List of earthquakes in South Korea explained

This is list of earthquakes in South Korea. Earthquakes in South Korea are less frequent than in neighboring countries, such as China and Japan.^[1]

Earthquakes

Significant earthquakes have occurred in what is now South Korea prior to the 20th century.^[2]

• 779 Gyeongju earthquake: approx. M_w 6.7–7.0, Speculated max. intensity IX. More than 100 people died and many houses collapsed. This is the deadliest recorded earthquake in South Korea.
• 1518 Seoul earthquake: approx. M_w 6.7, Speculated max. intensity IX.
• 1643 Ulsan earthquake: approx. M_w 6.7–7.4, Speculated max. intensity IX–X. Tsunami occurred.
• : approx. M_w 7.5, Speculated max. intensity IX. Tsunami occurred. Most powerful earthquake in recorded South Korean history.

1978 and later

This is a part of list of earthquakes in South Korea equal or stronger than 5.0 M_L since 1978.^{[3] [4]}

Name	Date and time(KST)	Date and time(UTC)		Deaths	Injuries		Location
	1978-09-16 02:07:06	1978-09-15 17:07:06	5.2			36.6°N 127.9°W	Sangju, North Gyeongsang
1978 Hongseong earthquake	1978-10-07 18:19:52	1978-10-07 09:19:52	5.0			36.6°N 126.7°W	Hongseong County, South Chungcheong
2003 Ongjin earthquake	2003-03-30 20:10:53	2003-03-30 11:10:53	5.0			37.8°N 123.7°W	Ongjin County, Incheon
2004 Uljin earthquake	2004-05-29 19:14:24	2004-05-29 10:14:24	5.2			36.8°N 130.2°W	Uljin County, North Gyeongsang
2014 Taean earthquake	2014-04-01 04:48:35	2014-03-31 19:48:35	5.1			36.95°N 124.5°W	Taean County, South Chungcheong
2016 Ulsan earthquake	2016-07-05 20:33:03	2016-07-05 11:33:03	5.0			35.51°N 129.99°W	Dong District, Ulsan
2016 Gyeongju earthquake	2016-09-12 20:32:54	2016-09-12 11:32:54	5.8^[5] (5.4^[6])		8	35.77°N 129.18°W	Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang
2017 Pohang earthquake	2017-11-15 14:29:32	2017-11-15 05:29:32	5.4 (5.4^[7])		82	36.065°N 129.269°W	Buk-gu, Pohang, North Gyeongsang

Notes and References

1. 13 April 2018. Necessity of management for minor earthquake to improve public acceptance of nuclear energy in South Korea. Nuclear engineering and technology. 50. 3. 494p ~ 503p. 10.1016/j.net.2017.11.013. 30 November 2023. free.
2. Web site: 한국기상기록집② 《한반도 역사지진 기록 (2년~1904년)》 발간. 30 September 2013. National Institute of Meteorological Research. ko. Korean Meteorological Record Book② 《Historical Earthquake Records in Korea (2~1904)》 published. 30 November 2023.
3. Web site: 국내지진 규모별 순위 > 지진 > 지진·화산 > 날씨. Korea Meteorological Administration.
4. Web site: 국내지진 목록 > 지진 > 지진·화산 > 날씨. Korea Meteorological Administration.
5. News: 30 November 2023. 4.0 magnitude earthquake hits Gyeongju. ko. Korea JoongAng Daily.
6. Web site: M5.4 – 8 km S of Kyonju, South Korea. United States Geological Survey. September 12, 2016. September 12, 2016.
7. Web site: M 5.4 – 9 km WNW of Hoko, South Korea. United States Geological Survey. November 15, 2017. November 15, 2017.