.4 - Greece" . United States Geological Survey . June 30, 1948. Retrieved August 29, 2020 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: GREECE: TSOUKALADES-KALAMITSI (LEUKAS)" . National Geophysical Data Center . June 30, 1948. Retrieved October 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.4 - near the south coast of western Honshu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . July 7, 1948. Retrieved October 21, 2016 .
^ "M 6.4 - near the south coast of western Honshu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . July 7, 1948. Retrieved August 30, 2020 .
^ "M 6.5 - near the coast of southern Peru" . United States Geological Survey . July 20, 1948. Retrieved October 21, 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 - near the coast of southern Peru" . United States Geological Survey . July 20, 1948. Retrieved August 30, 2020 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . August 11, 1948. Retrieved October 21, 2016 .
^ "M 6.3 - Central Alaska" . United States Geological Survey . August 19, 1948. Retrieved August 30, 2020 .
^ "M 6.3 - Central Alaska" . United States Geological Survey . August 19, 1948. Retrieved August 30, 2020 .
^ "M 7.0 - Salta, Argentina" . United States Geological Survey . August 25, 1948. Retrieved October 21, 2016 .
^ "M 7.0 - Salta, Argentina" . United States Geological Survey . August 25, 1948. Retrieved August 30, 2020 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . September 2, 1948. Retrieved October 21, 2016 .
^ "M 7.5 - Tonga" . United States Geological Survey . September 8, 1948. Retrieved October 21, 2016 .
^ "M 7.5 - Tonga" . United States Geological Survey . September 8, 1948. Retrieved August 30, 2020 .
^ "M 6.8 - Kuril Islands" . United States Geological Survey . September 10, 1948. Retrieved October 21, 2016 .
^ "M 6.8 - Kuril Islands" . United States Geological Survey . September 10, 1948. Retrieved August 30, 2020 .
^ "M 6.3 - Taiwan region" . United States Geological Survey . October 4, 1948. Retrieved October 21, 2016 .
^ "M 6.3 - Taiwan region" . United States Geological Survey . October 4, 1948. Retrieved August 30, 2020 .
^ "M 7.3 - Turkmenistan" . United States Geological Survey . October 5, 1948. Retrieved October 22, 2016 .
^ "M 7.3 - Turkmenistan" . United States Geological Survey . October 5, 1948. Retrieved August 30, 2020 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: TURKMENISTAN: ASHKHABAD" . National Geophysical Data Center . October 5, 1948. Retrieved October 22, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: CHINA: GUIZHOU PROVINCE" . National Geophysical Data Center . October 8, 1948. Retrieved October 22, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . October 28, 1948. Retrieved October 22, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . November 19, 1948. Retrieved October 22, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . November 21, 1948. Retrieved October 22, 2016 .
^ "M 6.6 - New Guinea, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey . November 26, 1948. Retrieved October 22, 2016 .
^ "M 6.6 - New Guinea, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey . November 26, 1948. Retrieved August 30, 2020 .
^ "M 6.7 - off the coast of Nayarit, Mexico" . United States Geological Survey . December 4, 1948. Retrieved October 22, 2016 .
^ "M 6.7 - off the coast of Nayarit, Mexico" . United States Geological Survey . December 4, 1948. Retrieved August 30, 2020 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: MEXICO: MARIA MADRE ISLAND" . National Geophysical Data Center . December 4, 1948. Retrieved October 22, 2016 .
^ "M 6.0 - 16km E of Desert Hot Springs, CA" . United States Geological Survey . December 4, 1948. Retrieved October 22, 2016 .
^ "M 6.0 - 16km E of Desert Hot Springs, CA" . United States Geological Survey . December 4, 1948. Retrieved August 30, 2020 .
^ "M 6.6 - Rat Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska" . United States Geological Survey . December 12, 1948. Retrieved August 30, 2020 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . December 15, 1948. Retrieved October 22, 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 - Komandorskiye Ostrova, Russia region" . United States Geological Survey . December 23, 1948. Retrieved October 22, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: CHILE: ANTOFAGASTA" . National Geophysical Data Center . December 26, 1948. Retrieved October 22, 2016 .
^ "M 6.0 - Northern California" . United States Geological Survey . December 29, 1948. Retrieved August 30, 2020 .
^ "M 6.0 - Northern California" . United States Geological Survey . December 29, 1948. Retrieved August 30, 2020 .
Earthquakes in the 1940s
1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1946
Valais (6.1, January 25)
Aleutian Islands (8.6, April 1) †
Varto–Hınıs (5.9, May 31) †
Vancouver Island (7.3, June 23)
Dominican Republic (8.1, Aug 4) ‡†
Sagaing (8.0, 7.8, Sep 12)
Kyrgyzstan (7.6, Nov 2)
Peru (6.8, Nov 10) †
Hsinhua (6.1, Dec 5) †
Nankai (8.1, Dec 21) †
1948 1949 † indicates earthquake resulting in at least 30 deaths ‡ indicates the deadliest earthquake of the year