This is a list of earthquakes in 1971. 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. Like the previous year, 1971 had heightened seismic activity. 20 earthquakes exceeded magnitude 7 with 2 of those measuring above magnitude 8. Both of the magnitude 8 events happened within a 12-day span in July in Papua New Guinea. A fairly robust aftershock sequence followed which contributed to the number of magnitude 7+ events. Chile, Russia and Indonesia had significant events during the year. The deadliest earthquake accounting for the vast majority of the 1,290 fatalities occurred in Turkey in May. 1,000 died in this event coming not long after another deadly event elsewhere in the country. In February, Los Angeles, California was jolted by one of its largest events resulting in 65 deaths.
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Sandaun Province, Papua New Guinea on January 1 at a depth of 35.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of V (Moderate).[1]
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge on January 3 at a depth of 15.0 km.[2]
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Papua (province), Indonesia on January 10 at a depth of 30.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of IX (Violent).[3] A few homes collapsed while some more sustained damage.[4]
A magnitude 6.6 aftershock struck Papua (province), Indonesia on January 10 at a depth of 30.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[5]
A magnitude 6.0 aftershock struck Papua (province), Indonesia on January 10 at a depth of 30.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of V (Moderate).[9]
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia on February 4 at a depth of 30.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[12] Some damage was caused.[13]
A magnitude 4.6 earthquake struck Lazio, Italy on February 6 at a depth of 33.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VIII (Severe). Although a fairly modest magnitude there was major destruction. 24 people were killed and 150 injured. 40 homes were destroyed and 1,678 sustained damage. Costs were around $41 million (1971 rate).[14]
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck the San Fernando Valley, California on February 9 at a depth of 9.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of IX (Violent).[17] This was one of the most destructive earthquakes to affect southern California. 65 people were killed and over 2,000 were injured. Damage costs were $505 million (1971 rate).[18]
A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck Semnan Province, Iran on February 14 at a depth of 18.5 km.[19] 1 person died and some damage was caused.[20]
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck south of Fiji on February 15 at a depth of 587.2 km.[21]
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck Madang Province, Papua New Guinea on March 13 at a depth of 111.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of V (Moderate).[24]
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck off the east coast of Mindanao, Philippines on March 16 at a depth of 58.5 km.[25]
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck east of Jan Mayen Island, Norway on March 23 at a depth of 15.0 km.[26]
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck western Xinjiang Province, China on March 23 at a depth of 15.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[27]
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck southern Qinghai Province, China on March 24 at a depth of 10.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VIII (Severe).[28]
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck off the east coast of Honshu, Japan on April 4 at a depth of 35.0 km.[29]
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck northeast of Halmahera, Indonesia on April 7 at a depth of 31.3 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of V (Moderate).[30]
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia on April 8 at a depth of 75.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of V (Moderate).[31]
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Hormozgan Province, Iran on April 12 at a depth of 15.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[32] 1 person was killed and major damage was reported.[33]
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck Yunnan Province, China on April 28 at a depth of 10.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[34]
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck the Sibuyan Sea, Philippines on April 29 at a depth of 11.7 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[35]
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the Andreanof Islands, United States on May 2 at a depth of 24.2 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[36]
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck the Solomon Islands on May 3 at a depth of 10.0 km.[37]
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck the Sunda Strait, Indonesia on May 4 at a depth of 45.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of V (Moderate).[38]
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck South Sulawesi, Indonesia on May 7 at a depth of 26.8 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of V (Moderate).[39]
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Burdur Province, Turkey on May 12 at a depth of 22.5 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of V (Moderate).[41] 100 people died and at least 101 were injured. Major damage was caused.[42]
A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Bingol Province, Turkey on May 22 at a depth of 10.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VIII (Severe).[46] 1,000 people died and at least 51 were injured. Damage costs were around $5 million (1971 rate).[47]
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck off the southeast coast of Kyushu, Japan on May 25 at a depth of 30.0 km.[48]
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck off the southeast coast of Kyushu, Japan on May 26 at a depth of 51.1 km.[49]
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck off the southeast coast of Kyushu, Japan on May 29 at a depth of 35.0 km.[50]
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Kachin State, Myanmar on May 30 at a depth of 15.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VIII (Severe).[51]
A magnitude 6.1 aftershock struck Kachin State, Myanmar on May 31 at a depth of 20.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VIII (Severe).[52]
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck off the south coast of the Dominican Republic on June 11 at a depth of 35.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of V (Moderate).[53] At least 51 people were injured and some damage was reported.[54]
A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck the Rat Islands, Alaska on June 11 at a depth of 25.0 km.[55]
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Amur Oblast, Russia on June 14 at a depth of 10.0 km.[56]
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck western Xinjiang Province, China on June 15 at a depth of 11.9 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of IV (Light).[57]
A magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck Central Java, Indonesia on June 16 at a depth of 35.0 km. 1 person died and another 6 people were injured. 1,377 homes were damaged.[58]
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Antofagasta Region, Chile on June 17 at a depth of 91.7 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[59] 1 person died and some damage was caused.[60]
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck northeast of Masbate Island, Philippines on July 2 at a depth of 25.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[61]
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Valparaiso Region, Chile on July 9 at a depth of 60.3 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[62] 83 people were killed and 447 injured. Extensive damage was reported with costs of around $236 million (1971 rate).[63]
A magnitude 6.4 aftershock struck off the coast of Valparaiso Region, Chile on July 11 at a depth of 35.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[64]
A magnitude 8.0 earthquake struck southeast of New Ireland (island), Papua New Guinea on July 14 at a depth of 40.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VIII (Severe). This was part of a doublet as another large event struck later in the month. To minimise cluttering only aftershocks greater than magnitude 6.5 will be noted.[65] 2 people were killed by the earthquake. Another died in a tsunami which followed. 5 people were injured. Some damage was reported.[66][67]
A magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck Parma, Italy on July 15 at a depth of 7.0 km. 2 people died and some damage was reported.[69]
A magnitude 6.6 aftershock struck southeast of New Ireland (island), Papua New Guinea on July 18 at a depth of 47.5 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of V (Moderate).[70]
A magnitude 7.0 aftershock struck southeast of New Ireland (island), Papua New Guinea on July 19 at a depth of 35.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[71]
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck northeast of Masbate Island, Philippines on July 25 at a depth of 40.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[73]
A magnitude 8.1 earthquake struck southeast of New Ireland (island), Papua New Guinea on July 26 at a depth of 40.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VIII (Severe). This was the second part of the doublet as another magnitude 8.0 event struck 12 days earlier. To minimise cluttering only aftershocks greater than magnitude 6.5 will be noted.[74] Some damage was reported in the area due to a tsunami.[75]
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck southern Xinjiang Province, China on July 26 at a depth of 20.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of V (Moderate).[76]
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Loreto Region, Peru on July 27 at a depth of 120.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[79] 1 person was killed and at least 51 were injured. Some damage was caused.[80]
A magnitude 6.6 aftershock struck south of New Ireland (island), Papua New Guinea on July 27 at a depth of 40.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of V (Moderate).[81]
A magnitude 6.5 aftershock struck south of New Ireland (island), Papua New Guinea on July 28 at a depth of 24.5 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[82]
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck off the south coast of Hokkaido, Japan on August 2 at a depth of 54.8 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[83] Some damage was caused.[84]
A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck Mazandaran Province, Iran on August 9 at a depth of 20.0 km.[85] 1 person died and some damage was caused.[86]
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck Fiji on August 14 at a depth of 25.0 km.[88]
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Fiji on August 14 at a depth of 25.0 km. This came around a minute after the previous event.[89]
A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck Sichuan Province, China on August 16 at a depth of 20.0 km.[90] At least 1 person died and a few homes were destroyed.[91]
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck off the east coast of Taiwan on August 19 at a depth of 25.6 km.[92]
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck off the north coast of mainland Papua New Guinea on August 23 at a depth of 10.0 km.[93]
A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck southwest of Sakhalin Island, Russia on September 5 at a depth of 18.1 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[94] Some damage was caused.[95]
A magnitude 6.1 aftershock struck southwest of Sakhalin Island, Russia on September 6 at a depth of 19.2 km.[96]
A magnitude 6.8 aftershock struck southwest of Sakhalin Island, Russia on September 8 at a depth of 17.5 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[97]
A magnitude 6.5 aftershock struck southwest of Sakhalin Island, Russia on September 8 at a depth of 20.0 km.[98]
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Tonga on September 10 at a depth of 20.0 km.[99]
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the Banda Sea, Indonesia on September 16 at a depth of 131.0 km.[100]
A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea on September 25 at a depth of 110.8 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of V (Moderate).[101] Some damage was caused.[102]
A magnitude 6.6 aftershock struck southwest of Sakhalin Island, Russia on September 27 at a depth of 18.4 km.[103]
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck the Gulf of California, Mexico on September 30 at a depth of 15.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[104]
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck east of Vanuatu on October 3 at a depth of 10.0 km.[108]
A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck west of Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea on October 4 at a depth of 45.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VI (Strong).[109]
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck Apurimac Region, Peru on October 15 at a depth of 35.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of IV (Light).[110] 5 people were killed and major damage was reported.[111]
A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Vanuatu on October 27 at a depth of 45.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of V (Moderate).[114] 1 person was killed and at least 51 were injured. Major damage was reported.[115]
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck Vanuatu on October 28 at a depth of 35.0 km.[116]
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck off the east coast of Taiwan on October 30 at a depth of 35.0 km.[117]
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Hormozgan Province, Iran on November 8 at a depth of 20.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[118]
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck south of Fiji on November 20 at a depth of 543.1 km.[119]
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Santa Cruz Islands, Solomon Islands on November 21 at a depth of 113.1 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[120]
A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia on November 24 at a depth of 125.0 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of VII (Very strong).[121]
A magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia on December 15 at a depth of 27.5 km. The shock had a maximum intensity of X (Extreme).[126]