List of earthquakes in 1983 explained

Year:	1983
Location Map:	Earth
Largest:	Papua New Guinea, southeast of New Ireland (island), (Magnitude 7.6) March 18
Deadliest:	Turkey, Erzurum Province, (Magnitude 6.8) October 30
Fatalities:	2,608
9.0+:	0
8.0–8.9:	0
7.0–7.9:	14
6.0–6.9:	125
5.0–5.9:	1,664
4.0–4.9:	3,517

This is a list of earthquakes in 1983. Only earthquakes of magnitude 6 or above are included, unless they result in damage and/or casualties, or are notable for some other reason. Events in remote areas will not be listed but included in statistics and maps. Countries are entered on the lists in order of their status in this particular year. 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.

By death toll

Rank	Death toll	Magnitude	Location	MMI	Depth (km)	Date
1			Turkey, Erzurum Province
2			Guinea, Boke Region
3			Colombia, Cauca Department
4			Japan, eastern Sea of Japan
5			China, Shandong Province
6			, Mazandaran Province
7			Afghanistan, Badakhshan Province
8			Philippines, Luzon
9			, Skopje Statistical Region, North Macedonia
10			Peru, Department of Amazonas, Peru
10			Papua New Guinea, East New Britain Province

Listed are earthquakes with at least 10 dead.

By magnitude

Rank	Magnitude	Death toll	Location	MMI	Depth (km)	Date
1			Papua New Guinea, southeast of New Ireland
2			Japan, eastern Sea of Japan
2			Chile, Atacama Region
2			Afghanistan, Badakhshan Province
5			Indonesia, Banda Sea
5			United Kingdom, Chagos Archipelago
7			United Kingdom, South Sandwich Islands
8			Costa Rica, Puntarenas Province
8			, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia
10			Greece, Ionian Islands
10			New Zealand, Kermadec Islands
10			Peru, Department of Amazonas, Peru
10			, Sistan and Baluchistan Province
10			Guatemala, off the west coast

Listed are earthquakes with at least 7.0 magnitude.

By month

January

Month:	January
8.0–8.9:	0
7.0–7.9:	2
6.0–6.9:	11
5.0–5.9:	155
4.0–4.9:	382
Largest:	7.0 Mw 2 events reached this magnitude
Fatalities:	0

Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 280px"

Country and location	Mw	Depth (km)	MMI	Notes	Casualties
Dead					Injured
^[1]		6.3	172.0
^[2]		6.4	33.0
^[3] ^[4]	Papua New Guinea, off the east coast	6.7	234.9		Some damage was caused to communications systems.
^[5] ^[6]		7.0	14.3		Some damage was caused.
^[7] ^[8]		6.3	56.8		Some damage was caused.
^[9] ^[10]		6.8	78.0
^[11]		7.0	238.0

February

Month:	February
8.0–8.9:	0
7.0–7.9:	0
6.0–6.9:	9
5.0–5.9:	115
4.0–4.9:	279
Largest:	6.9 Mw Chile
Deadliest:	4.7 Mw, Macedonia SR 12 deaths
Fatalities:	12

Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 280px"

Country and location	Mw	Depth (km)	MMI	Notes	Casualties
Dead					Injured
^[12] ^[13]		6.3	51.0
^[14] ^[15] ^[16]		6.2	16.1		2 injuries were reported as well as damage.		2
^[17] ^[18]		5.7	105.0		1 person was injured and minor damage was reported.		1
^[19] ^[20]		6.5	47.0
^[21] ^[22]		6.4	60.5
^[23] ^[24] ^[25]		4.7	24.4		12 people died after suffering heart attacks. Some damage was reported with costs reaching $500,000 (1983 rate).	12
^[26] ^[27]		6.9	146.0		Minor damage was caused.
^[28] ^[29]		5.3	49.2		Major damage was caused.
^[30] ^[31]		5.9	78.3		11 people were injured.		11

March

Month:	March
8.0–8.9:	0
7.0–7.9:	1
6.0–6.9:	9
5.0–5.9:	119
4.0–4.9:	321
Largest:	7.6 Mw Papua New Guinea
Deadliest:	5.5 Mw Colombia 350 deaths
Fatalities:	381

Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 280px"

Country and location	Mw	Depth (km)	MMI	Notes	Casualties
Dead					Injured
^[32] ^[33]		5.9	82.4		10 people were injured whilst evacuating buildings.		10
^[34]		6.2	33.0
^[35] ^[36]		6.0	33.0		Foreshock to following event.
^[37] ^[38] ^[39]		6.7	16.9		Some damage was reported. A tsunami was observed locally.
^[40] ^[41]		5.3	43.2		1 person was killed and 2 were injured. Some damage was reported.	1	2
^[42] ^[43]		6.7	41.0
^[44] ^[45] ^[46]		7.6	88.8		Property damage and landslides were caused by the shaking. A tsunami was observed in the area.
^[47] ^[48]		6.4	80.1		Aftershock of March 18 event.
^[49] ^[50]		6.7	68.0
^[51] ^[52] ^[53]		6.4	19.1		7 people were injured. 160 homes sustained damage. Aftershock of January 17 event.		7
^[54] ^[55] ^[56]		5.2	33.0		30 people were killed and 61 were hurt. Many homes were damaged with costs reaching $5 million (1983 rate).	30	61
^[57] ^[58] ^[59]		5.5	22.2		Despite the moderate magnitude the 1983 Popayan earthquake caused major destruction in the area. Up to 350 people died and 1,200 were injured. $410.9 million (1983 rate) worth of damage was caused.	350	1,200

April

Month:	April
8.0–8.9:	0
7.0–7.9:	3
6.0–6.9:	5
Largest:	7.1 Mw Costa Rica
Deadliest:	7.1 Mw Costa Rica 6 deaths
Fatalities:	6

Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 260px"

Country and location	Mw	Depth (km)	MMI	Notes	Casualties
Dead					Injured
3^[60]	Costa Rica, 12 North of Golfito	7.1	37.0	VII	5 people died from heart attacks, another was killed from a collapsed building and 4 people were injured.	6	4
4^[61]	Indonesia, 68 Km Southwest of Sabang	6.9	78.5	VII	Some damage in Banda Aceh	-	-
4^[62]	, Kuril Islands	6.5	51.0	V	-	-	-
8^[63]	Yemen, Owen Fracture Zone	6.7	10.0	I	-	-	-
12^[64]	Peru, 92 km northeast of La Peca	7.0	104.2	VII	-	-	-
18^[65]	, Saravan	7.0	64.0	VII	-	-	-
24^[66]	Solomon Islands, 124 Km Southeast of Gizo	6.4	12.4	VII	-	-	-
30^[67]	, Hokkaido	6.5	30.4	V	-	-	-

May

Month:	May
8.0–8.9:	0
7.0–7.9:	3
6.0–6.9:	4
Largest:	7.4 Mw Japan
Deadliest:	7.4 Mw Japan 104 deaths
Fatalities:	104

Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 260px"

Country and location	Mw	Depth (km)	MMI	Notes	Casualties
Dead					Injured
2^[68]	, California	6.7	9.6	VIII	The 1983 Coalinga earthquake destroyed an 8-story building in Coalinga, 94 people were injured.	-	94
10^[69]	, Kimbe	6.5	112.4	VI	-	-	-
10^[70]	Papua New Guinea, Kokopo	6.7	71.6	VI	-	-	-
15^[71]	Tonga, 168 Km Northwest of Pangai	6.5	33.0	I	-	-	-
26^[72]	Japan, Japanese Sea	7.4	23.7	VII	The 1983 Sea of Japan earthquake was One of the largest earthquakes in 1983, 104 people were killed and 324 were injured.	104	324

June

Month:	June
8.0–8.9:	0
7.0–7.9:	0
6.0–6.9:	6
Fatalities:	0

Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 260px"

Country and location	Mw	Depth (km)	MMI	Notes	Casualties
Dead					Injured
1^[73]	Tonga, 147 Km Southwest of Hihifo	6.6	179.6	II	-	-	-
9^[74]	, Southern Hokkaido	6.3	28.0	V	This Was an Aftershock to the 7.8 earthquake on May 26.	-	-
21^[75]	Japan, 122 Km Northwest of Hokkaido	6.7	9.9	V	An aftershock to the 7.8 earthquake on May 26, some damage was caused and a 1m (03feet) high tsunami was observed.	-	-
21^[76]	, Chinese Sea	6.4	36.9	V	-	-	-
24^[77]	, 45 Km Northeast of Dien Bien Phu	6.3	18.4	VII	This Was a Foreshock to the 6.9 earthquake a Few Hours Later.	-	-
24^[78]	, 43 Km West of Dien Bien Phu	6.9	33.0	VII	-	-	-

July

Month:	July
8.0–8.9:	0
7.0–7.9:	0
6.0–6.9:	7
Largest:	6.9 Mw United Kingdom
Deadliest:	5 deaths
Fatalities:	7

Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 260px"

Country and location	Mw	Depth (km)	MMI	Notes	Casualties
Dead					Injured
3^[79]	, 17 Km South of Pejibaye	6.5	33.0	VII	2 people were killed and 60 were injured.	2	60
5^[80]	, Southeast of the Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia	6.5	33.0	III	-	-	-
5^[81]	, 10 Km North of Biga	6.1	10.0	IX	The 1983 Biga earthquake Killed 5 People and Injured 26 More.	5	26
11^[82]	, South Shetland Islands	6.9	10.0	IV	-	-	-
12^[83]	, 37 Km Northwest of Tatitlek, Alaska	6.6	37.0	VI	Some Damage Occurred in Valdez	-	-
24^[84]	, 82 Km North of Yelizovo, Russia	6.2	180.4	IV	-	-	-
24^[85]	, 49 Km North of Komodo	6.4	48.1	VI	-	-	-

August

Month:	August
8.0–8.9:	0
7.0–7.9:	1
6.0–6.9:	4
Largest:	7.1 Mw Russia
Deadliest:	16 deaths
Fatalities:	16

Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 260px"

Country and location	Mw	Depth (km)	MMI	Notes	Casualties
Dead					Injured
6^[86]	, Aegean Sea	6.8	2.4	VII	Some Damage Occurred to Buildings	-	-
17^[87]	Russia, Kamchatka	7.1	62.6	VII	-	-	-
17^[88]	, 16 km Northeast of Piddig	6.5	28.8	VIII	16 people were killed and 47 people were injured.	16	47
25^[89]	, Hiroshima	6.5	126.4	V	One Person was Injured and Some Landslides Occurred.	-	1
30^[90]	Tonga, 201 Southeast of Hihifo	6.1	38.7	IV	-	-	-

September

Month:	September
8.0–8.9:	0
7.0–7.9:	0
6.0–6.9:	4
Largest:	6.7 Mw Wallis and Futuna
Fatalities:	0

Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 260px"

Country and location	Mw	Depth (km)	MMI	Notes	Casualties
Dead					Injured
7^[91]	, 46 km Northwest of Tatitlek, Alaska	6.4	45.0	VI	Some Damage Occurred in Anchorage.	-	-
12^[92]	, Badakhshan	6.2	208.8	IV	Some Damage Occurred in Kashmir, Pakistan.	-	-
15^[93]	, Chiapas	6.3	115.2	V	-	-	-
17^[94]	Wallis and Futuna	6.7	33.0	IV	-	-	-

October

Month:	October
8.0–8.9:	0
7.0–7.9:	2
6.0–6.9:	5
Deadliest:	6.8 1,342 deaths
Fatalities:	1,349

Date! rowspan="2" style="width: 260px"

Country and location	Mw	Depth (km)	MMI	Notes	Casualties
Dead					Injured
4^[95]	, Atacama Region	7.4	14.8	VIII	At least 5 people were killed, and 24 people were injured.	5	24
6^[96]	, 94 km southeast of Kurchatov	6.0	1.0	II	This earthquake was caused by an Underground nuclear explosion	-	-
15^[97]	offshore, 58 km West of Gizo	6.5	7.4	VI	-	-	-
16^[98]	, 231 Northwest of Gorontalo	6.5	40.1	VII	At least 17 buildings had collapsed in the epicentral area.	-	-
22	, South Sandwich Islands	7.2	24.0	VI	-	-	-
28^[99]	, Idaho	6.9	10.0	IX	The 1983 Borah Peak earthquake was the largest earthquake ever recorded in Idaho, 2 people were killed with an equal amount injured.	2	2
30^[100]	, 27 km East of Narman	6.8	11.6	IX	The 1983 Erzurum earthquake completely destroyed 50 villages in Erzurum and Kars, 1,342 people were Killed and 534 people were injured.	1,342	534

Notes and References

1. Web site: M 6.3 - 42 km S of Desaguadero, Peru. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. January 1, 1983.
2. Web site: M 6.4 - Tonga. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. January 8, 1983.
3. Web site: M 6.7 - 140 km N of Lae, Papua New Guinea. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. January 16, 1983.
4. Web site: M 6.7 - 140 km N of Lae, Papua New Guinea. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. January 16, 1983.
5. Web site: M 7.0 - 26 km SW of Lixoúri, Greece. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. January 17, 1983.
6. Web site: M 7.0 - 26 km SW of Lixoúri, Greece. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. January 17, 1983.
7. Web site: M 6.3 - 5 km SW of Salina Cruz, Mexico. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. January 24, 1983.
8. Web site: M 6.3 - 5 km SW of Salina Cruz, Mexico. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. January 24, 1983.
9. Web site: M 6.8 - 166 km NE of Bamboo Flat, India. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. January 24, 1983.
10. Web site: M 6.8 - 166 km NE of Bamboo Flat, India. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. January 24, 1983.
11. Web site: M 7.0 - Kermadec Islands region. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. January 26, 1983.
12. Web site: M 6.3 - 77 km ESE of Mangili, Philippines. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. February 12, 1983.
13. Web site: M 6.3 - 77 km ESE of Mangili, Philippines. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. February 12, 1983.
14. Web site: M 6.2 - 90 km NW of Kashgar, China. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. February 13, 1983.
15. Web site: M 6.2 - 90 km NW of Kashgar, China. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. February 13, 1983.
16. Web site: Significant Earthquake: CHINA: XINJIANG WEIWUER ZIZHIQU PROVINCE: WUQUA S. National Geophysical Data Center. July 10, 2021. February 13, 1983.
17. Web site: M 5.7 - 33 km N of Yigo Village, Guam. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. February 13, 1983.
18. Web site: M 5.7 - 33 km N of Yigo Village, Guam. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. February 13, 1983.
19. Web site: M 6.5 - 94 km ESE of Sand Point, Alaska. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. February 14, 1983.
20. Web site: M 6.5 - 94 km ESE of Sand Point, Alaska. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. February 14, 1983.
21. Web site: M 6.4 - 78 km ESE of Caburan, Philippines. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. February 20, 1983.
22. Web site: M 6.4 - 78 km ESE of Caburan, Philippines. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. February 20, 1983.
23. Web site: M 4.7 - 1 km WSW of ?????????, North Macedonia. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. February 25, 1983.
24. Web site: M 4.7 - 1 km WSW of ?????????, North Macedonia. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. February 25, 1983.
25. Web site: Significant Earthquake: BALKANS NW: MACEDONIA: SKOPJE. National Geophysical Data Center. July 10, 2021. February 25, 1983.
26. Web site: M 6.9 - 77 km SE of Palca, Peru. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. February 25, 1983.
27. Web site: M 6.9 - 77 km SE of Palca, Peru. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. February 25, 1983.
28. Web site: M 5.3 - 36 km SE of Rasht, Tajikistan. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. February 26, 1983.
29. Web site: M 5.3 - 36 km SE of Rasht, Tajikistan. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. February 26, 1983.
30. Web site: M 5.9 - 1 km NE of Nagareyama, Japan. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. February 27, 1983.
31. Web site: M 5.9 - 1 km NE of Nagareyama, Japan. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. February 27, 1983.
32. Web site: M 5.9 - 48 km N of Güiria, Venezuela. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. March 8, 1983.
33. Web site: M 5.9 - 48 km N of Güiria, Venezuela. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. March 8, 1983.
34. Web site: M 6.2 - 54 km E of Shikotan, Russia. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. March 10, 1983.
35. Web site: M 6.0 - 49 km SW of Ambon, Indonesia. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. March 12, 1983.
36. Web site: M 6.0 - 49 km SW of Ambon, Indonesia. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. March 12, 1983.
37. Web site: M 6.7 - 49 km SW of Ambon, Indonesia. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. March 12, 1983.
38. Web site: M 6.7 - 49 km SW of Ambon, Indonesia. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. March 12, 1983.
39. Web site: Significant Earthquake: INDONESIA: BANDA SEA. National Geophysical Data Center. July 10, 2021. March 12, 1983.
40. Web site: M 5.3 - 15 km SSE of Shinshiro, Japan. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. March 15, 1983.
41. Web site: M 5.3 - 15 km SSE of Shinshiro, Japan. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. March 15, 1983.
42. Web site: M 6.7 - 120 km SSE of Pondaguitan, Philippines. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. March 15, 1983.
43. Web site: M 6.7 - 120 km SSE of Pondaguitan, Philippines. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. March 15, 1983.
44. Web site: M 7.6 - 157 km ESE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. March 18, 1983.
45. Web site: M 7.6 - 157 km ESE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. March 18, 1983.
46. Web site: Significant Earthquake: PAPUA NEW GUINEA: NEW IRELAND. National Geophysical Data Center. July 10, 2021. March 18, 1983.
47. Web site: M 6.4 - 106 km ESE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. March 20, 1983.
48. Web site: M 6.4 - 106 km ESE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. March 20, 1983.
49. Web site: M 6.7 - 41 km SW of Vaini, Tonga. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. March 21, 1983.
50. Web site: M 6.7 - 41 km SW of Vaini, Tonga. United States Geological Survey. July 10, 2021. March 21, 1983.
51. Web site: M 6.4 - 18 km NW of Lixoúri, Greece. United States Geological Survey. July 11, 2021. March 23, 1983.
52. Web site: M 6.4 - 18 km NW of Lixoúri, Greece. United States Geological Survey. July 11, 2021. March 23, 1983.
53. Web site: Significant Earthquake: GREECE: VONITSA. National Geophysical Data Center. July 11, 2021. March 23, 1983.
54. Web site: M 5.2 - 31 km NE of Dam?vand, Iran. United States Geological Survey. July 11, 2021. March 25, 1983.
55. Web site: M 5.2 - 31 km NE of Dam?vand, Iran. United States Geological Survey. July 11, 2021. March 25, 1983.
56. Web site: Significant Earthquake: IRAN: TEHRAN, DAMAVOND, AMOI. National Geophysical Data Center. July 11, 2021. March 25, 1983.
57. Web site: M 5.5 - 8 km WNW of Popayán, Colombia. United States Geological Survey. July 11, 2021. March 31, 1983.
58. Web site: M 5.5 - 8 km WNW of Popayán, Colombia. United States Geological Survey. July 11, 2021. March 31, 1983.
59. Web site: Significant Earthquake: COLOMBIA: SW, POPAYAN. National Geophysical Data Center. July 11, 2021. March 31, 1983.
60. Web site: 3 April 1983. M 7.1, Costa Rica.
61. Web site: 4 April 1983. M 6.9, Sabang, Indonesia.
62. Web site: 4 April 1983. M 6.5, Kuril Islands.
63. Web site: 8 April 1983. M 6.7, Owen Fracture Zone.
64. Web site: 12 April 1983. M 7.0, La Peca, Peru.
65. Web site: 18 April 1983. M 7.0, Iran.
66. Web site: 24 April 1983. M 6.4, Gizo, Solomon Islands.
67. Web site: 30 April 1983. M 6.5, Southern Hokkaido.
68. Web site: 2 May 1983. M 6.7, California.
69. Web site: 10 May 1983. M 6.5, Kimbe, Papua New Guinea.
70. Web site: 10 May 1983. M 6.7, Papua New Guinea.
71. Web site: 15 May 1983. M 6.5, Tonga.
72. Web site: 26 May 1983. M 7.8, Japan.
73. Web site: 1 June 1983. M 6.6, Tonga.
74. Web site: 9 June 1983. M 6.3, Southern Hokkaido, Japan.
75. Web site: 21 June 1983. M 6.7, Southern Hokkaido, Japan.
76. Web site: 21 June 1983. M 6.4, China Sea.
77. Web site: 24 June 1983. M 6.3, Vietnam.
78. Web site: 24 June 1983. M 6.9, Vietnam.
79. Web site: 3 July 1983. M 6.5, 17 Km South of Pejibaye, Costa Rica.
80. Web site: 5 July 1983. M 6.5, Southeast of the Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia.
81. Web site: 5 July 1983. M 6.1, 10 Km North of Biga, Turkey.
82. Web site: 11 July 1983. M 6.9, South Shetland Islands.
83. Web site: 12 July 1983. M 6.6, Alaska.
84. Web site: 24 July 1983. M 6.2, Kamchatka, Russia.
85. Web site: 24 July 1983. M 6.4, Indonesia.
86. Web site: 6 August 1983. M 6.8, Greece.
87. Web site: 17 August 1983. M 7.1, Kamchatka, Russia.
88. Web site: 17 August 1983. M 6.5, Piddig, Philippines.
89. Web site: 25 August 1983. M 6.5, Southern Hokkaido.
90. Web site: 30 August 1983. M 6.1, Tonga.
91. Web site: 7 September 1983. M 6.4, Alaska.
92. Web site: 12 September 1983. M 6.2, Hindu Kush, Afghanistan.
93. Web site: 15 September 1983. M 6.3, Mexico.
94. Web site: 17 September 1983. M 6.7, Pacific Ocean.
95. Web site: 4 October 1983. 3 August 2021. United States Geological Survey. M 7.4 - 54 km WSW of Diego de Almagro, Chile.
96. Web site: 6 October 1983. 3 August 2021. United States Geological Survey. M 6.0 - 94 km SSE of Kurchatov, Kazakhstan.
97. Web site: 15 October 1983. 3 August 2021. United States Geological Survey. M 6.5 - 58 km W of Gizo, Solomon Islands.
98. Web site: 16 October 1983. 3 August 2021. United States Geological Survey. M 6.5 - 231 km WNW of Gorontalo, Indonesia.
99. Web site: 28 October 1983. 3 August 2021. United States Geological Survey. M 6.9 - The 1983 Borah Peak Earthquake, Idaho.
100. Web site: 30 October 1983. 3 August 2021. United States Geological Survey. M 6.8 - 27 km E of Narman, Turkey.