List of earthquakes in 1942 explained
Year: | 1942 |
Location Map: | Earth |
Largest: | Peru, Ayacucho Region, (Magnitude 8.1) August 24 |
Deadliest: | Turkey, Samsun Province, (Magnitude 7.0) December 20 1,000 deaths |
Fatalities: | 1,489 |
9.0+: | 0 |
8.0−8.9: | 2 |
7.0−7.9: | 13 |
6.0−6.9: | 43 |
5.0−5.9: | 1 |
This is a list of earthquakes in 1942. 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 year saw an average number of magnitude 7.0+ events. The dominant event this year in terms of deaths was in December in Turkey with 1,000 of the 1,489 deaths for the year. Other deadly events occurred elsewhere in Turkey. Ecuador, China and Albania had earthquakes causing dozens of deaths. An unusually large quake struck the Southwest Indian Ridge in November with a magnitude of 8.0. Spreading ridges usually have smaller magnitude events.
Overall
By death toll
- Note: At least 10 casualties
By magnitude
Rank | Magnitude | Death toll | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|
1 | | | Peru, Ayacucho Region | | | |
2 | | | Southwest Indian Ridge | | | |
3 | | | Ecuador, Manabí Province | | | |
4 | | | Guatemala, off the west coast of Guatemala | | | |
5 | | | , south of Minahasa Peninsula, Dutch East Indies | | | |
= 6 | | | , west of Mindoro, Philippines | | | |
= 6 | | | , Kuril Islands | | | |
= 7 | | | , Papua (province), Dutch East Indies | | | |
= 7 | | | , Mindanao, Philippines | | | |
= 7 | | | central Mid-Atlantic Ridge | | | |
8 | | | | | | |
= 9 | | | United States, Northern Mariana Islands | | | |
= 9 | | | New Zealand Wellington Region, North Island | | | |
= 9 | | | , southeast of the Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia | | | |
= 9 | | | Turkey, Samsun Province | | | | |
- Note: At least 7.0 magnitude
Notable events
January
Month: | January |
8.0–8.9: | 0 |
7.0–7.9: | 2 |
6.0–6.9: | 2 |
Deadliest: | 6.3 Mw China 90 deaths |
Fatalities: | 90 |
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties |
---|
Dead | Injured |
---|
[1] | | 6.0 | 110.0 | | | | |
[2] [3] | | 7.2 | 17.5 | | | | |
[4] | | 7.1 | 110.0 | | | | |
[5] [6] | | 6.3 | 35.0 | | 90 people were killed and at least 1,001 were injured. Many homes collapsed. | 90 | 1,001+ | |
February
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties |
---|
Dead | Injured |
---|
[7] | | 6.9 | 135.0 | | | | |
[8] [9] | | 6.5 | 35.0 | | | | | |
March
Month: | March |
8.0–8.9: | 0 |
7.0–7.9: | 0 |
6.0–6.9: | 3 |
Largest: | 6.9 Mw Japan |
Fatalities: | 0 |
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties |
---|
Dead | Injured |
---|
[10] | | 6.9 | 240.0 | | | | |
[11] | | 6.8 | 25.0 | | | | |
[12] | | 6.0 | 210.0 | | | | | |
April
Month: | April |
8.0–8.9: | 0 |
7.0–7.9: | 1 |
6.0–6.9: | 2 |
Largest: | 7.4 Mw Philippines |
Fatalities: | 0 |
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties |
---|
Dead | Injured |
---|
[13] [14] | | 7.4 | 15.0 | | | | |
[15] | | 6.5 | 140.0 | | | | |
[16] | | 6.5 | 350.0 | | | | | |
May
Month: | May |
8.0–8.9: | 0 |
7.0–7.9: | 2 |
6.0–6.9: | 2 |
5.0-5.9: | 1 |
Largest: | 7.8 Mw Ecuador |
Deadliest: | 7.8 Mw Ecuador 200 deaths |
Fatalities: | 200 |
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties |
---|
Dead | Injured |
---|
[17] | | 6.0 | 35.0 | | | | |
[18] [19] | | 7.8 | 20.0 | | The 1942 Ecuador earthquake killed 200 people. Property damage costs were $2.5 million (1942 rate) and many homes were destroyed. | 200 | |
[20] | | 5.8 | 130.0 | | Some property damage was reported. | | |
[21] | | 6.8 | 60.0 | | | | |
[22] | | 7.5 | 100.0 | | | | | |
June
Month: | June |
8.0–8.9: | 0 |
7.0–7.9: | 2 |
6.0–6.9: | 6 |
Largest: | 7.0 Mw 2 events |
Fatalities: | 0 |
July
Month: | July |
8.0–8.9: | 0 |
7.0–7.9: | 0 |
6.0–6.9: | 5 |
Largest: | 6.8 Mw 2 events |
Deadliest: | 6.0 Mw 51+ deaths |
Fatalities: | 51+ |
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties |
---|
Dead | Injured |
---|
[33] | | 6.8 | 430.0 | | | | |
[34] [35] | | 6.8 | 35.0 | | | | |
[36] | | 6.0 | 0.0 | | At least 51 people were killed, another 51 were injured and some homes were destroyed. | 51+ | 51+ |
[37] [38] | | 6.4 | 55.0 | | | | |
[39] [40] | | 6.7 | 35.0 | | | | | |
August
Month: | August |
8.0–8.9: | 1 |
7.0–7.9: | 1 |
6.0–6.9: | 4 |
Largest: | 8.1 Mw Peru |
Deadliest: | 6.0 Mw 43 deaths |
Fatalities: | 111 |
September
Month: | September |
8.0–8.9: | 0 |
7.0–7.9: | 1 |
6.0–6.9: | 2 |
Fatalities: | 0 |
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties |
---|
Dead | Injured |
---|
[51] | | 6.9 | 80.0 | | | | |
[52] | | 7.0 | 130.0 | | | | |
[53] [54] | | 6.3 | 10.0 | | | | | |
October
Month: | October |
8.0–8.9: | 0 |
7.0–7.9: | 1 |
6.0–6.9: | 4 |
Fatalities: | 0 |
November
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties |
---|
Dead | Injured |
---|
[63] | | 6.8 | 130.0 | | | | |
[64] | | 6.8 | 80.0 | | | | |
[65] | | 8.0 | 10.0 | | This was one of the largest events to strike an ocean spreading ridge. | | |
[66] [67] [68] | | 6.1 | 60.0 | | Some damage was caused. | | |
[69] | | 6.1 | 0.0 | | 16 people were killed and some damage was caused. Unknown depth. | 16 | |
[70] [71] | | 6.7 | 15.0 | | | | |
[72] | | 0.0 | 0.0 | | 17 people were killed and some damage was caused. Unknown depth and magnitude. | 17 | |
[73] | | 7.4 | 65.0 | | | | |
[74] | | 7.2 | 10.0 | | | | |
[75] | | 6.5 | 590.0 | | | | | |
December
Month: | December |
8.0–8.9: | 0 |
7.0–7.9: | 1 |
6.0–6.9: | 5 |
Largest: | 7.0 Mw Turkey |
Deadliest: | 7.0 Mw Turkey 1,000 deaths |
Fatalities: | 1,004 |
Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 310px"Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties |
---|
Dead | Injured |
---|
[76] | | 0.0 | 0.0 | | 4 people were killed and major damage was caused. Magnitude and depth unknown. | 4 | |
[77] | | 6.5 | 100.0 | | | | |
[78] | | 0.0 | 0.0 | | Major damage was reported. Magnitude and depth unknown. | | |
[79] | | 6.7 | 20.0 | | | | |
[80] [81] [82] | | 7.0 | 10.0 | | The 1942 Niksar–Erbaa earthquake caused around 1,000 deaths. Major damage was caused. | 1,000 | |
[83] | | 6.8 | 15.0 | | | | |
[84] | | 6.5 | 35.0 | | | | |
[85] | | 6.0 | 15.0 | | | | | |
Notes and References
- Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 16, 2016 . January 8, 1942.
- Web site: M 7.2 - near the south coast of Papua, Indonesia. United States Geological Survey. June 16, 2016 . January 27, 1942.
- Web site: M 7.2 - near the south coast of Papua, Indonesia. United States Geological Survey. July 23, 2020 . January 27, 1942.
- Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 16, 2016 . January 29, 1942.
- Web site: M 6.3 - China-Laos border region. United States Geological Survey. June 16, 2016 . January 31, 1942.
- Web site: Significant Earthquake Information. National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): NCEI/WDS Global Significant Earthquake Database. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.. 10.7289/V5TD9V7K. March 23, 2024.
- Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 16, 2016 . February 16, 1942.
- Web site: M 6.5 - near the east coast of Honshu, Japan. United States Geological Survey. June 16, 2016 . February 21, 1942.
- Web site: M 6.5 - near the east coast of Honshu, Japan. United States Geological Survey. July 23, 2020 . February 21, 1942.
- Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 16, 2016 . March 5, 1942.
- Web site: M 6.8 - Ryukyu Islands, Japan. United States Geological Survey. June 16, 2016 . March 21, 1942.
- Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 16, 2016 . March 22, 1942.
- Web site: M 7.4 - Mindoro, Philippines. United States Geological Survey. June 16, 2016 . April 8, 1942.
- Web site: M 7.4 - Mindoro, Philippines. United States Geological Survey. July 23, 2020 . April 8, 1942.
- Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 16, 2016 . April 11, 1942.
- Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 16, 2016 . April 20, 1942.
- Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 16, 2016 . May 6, 1942.
- Web site: M 7.8 - Ecuador. United States Geological Survey. June 16, 2016 . May 14, 1942.
- Web site: Significant Earthquake Information. National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): NCEI/WDS Global Significant Earthquake Database. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.. 10.7289/V5TD9V7K. March 23, 2024.
- Web site: Significant Earthquake Information. National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): NCEI/WDS Global Significant Earthquake Database. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.. 10.7289/V5TD9V7K. March 23, 2024.
- Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 16, 2016 . May 24, 1942.
- Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 16, 2016 . May 28, 1942.
- Web site: M 6.3 - Mindanao, Philippines. United States Geological Survey. June 18, 2016 . June 10, 1942.
- Web site: M 6.3 - Mindanao, Philippines. United States Geological Survey. January 10, 2020 . June 10, 1942.
- Web site: M 7.0 - Mariana Islands region. United States Geological Survey. June 18, 2016 . June 14, 1942.
- Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 18, 2016 . June 15, 1942.
- Web site: M 6.8 - State of Yap, Federated States of Micronesia. United States Geological Survey. June 18, 2016 . June 18, 1942.
- Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 18, 2016 . June 20, 1942.
- Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 18, 2016 . June 21, 1942.
- Web site: M 7.0 - North Island of New Zealand. United States Geological Survey. June 18, 2016 . June 24, 1942.
- Web site: M 7.0 - North Island of New Zealand. United States Geological Survey. January 10, 2020 . June 24, 1942.
- Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 18, 2016 . June 29, 1942.
- Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 18, 2016 . July 7, 1942.
- Web site: M 6.8 - Antofagasta, Chile. United States Geological Survey. June 18, 2016 . July 8, 1942.
- Web site: M 6.8 - Antofagasta, Chile. United States Geological Survey. July 23, 2020 . July 8, 1942.
- Web site: Significant Earthquake Information. National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): NCEI/WDS Global Significant Earthquake Database. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.. 10.7289/V5TD9V7K. March 23, 2024.
- Web site: M 6.4 - Leyte, Philippines. United States Geological Survey. June 18, 2016 . July 25, 1942.
- Web site: M 6.4 - Leyte, Philippines. United States Geological Survey. July 23, 2020 . July 25, 1942.
- Web site: M 6.7 - Ceram Sea, Indonesia. United States Geological Survey. June 18, 2016 . July 29, 1942.
- Web site: M 6.7 - Ceram Sea, Indonesia. United States Geological Survey. July 23, 2020 . July 29, 1942.
- Web site: M 6.8 - North Island of New Zealand. United States Geological Survey. June 18, 2016 . August 1, 1942.
- Web site: M 6.8 - North Island of New Zealand. United States Geological Survey. July 23, 2020 . August 1, 1942.
- Web site: M 7.7 - offshore Guatemala. United States Geological Survey. June 18, 2016 . August 6, 1942.
- Web site: M 7.7 - offshore Guatemala. United States Geological Survey. July 23, 2020 . August 6, 1942.
- Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 18, 2016 . August 8, 1942.
- Web site: M 8.1 - central Peru. United States Geological Survey. June 18, 2016 . August 24, 1942.
- Web site: M 8.1 - central Peru. United States Geological Survey. July 23, 2020 . August 24, 1942.
- Web site: Significant Earthquake Information. National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): NCEI/WDS Global Significant Earthquake Database. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.. 10.7289/V5TD9V7K. March 23, 2024.
- Web site: Significant Earthquake Information. National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): NCEI/WDS Global Significant Earthquake Database. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.. 10.7289/V5TD9V7K. March 23, 2024.
- Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 18, 2016 . August 29, 1942.
- Web site: M 6.9 - Fox Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. United States Geological Survey. July 25, 2020 . September 9, 1942.
- Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 18, 2016 . September 14, 1942.
- Web site: M 6.3 - Taiwan. United States Geological Survey. June 18, 2016 . September 24, 1942.
- Web site: M 6.3 - Taiwan. United States Geological Survey. July 25, 2020 . September 24, 1942.
- Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 18, 2016 . October 9, 1942.
- Web site: M 7.2 - Mindanao, Philippines. United States Geological Survey. June 18, 2016 . October 20, 1942.
- Web site: M 7.2 - Mindanao, Philippines. United States Geological Survey. July 25, 2020 . October 20, 1942.
- Web site: M 6.6 - 17km WSW of Westmorland, CA. United States Geological Survey. June 18, 2016 . October 21, 1942.
- Web site: M 6.6 - 17km WSW of Westmorland, CA. United States Geological Survey. July 25, 2020 . October 21, 1942.
- Web site: Fish Creek Mountains Earthquake . Southern California Earthquake Data Center. October 21, 1942 . June 18, 2016.
- Web site: M 6.6 - Kuril Islands. United States Geological Survey. June 18, 2016 . October 26, 1942.
- Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 18, 2016 . October 28, 1942.
- Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 18, 2016 . November 6, 1942.
- Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 18, 2016 . November 7, 1942.
- Web site: M 8.0 - south of Africa. United States Geological Survey. June 18, 2016 . November 10, 1942.
- Web site: M 6.1 - Oaxaca, Mexico. United States Geological Survey. June 18, 2016 . November 12, 1942.
- Web site: M 6.1 - Oaxaca, Mexico. United States Geological Survey. July 25, 2020 . November 12, 1942.
- Web site: Significant Earthquake Information. National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): NCEI/WDS Global Significant Earthquake Database. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.. 10.7289/V5TD9V7K. March 23, 2024.
- Web site: Significant Earthquake Information. National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): NCEI/WDS Global Significant Earthquake Database. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.. 10.7289/V5TD9V7K. March 23, 2024.
- Web site: M 6.7 - near the east coast of Honshu, Japan. United States Geological Survey. June 18, 2016 . November 15, 1942.
- Web site: M 6.7 - near the east coast of Honshu, Japan. United States Geological Survey. July 25, 2020 . November 15, 1942.
- Web site: Significant Earthquake Information. National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): NCEI/WDS Global Significant Earthquake Database. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.. 10.7289/V5TD9V7K. March 23, 2024.
- Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 18, 2016 . November 26, 1942.
- Web site: M 7.2 - central Mid-Atlantic Ridge. United States Geological Survey. June 18, 2016 . November 28, 1942.
- Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 18, 2016 . November 30, 1942.
- Web site: Significant Earthquake Information. National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): NCEI/WDS Global Significant Earthquake Database. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.. 10.7289/V5TD9V7K. March 23, 2024.
- Web site: M 6.5 - Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. United States Geological Survey. July 25, 2020 . December 5, 1942.
- Web site: Significant Earthquake Information. National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): NCEI/WDS Global Significant Earthquake Database. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.. 10.7289/V5TD9V7K. March 23, 2024.
- Web site: M 6.7 - Izu Islands, Japan region. United States Geological Survey. June 18, 2016 . December 19, 1942.
- Web site: M 7.0 - central Turkey. United States Geological Survey. June 18, 2016 . December 20, 1942.
- Web site: M 7.0 - central Turkey. United States Geological Survey. July 25, 2020 . December 20, 1942.
- Web site: Significant Earthquake Information. National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): NCEI/WDS Global Significant Earthquake Database. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.. 10.7289/V5TD9V7K. March 23, 2024.
- Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 18, 2016 . December 22, 1942.
- Web site: On-Line Bulletin. International Seismological Centre. June 18, 2016 . December 26, 1942.
- Web site: Significant Earthquake Information. National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): NCEI/WDS Global Significant Earthquake Database. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.. 10.7289/V5TD9V7K. March 23, 2024.