List of earthquakes in 1920 explained
Year: | 1920 |
Location Map: | Earth |
Largest: | China Ningxia Province 16 December (Magnitude 8.3) |
Deadliest: | China Ningxia Province 16 December (Magnitude 8.3) 242,029 deaths |
Fatalities: | 244,887 |
9.0+: | 0 |
8.0–8.9: | 3 |
7.0–7.9: | 7 |
6.0–6.9: | 29 |
5.0–5.9: | 2 |
This is a list of earthquakes in 1920. 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. With over 200,000 deaths being recorded in China, and substantial fatalities elsewhere, 1920 was one of the deadliest years of the 20th century for earthquakes.
Overall
By death toll
- Note: At least 10 casualties
By magnitude
- Note: At least 7.0 magnitude
Notable events
January
Month: | January |
8.0–8.9: | 0 |
7.0–7.9: | 1 |
6.0–6.9: | 1 |
Deadliest: | 7.8 Mw 648 deaths |
Fatalities: | 648 |
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties |
---|
Dead | Injured |
---|
[1] | | 6.3 | 15.0 | | The 1920 Xalapa earthquake left 648 people were killed and another 167 were injured. Damage was caused. | 648 | 167 |
[2] | | 6.0 | 35.0 | | | | | |
February
Month: | February |
8.0–8.9: | 0 |
7.0–7.9: | 2 |
6.0–6.9: | 3 |
Largest: | 7.8 Mw New Guinea |
Deadliest: | 6.2 Mw Georgia 101+ deaths |
Fatalities: | 101+ |
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties |
---|
Dead | Injured |
---|
[3] [4] | New Guinea, East New Britain Province | 7.8 | 35.0 | | A few homes were destroyed. | | |
[5] | | 6.7 | 35.0 | | | | |
[6] | | 6.4 | 15.0 | | | | |
[7] | | 6.2 | 11.0 | | At least 101 people were killed and many homes were damaged due to the 1920 Gori earthquake. | 101+ | |
[8] | | 7.1 | 355.1 | | | | | |
March
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties |
---|
Dead | Injured |
---|
[9] | | 6.3 | 15.0 | | | | |
[10] | | 7.0 | 10.0 | | | | |
[11] | | 6.4 | 15.0 | | | | | |
April
Month: | April |
8.0–8.9: | 0 |
7.0–7.9: | 0 |
6.0–6.9: | 3 |
Largest: | 6.6 Mw Mexico |
Fatalities: | 0 |
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties |
---|
Dead | Injured |
---|
[12] | New Guinea, Oro Province | 6.3 | 15.0 | | | | |
[13] | | 6.3 | 15.0 | | | | |
[14] | | 6.6 | 35.0 | | | | | |
May
Month: | May |
8.0–8.9: | 0 |
7.0–7.9: | 1 |
6.0–6.9: | 7 |
Largest: | 7.0 Mw New Guinea |
Fatalities: | 0 |
June
Month: | June |
8.0–8.9: | 1 |
7.0–7.9: | 0 |
6.0–6.9: | 1 |
Largest: | 8.2 Mw Taiwan |
Deadliest: | 8.2 Mw Taiwan 8 deaths |
Fatalities: | 8 |
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties |
---|
Dead | Injured |
---|
[23] [24] | Taiwan, east of | 8.2 | 20.0 | | 8 people were killed and 24 were injured. 273 homes were destroyed in the 1920 Hualien earthquake. | 5 | 24 |
[25] | | 6.8 | 15.0 | | | | | |
July
Month: | July |
8.0–8.9: | 0 |
7.0–7.9: | 0 |
6.0–6.9: | 1 |
Largest: | 6.0 Mw Canada |
Fatalities: | 0 |
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties |
---|
Dead | Injured |
---|
[26] | | 6.0 | 35.0 | | | | | |
August
Month: | August |
8.0–8.9: | 0 |
7.0–7.9: | 0 |
6.0–6.9: | 4 |
Largest: | 6.9 Mw 2 events |
Fatalities: | 0 |
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties |
---|
Dead | Injured |
---|
[27] | | 6.9 | 15.0 | | | | |
[28] | | 6.5 | 150.0 | | | | |
[29] | | 6.7 | 35.0 | | | | |
[30] [31] | | 6.9 | 15.0 | | Some homes were damaged or destroyed. | | | |
September
Month: | September |
8.0–8.9: | 1 |
7.0–7.9: | 0 |
6.0–6.9: | 1 |
5.0–5.9: | 1 |
Largest: | 8.1 Mw France |
Deadliest: | 5.8 Mw Italy 1,400 deaths |
Fatalities: | 1,400 |
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties |
---|
Dead | Injured |
---|
[32] | | 5.8 | 10.0 | | There was conflicting information about the 1920 Garfagnana earthquake. Some sources put the death toll as high as 1,400 whereas others report 171 deaths. | 1,400 | |
[33] | | 6.5 | 35.0 | | | | |
[34] [35] | | 8.1 | 25.0 | | A tsunami caused some minor damage. | | | |
October
Month: | October |
8.0–8.9: | 0 |
7.0–7.9: | 1 |
6.0–6.9: | 2 |
Largest: | 7.1 Mw Russia |
Fatalities: | 0 |
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties |
---|
Dead | Injured |
---|
[36] | | 6.7 | 20.0 | | | | |
[37] | | 7.1 | 35.0 | | | | |
[38] | Taiwan, east of | 6.4 | 15.0 | | | | | |
November
Month: | November |
8.0–8.9: | 0 |
7.0–7.9: | 0 |
6.0–6.9: | 1 |
Largest: | 6.2 Mw Albanian Kingdom |
Deadliest: | 6.2 Mw Albanian Kingdom 200 deaths |
Fatalities: | 200 |
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties |
---|
Dead | Injured |
---|
[39] | | 6.2 | 25.0 | | 200 people were killed. Many homes were destroyed. | 200 | | |
December
Month: | December |
8.0–8.9: | 1 |
7.0–7.9: | 1 |
6.0–6.9: | 3 |
5.0–5.9: | 1 |
Largest: | 8.3 Mw China |
Deadliest: | 8.3 Mw China 242,029 deaths |
Fatalities: | 242,530 |
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties |
---|
Dead | Injured |
---|
[40] | | 7.3 | 15.0 | | | | |
[41] [42] | | 8.3 | 15.0 | | The 1920 Haiyuan earthquake was one of the deadliest events of the 20th century. Over 200,000 deaths were caused in the region. Based on a list of cities affected there was at least 242,029 people killed. Property damage was around $25 million (1920 rate). Parts of the regional terrain were affected with uplift or slumping. | 242,029 | |
[43] | | 6.0 | 10.0 | | 400 people were killed and many homes were destroyed in the 1920 Mendoza earthquake. | 400 | |
[44] | | 5.6 | 0.0 | | At least 101 people were killed. Many homes were destroyed. | 101+ | |
[45] | | 6.8 | 35.0 | | | | |
[46] | | 6.8 | 15.0 | | Aftershock. | | | |
Notes and References
- Web site: Significant Earthquake: MEXICO: VERACRUZ: COZAUTLAN, PUEBLA: PATLANALA. National Geophysical Data Center. 17 December 2015 . 3 January 1920.
- Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. 19 December 2015 . 30 January 1920.
- Web site: M 7.8 – New Britain region, Papua New Guinea. United States Geological Survey. 17 December 2015 . 2 February 1920.
- Web site: Significant Earthquake: PAPUA NEW GUINEA: NEW BRITAIN. National Geophysical Data Center. 17 December 2015 . 2 February 1920.
- Web site: Centennial Earthquake Catalog. United States Geological Survey. 17 December 2015 . 7 February 1920.
- Web site: M 6.4 – Puerto Rico region. United States Geological Survey. 17 December 2015 . 10 February 1920.
- Web site: Significant Earthquake: GEORGIA: CAUCASUS: GORI, TIFLIS. National Geophysical Data Center. 17 December 2015 . 20 February 1920.
- Web site: Centennial Earthquake Catalog. United States Geological Survey. 17 December 2015 . 22 February 1920.
- Web site: M 6.3 – off the west coast of northern Sumatra. United States Geological Survey. 17 December 2015 . 17 March 1920.
- Web site: M 7.0 – southern East Pacific Rise. United States Geological Survey. 17 December 2015 . 20 March 1920.
- Web site: M 6.4 – Vancouver Island, Canada region. United States Geological Survey. 17 December 2015 . 29 March 1920.
- Web site: M 6.3 – eastern New Guinea region, Papua New Guinea. United States Geological Survey. 17 December 2015 . 2 April 1920.
- Web site: M 6.3 – Kuril Islands. United States Geological Survey. 17 December 2015 . 11 April 1920.
- Web site: Centennial Earthquake Catalog. United States Geological Survey. 17 December 2015 . 19 April 1920.
- Web site: Centennial Earthquake Catalog. United States Geological Survey. 17 December 2015 . 6 May 1920.
- Web site: M 6.8 – Mindanao, Philippines. United States Geological Survey. 17 December 2015 . 7 May 1920.
- Web site: M 6.8 – Solomon Islands. United States Geological Survey. 18 December 2015 . 7 May 1920.
- Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. 19 December 2015 . 10 May 1920.
- Web site: Centennial Earthquake Catalog. United States Geological Survey. 18 December 2015 . 12 May 1920.
- Web site: M 7.0 – near the north coast of New Guinea, Papua New Guinea. United States Geological Survey. 18 December 2015 . 13 May 1920.
- Web site: M 6.8 – Santa Cruz Islands. United States Geological Survey. 18 December 2015 . 20 May 1920.
- Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. 19 December 2015 . 27 May 1920.
- Web site: M 8.2 – Taiwan. United States Geological Survey. 18 December 2015 . 5 June 1920.
- Web site: Significant Earthquake: TAIWAN. National Geophysical Data Center. 18 December 2015 . 5 June 1920.
- Web site: M 6.8 – Banda Sea. United States Geological Survey. 18 December 2015 . 9 June 1920.
- Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. 19 December 2015 . 7 July 1920.
- Web site: M 6.9 – Catamarca, Argentina. United States Geological Survey. 18 December 2015 . 3 August 1920.
- Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. 19 December 2015 . 13 August 1920.
- Web site: M 6.7 – Santa Cruz Islands. United States Geological Survey. 18 December 2015 . 15 August 1920.
- Web site: M 6.9 – Araucania, Chile. United States Geological Survey. 18 December 2015 . 20 August 1920.
- Web site: Significant Earthquake: CHILE: OFF COAST CENTRAL. National Geophysical Data Center. 18 December 2015 . 20 August 1920.
- Web site: Significant Earthquake: ITALY: CARRARA,GARFAGNANA. National Geophysical Data Center. 18 December 2015 . 7 September 1920.
- Web site: Centennial Earthquake Catalog. United States Geological Survey. 18 December 2015 . 16 September 1920.
- Web site: M 8.1 – Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia. United States Geological Survey. 18 December 2015 . 20 September 1920.
- Web site: Tsunami Event: VANUATU ISLANDS. National Geophysical Data Center. 18 December 2015 . 20 September 1920.
- Web site: M 6.7 – Xinjiang-Xizang border region. United States Geological Survey. 19 December 2015 . 12 October 1920.
- Web site: Centennial Earthquake Catalog. United States Geological Survey. 19 December 2015 . 18 October 1920.
- Web site: M 6.4 – Taiwan region. United States Geological Survey. 19 December 2015 . 20 October 1920.
- Web site: Significant Earthquake: ALBANIA: TEPELENE, DRAGOTI, PESHTANI, MARICAJ . United States Geological Survey. 17 December 2015 . 26 November 1920.
- Web site: M 7.3 – Neuquen, Argentina. United States Geological Survey. 19 December 2015 . 10 December 1920.
- Web site: M 8.3 – Gansu-Ningxia border region, China. United States Geological Survey. 19 December 2015 . 16 December 1920.
- Web site: Significant Earthquake: CHINA: GANSU PROVINCE, SHANXI PROVINCE. United States Geological Survey. 17 December 2015 . 16 December 1920.
- Web site: Significant Earthquake: ARGENTINA: MENDOZA. United States Geological Survey. 17 December 2015 . 17 December 1920.
- Web site: Significant Earthquake: ALBANIA: ELBASAN, PEQIN. United States Geological Survey. 17 December 2015 . 18 December 1920.
- Web site: Centennial Earthquake Catalog. United States Geological Survey. 19 December 2015 . 19 December 1920.
- Web site: M 6.8 – Nei Mongol-Ningxia border region, China. United States Geological Survey. 19 December 2015 . 25 December 1920.