List of earthquakes in 1940 explained

Year:1940
Location Map:Earth
Largest: Peru, Lima Region (Magnitude 8.2) May 24
Deadliest: Romania, Vrancea County (Magnitude 7.8) November 10 1,000 deaths
Fatalities:1,448
9.0+:0
8.0−8.9:1
7.0−7.9:12
6.0−6.9:79
5.0−5.9:2

This is a list of earthquakes in 1940. 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. Overall, with 13 magnitude 7.0+ events worldwide, this was a fairly busy year. The death toll was substantially lower than 1939. The most significant event in terms of lives lost was in Romania in November with 1,000 deaths. Other quakes in China and Peru resulted in significant fatalities.

Overall

By death toll

RankDeath tollMagnitudeLocationMMIDepth (km)Date
1 Romania, Vrancea County
2 China, Yunnan Province
3 Peru, Lima Region
4 China, Inner Mongolia
5 Georgian SSR, Imereti
6 Japan, eastern Sea of Japan

By magnitude

RankMagnitudeDeath tollLocationMMIDepth (km)Date
1 Peru, Lima Region
2 Romania, Vrancea County
3 United States, Northern Mariana Islands
= 4 United States, Northern Mariana Islands
= 4 Japan, eastern Sea of Japan
5 United States, Rat Islands, Alaska
6 China, Heilongjiang Province
7 France, southeast of the Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia
8, La Paz Department (Bolivia)
= 9
= 9 Japan, southern Sea of Japan
= 9 Philippines, southeast of Mindanao
= 9 Chile, Chiloé Island, Los Lagos Region

Notable events

January

Month:January
8.0–8.9:0
7.0–7.9:2
6.0–6.9:2
Largest:7.5 Mw United States
Deadliest:6.0 Mw China
51+ deaths
Fatalities:51+
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"
Country and locationMwDepth (km)MMINotesCasualties
DeadInjured
[1] 7.2 180.0
[2] 7.5 15.0
[3] [4] 6.0 35.0 At least 51 people were killed and many homes were destroyed. 51+
[5] 6.6 15.0

February

Month:February
8.0–8.9:0
7.0–7.9:1
6.0–6.9:6
Fatalities:0
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"
Country and locationMwDepth (km)MMINotesCasualties
DeadInjured
[6] 6.5 70.0
[7] Fiji, south of 6.6 220.0
[8] [9] 6.8 0.0 Depth unknown.
[10] 7.0 210.0
[11] , off the north coast of 6.3 15.0
[12] 6.0 35.0
[13] 6.0 35.0

March

Month:March
8.0–8.9:0
7.0–7.9:0
6.0–6.9:4
Largest:6.6 Mw Philippines
Fatalities:0
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"
Country and locationMwDepth (km)MMINotesCasualties
DeadInjured
[14] 6.5 500.0
[15] 6.0 50.0
[16] 6.6 200.9
[17] 6.0 50.0

April

Month:April
8.0–8.9:0
7.0–7.9:0
6.0–6.9:9
Largest:6.9 Mw United States 2 events
Deadliest:6.0 Mw China
181 deaths
Fatalities:181
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"
Country and locationMwDepth (km)MMINotesCasualties
DeadInjured
[18] 6.6 35.0
[19] 6.5 220.0
[20] [21] 6.0 35.0 181 people died and another 475 were injured. 11,556 homes were destroyed. 181 475
[22] 6.0 35.0
[23] 6.9 30.0 Doublet earthquake.
[24] 6.9 30.0
[25] 6.0 400.0
[26] 6.5 35.0 Doublet earthquake.
[27] 6.5 35.0

May

Month:May
8.0–8.9:1
7.0–7.9:0
6.0–6.9:13
Largest:8.2 Mw Peru
Deadliest:8.2 Mw Peru
179 deaths
Fatalities:204
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"
Country and locationMwDepth (km)MMINotesCasualties
DeadInjured
[28] 6.2 580.0
[29] 6.3 15.0
[30] Peru, off the coast of northern 6.0 35.0
[31] [32] 6.5 50.0 16 deaths were caused and some damage was reported. 16
[33] 6.5 80.0
[34] [35] 6.9 6.0 9 people died in the 1940 El Centro earthquake. Major damage was caused in the area. Costs were $33 million (1940 rate). 9
[36] 6.6 575.0
[37] 6.2 35.0
[38] 6.5 350.0
[39] [40] 8.2 45.0 1940 Lima earthquake

179 people were killed and 3,500 were injured. Many homes were destroyed.

179 3,500
[41] 6.6 45.0 Aftershock.
[42] 6.2 240.0
[43] 6.6 35.0
[44] 6.2 35.0

June

Month:June
8.0–8.9:0
7.0–7.9:0
6.0–6.9:8
5.0-5.9:1
Deadliest:5.5 Mw China
2 deaths
Fatalities:2
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"
Country and locationMwDepth (km)MMINotesCasualties
DeadInjured
[45] 6.2 35.0
[46] 6.5 10.0
[47] 6.2 35.0
[48] 6.2 35.0
[49] 6.5 100.0
[50] [51] 6.0 0.0 Depth unknown.
[52] 6.5 570.0
[53] 5.5 0.0 2 deaths and 20 injuries were caused. Many homes were destroyed. 2 20
[54] 6.6 170.0

July

Month:July
8.0–8.9:0
7.0–7.9:2
6.0–6.9:4
Largest:7.4 Mw United States
Fatalities:0
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"
Country and locationMwDepth (km)MMINotesCasualties
DeadInjured
[55] 6.5 160.0
[56] 7.3 575.0
[57] 7.4 65.0
[58] 6.3 15.0
[59] 6.5 35.0
[60] 6.2 35.0

August

Month:August
8.0–8.9:0
7.0–7.9:2
6.0–6.9:4
5.0-5.9:1
Largest:7.5 Mw Japan
Deadliest:7.5 Mw Japan
10 deaths
Fatalities:10
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"
Country and locationMwDepth (km)MMINotesCasualties
DeadInjured
[61] Fiji, south of 6.6 500.0
[62] [63] [64] 7.5 15.0 A tsunami was triggered by the 1940 Shakotan earthquake resulting in 10 deaths due to drowning. 20 homes were destroyed. The earthquake caused some damage. 10
[65] 5.8 0.0 1,190 homes were destroyed.
[66] 6.2 110.0
[67] 7.0 15.0
[68] [69] 6.9 15.0
[70] 6.0 110.0

September

Month:September
8.0–8.9:0
7.0–7.9:0
6.0–6.9:10
Largest:6.8 Mw Philippines
Fatalities:0
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"
Country and locationMwDepth (km)MMINotesCasualties
DeadInjured
[71] 6.5 160.0
[72] 6.6 75.5
[73] 6.5 110.0
[74] 6.5 15.0
[75] 6.2 250.0
[76] 6.8 640.0
[77] 6.5 550.0
[78] 6.0 600.0
[79] 6.6 135.0
[80] 6.2 110.0

October

Month:October
8.0–8.9:0
7.0–7.9:2
6.0–6.9:11
Largest:7.0 Mw 2 events
Fatalities:0
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"
Country and locationMwDepth (km)MMINotesCasualties
DeadInjured
[81] 6.5 45.0
[82] 6.2 110.0 Foreshock.
[83] 6.0 35.0
[84] 6.9 35.0
[85] 6.2 35.0
[86] 6.4 15.0 Aftershock.
[87] 7.0 15.0
[88] [89] 6.0 0.0
[90] 7.0 35.0
[91] 6.5 150.0
[92] 6.0 140.0
[93] 6.6 45.0
[94] 6.6 35.0

November

Month:November
8.0–8.9:0
7.0–7.9:1
6.0–6.9:3
Largest:7.8 Mw Romania
Deadliest:7.8 Mw Romania
1,000 deaths
Fatalities:1,000
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"
Country and locationMwDepth (km)MMINotesCasualties
DeadInjured
[95] 6.6 440.0
[96] [97] 7.8 90.0 The 1940 Vrancea earthquake caused 1,000 deaths despite being at an intermediate depth. Extensive property damage was caused with costs reaching $10 million (1940 rate). 1,000
[98] 6.7 44.2
[99] 6.0 570.0

December

Month:December
8.0–8.9:0
7.0–7.9:2
6.0–6.9:5
Largest:7.7 Mw United States
Fatalities:0
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"
Country and locationMwDepth (km)MMINotesCasualties
DeadInjured
[100] 6.3 35.0
[101] 6.1 6.0
[102] 6.5 35.0
[103] 6.0 35.0
[104] 6.5 150.0
[105] 7.1 220.0
[106] 7.7 15.0

Notes and References

  1. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 2, 2016 . January 6, 1940.
  2. Web site: M 7.5 - Mariana Islands region. United States Geological Survey. June 2, 2016 . January 17, 1940.
  3. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 2, 2016 . January 19, 1940.
  4. Web site: Significant Earthquake: CHINA: NEI MONGOL. National Geophysical Data Center. June 2, 2016 . January 19, 1940.
  5. Web site: M 6.6 - west of the Bonin Islands, Japan. United States Geological Survey. June 2, 2016 . January 26, 1940.
  6. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 2, 2016 . February 12, 1940.
  7. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 2, 2016 . February 12, 1940.
  8. Web site: M 6.8 - Alaska Peninsula. United States Geological Survey. October 31, 2019 . February 12, 1940.
  9. Web site: M 6.8 - Alaska Peninsula. United States Geological Survey. October 31, 2019 . February 12, 1940.
  10. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 2, 2016 . February 20, 1940.
  11. Web site: M 6.3 - near the north coast of New Guinea, Papua New Guinea. United States Geological Survey. June 2, 2016 . February 24, 1940.
  12. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 2, 2016 . February 27, 1940.
  13. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 2, 2016 . February 29, 1940.
  14. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 2, 2016 . March 9, 1940.
  15. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 2, 2016 . March 19, 1940.
  16. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 2, 2016 . March 28, 1940.
  17. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 2, 2016 . March 31, 1940.
  18. Web site: M 6.6 - Papua, Indonesia. United States Geological Survey. June 2, 2016 . April 1, 1940.
  19. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 2, 2016 . April 5, 1940.
  20. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 2, 2016 . April 6, 1940.
  21. Web site: Significant Earthquake: CHINA: YUNNAN PROVINCE. National Geophysical Data Center. June 2, 2016 . April 6, 1940.
  22. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 2, 2016 . April 8, 1940.
  23. Web site: M 6.9 - Near Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. United States Geological Survey. June 2, 2016 . April 16, 1940.
  24. Web site: M 6.9 - Near Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. United States Geological Survey. June 2, 2016 . April 16, 1940.
  25. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 2, 2016 . April 20, 1940.
  26. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 2, 2016 . April 27, 1940.
  27. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 2, 2016 . April 27, 1940.
  28. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 5, 2016 . May 1, 1940.
  29. Web site: M 6.3 - northeastern Iran. United States Geological Survey. June 5, 2016 . May 4, 1940.
  30. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 5, 2016 . May 5, 1940.
  31. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 5, 2016 . May 7, 1940.
  32. Web site: Significant Earthquake: TURKEY-CIS. National Geophysical Data Center. June 5, 2016 . May 7, 1940.
  33. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 5, 2016 . May 11, 1940.
  34. Web site: M 6.9 - 4km N of Holtville, CA. United States Geological Survey. June 5, 2016 . May 19, 1940.
  35. Web site: M 6.9 - 4km N of Holtville, CA. United States Geological Survey. November 22, 2019 . May 19, 1940.
  36. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 5, 2016 . May 19, 1940.
  37. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 5, 2016 . May 19, 1940.
  38. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 5, 2016 . May 21, 1940.
  39. Web site: M 8.2 - near the coast of central Peru. United States Geological Survey. June 5, 2016 . May 24, 1940.
  40. Web site: Significant Earthquake: PERU. National Geophysical Data Center. June 5, 2016 . May 24, 1940.
  41. Web site: M 6.6 - near the coast of central Peru. United States Geological Survey. June 5, 2016 . May 24, 1940.
  42. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 5, 2016 . May 27, 1940.
  43. Web site: M 6.6 - near the north coast of Papua, Indonesia. United States Geological Survey. June 5, 2016 . May 28, 1940.
  44. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 5, 2016 . May 29, 1940.
  45. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 5, 2016 . June 3, 1940.
  46. Web site: M 6.5 - northern Yukon Territory, Canada. United States Geological Survey. June 5, 2016 . June 5, 1940.
  47. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 5, 2016 . June 7, 1940.
  48. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 5, 2016 . June 11, 1940.
  49. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 5, 2016 . June 12, 1940.
  50. Web site: M 6.0 - Hawaii region, Hawaii. United States Geological Survey. November 22, 2019 . June 17, 1940.
  51. Web site: M 6.0 - Hawaii region, Hawaii. United States Geological Survey. November 22, 2019 . June 17, 1940.
  52. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 5, 2016 . June 18, 1940.
  53. Web site: Significant Earthquake: CHINA: YUNNAN PROVINCE. National Geophysical Data Center. June 5, 2016 . June 19, 1940.
  54. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 5, 2016 . June 22, 1940.
  55. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 5, 2016 . July 6, 1940.
  56. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 5, 2016 . July 10, 1940.
  57. Web site: M 7.4 - Rat Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. United States Geological Survey. November 23, 2019 . July 14, 1940.
  58. Web site: M 6.3 - Celebes Sea. United States Geological Survey. June 5, 2016 . July 21, 1940.
  59. Web site: M 6.5 - Guatemala. United States Geological Survey. June 5, 2016 . July 27, 1940.
  60. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 5, 2016 . July 30, 1940.
  61. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 8, 2016 . August 1, 1940.
  62. Web site: M 7.5 - eastern Sea of Japan. United States Geological Survey. June 8, 2016 . August 1, 1940.
  63. Web site: Significant Earthquake: JAPAN: W. HOKKAIDO ISLAND. National Geophysical Data Center. December 2, 2019 . August 1, 1940.
  64. Web site: Tsunami Event: W. HOKKAIDO ISLAND. National Geophysical Data Center. June 8, 2016 . August 1, 1940.
  65. Web site: Significant Earthquake: CHINA: LIAONING PROVINCE. National Geophysical Data Center. June 8, 2016 . August 5, 1940.
  66. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 8, 2016 . August 7, 1940.
  67. Web site: M 7.0 - Sea of Japan. United States Geological Survey. June 8, 2016 . August 13, 1940.
  68. Web site: M 6.9 - south of the Aleutian Islands. United States Geological Survey. June 8, 2016 . August 22, 1940.
  69. Web site: M 6.9 - south of the Aleutian Islands. United States Geological Survey. June 8, 2016 . August 22, 1940.
  70. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 8, 2016 . August 26, 1940.
  71. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 8, 2016 . September 12, 1940.
  72. Web site: M 6.6 - New Britain region, Papua New Guinea. United States Geological Survey. June 8, 2016 . September 12, 1940.
  73. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 8, 2016 . September 18, 1940.
  74. Web site: M 6.5 - southeast of the Loyalty Islands. United States Geological Survey. June 8, 2016 . September 19, 1940.
  75. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 8, 2016 . September 21, 1940.
  76. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 8, 2016 . September 22, 1940.
  77. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 8, 2016 . September 23, 1940.
  78. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 8, 2016 . September 24, 1940.
  79. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 8, 2016 . September 26, 1940.
  80. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 8, 2016 . September 29, 1940.
  81. Web site: M 6.5 - Atacama, Chile. United States Geological Survey. June 8, 2016 . October 1, 1940.
  82. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 8, 2016 . October 3, 1940.
  83. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 8, 2016 . October 4, 1940.
  84. Web site: M 7.2 - near the coast of Tarapacá, Chile. United States Geological Survey. June 8, 2016 . October 4, 1940.
  85. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 8, 2016 . October 5, 1940.
  86. Web site: M 6.4 - near the coast of Tarapacá, Chile. United States Geological Survey. June 8, 2016 . October 6, 1940.
  87. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 8, 2016 . October 7, 1940.
  88. Web site: M 6.0 - Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. United States Geological Survey. December 3, 2019 . October 11, 1940.
  89. Web site: M 6.0 - Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. United States Geological Survey. December 3, 2019 . October 11, 1940.
  90. Web site: M 6.9 - Isla Chiloe, Los Lagos, Chile. United States Geological Survey. June 8, 2016 . October 11, 1940.
  91. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 8, 2016 . October 22, 1940.
  92. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 8, 2016 . October 23, 1940.
  93. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 8, 2016 . October 24, 1940.
  94. Web site: M 6.6 - Costa Rica. United States Geological Survey. June 8, 2016 . October 27, 1940.
  95. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 8, 2016 . November 7, 1940.
  96. Web site: M 7.8 - Romania. United States Geological Survey. June 8, 2016 . November 10, 1940.
  97. Web site: Significant Earthquake: ROMANIA. National Geophysical Data Center. June 8, 2016 . November 10, 1940.
  98. Web site: M 6.7 - near the east coast of Honshu, Japan. United States Geological Survey. June 8, 2016 . November 19, 1940.
  99. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 8, 2016 . November 22, 1940.
  100. Web site: M 6.3 - Seram, Indonesia. United States Geological Survey. June 8, 2016 . December 4, 1940.
  101. Web site: M 6.1 - 126km S of Estacion Coahuila, B.C., MX. United States Geological Survey. December 5, 2019 . December 7, 1940.
  102. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 8, 2016 . December 17, 1940.
  103. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 8, 2016 . December 18, 1940.
  104. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 8, 2016 . December 18, 1940.
  105. Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 8, 2016 . December 22, 1940.
  106. Web site: M 7.7 - Mariana Islands region. United States Geological Survey. June 8, 2016 . December 28, 1940.

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