Earthquakes in 1948 Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1948
Strongest magnitude Philippines , Panay (Magnitude 7.8) 24 JanuaryDeadliest Soviet Union , north of Ashgabat , Turkmenistan (Magnitude 7.3) 5 October, 110,000 deathsTotal fatalities 116,135 9.0+ 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 18 6.0–6.9 32 5.0–5.9 1
This is a list of earthquakes in 1948 . 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 would go down as one of the deadliest years of the 20th century. The main factor behind this was the earthquake which struck Turkmenistan that left 110,000 people dead in early October. This was the deadliest single earthquake since 1923 when a great quake struck Tokyo. Other events during the year caused many deaths including one in Japan in June which resulted in over 5,000 deaths. The number of magnitude 7.0+ events (18) was around normal with the biggest event being in the Philippines measuring 7.8. Clusters of large events were reported in Latin America and the southwest Pacific particularly Fiji in the early part of the year.
Note : At least 10 casualties
Rank
Magnitude
Death toll
Location
MMI
Depth (km)
Date
1
7.8
74
Philippines , Panay
IX (Violent )
15.0
24 January
2
7.5
0
Tonga
V (Moderate )
15.0
8 September
3
7.3
0
Greece , Karpathos
X (Extreme )
15.0
9 February
3
7.3
110,000
Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic , north of Ashgabat
X (Extreme )
15.0
5 October
4
7.2
0
Indonesia , Gulf of Tomini
( )
170.0
9 February
4
7.2
0
Japan , off the south coast of Honshu
VII (Very strong )
15.0
17 April
5
7.1
0
Fiji
( )
595.0
27 January
5
7.1
0
Indonesia , northeast of Buru
VII (Very strong )
15.0
1 March
5
7.1
0
United States , south of Alaska Peninsula
VI (Strong )
25.0
14 May
5
7.1
800
China , Sichuan Province
X (Extreme )
55.0
25 May
6
7.0
0
Fiji
( )
581.6
4 January
6
7.0
0
Fiji
( )
143.6
22 January
6
7.0
0
Philippines , northwest of Luzon
( )
15.0
3 March
6
7.0
4
Peru , Lima Region
( )
51.2
28 May
6
7.0
0
Argentina , Salta Province
VII (Very strong )
30.0
25 August
6
7.0
0
Philippines , Dinagat Island
( )
100.0
2 September
6
7.0
0
Costa Rica , San Jose Province
( )
38.5
19 November
6
7.0
0
Chile , Antofagasta Region
VII (Very strong )
100.0
26 December
Note : At least 7.0 magnitude
January Strongest magnitude 7.8 Mw Philippines Deadliest 7.8 Mw Philippines 74 deaths Total fatalities 74 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 4 6.0–6.9 2
February Strongest magnitude 7.3 Mw Greece Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 2 6.0–6.9 1
March Strongest magnitude 7.1 Mw Indonesia Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 2 6.0–6.9 1
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
1 [ 18] [ 19]
Indonesia, northeast of Buru
7.1
15.0
VII
3 [ 20]
Philippines, northwest of Luzon
7.0
15.0
13 [ 21]
Indonesia, Molucca Sea
6.5
15.0
April Strongest magnitude 7.2 Mw Japan Deadliest 6.5 Mw Greece 2 deaths Total fatalities 2 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 2
May Strongest magnitude 7.1 Mw 2 events Deadliest 7.1 Mw Republic of China 800 deaths Total fatalities 805 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 3 6.0–6.9 5
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
9 [ 29] [ 30]
Japan, southeast of Kyushu
6.7
25.0
VI
11 [ 31] [ 32] [ 33]
Peru, Tacna Region
6.6
58.7
X
1 person was killed and some damage was caused.
1
12 [ 34]
Japan, off the east coast of Honshu
6.8
20.0
14 [ 35] [ 36]
United States, south of the Alaska Peninsula
7.1
25.0
VI
22 [ 37] [ 38]
New Zealand, Canterbury, New Zealand
6.5
15.0
VII
25 [ 39] [ 40] [ 41]
Republic of China, Sichuan
7.1
55.0
X
800 people were killed and another 200 were injured in the 1948 Litang earthquake . 600 homes were destroyed.
800
200
26 [ 42]
United States, south of Kodiak Island , Alaska
6.0
0.0
Depth unknown.
28 [ 43] [ 44]
Peru, off the central coast
7.0
51.2
VII
4 people were killed and some damage was caused.
4
June Strongest magnitude 6.8 Mw 2 events Deadliest 6.8 Mw Japan 5,131 deaths Total fatalities 5,247 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 0 6.0–6.9 7
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
2 [ 45]
Indonesia, off the north coast of Sumatra
6.2
0.0
A tsunami was generated. Unknown depth.
15 [ 46] [ 47]
Japan, Wakayama Prefecture , Honshu
6.7
24.4
VII
27 [ 48]
Republic of China, Yunnan
6.8
0.0
VIII
110 people were killed and a further 800 were injured. 600 homes were destroyed. Unknown depth.
110
800
28 [ 49] [ 50] [ 51]
Japan, Fukui Prefecture , Honshu
6.8
10.0
VII
The 1948 Fukui earthquake caused major destruction in the area. 5,131 people were killed and 11,000 were injured. About 63,000 homes were destroyed and another 18,543 were damaged. $1 billion (1948 rate) in property damage was caused.
5,131
11,000
29 [ 52]
New Zealand, Western Samoa
6.5
35.0
29 [ 53]
Soviet Union, Dagestan Republic , Russia
6.0
35.0
30 [ 54] [ 55] [ 56]
Greece, Epirus (region)
6.4
15.0
XI
6 people were killed and some damage was caused.
6
July Strongest magnitude 6.5 Mw Peru Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 0 6.0–6.9 2
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
7 [ 57] [ 58]
Japan, off the south coast of Honshu
6.4
15.0
V
20 [ 59] [ 60]
Peru, off the southern coast
6.5
30.0
VI
August Strongest magnitude 7.0 Mw Argentina Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 2
September Strongest magnitude 7.5 Mw Tonga Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 2 6.0–6.9 1
October Strongest magnitude 7.3 Mw Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic Deadliest 7.3 Mw Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic 110,000 deaths Total fatalities 110,003 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 2 5.0–5.9 1
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
4 [ 71] [ 72]
Taiwan, off the east coast
6.3
15.0
V
5 [ 73] [ 74] [ 75]
Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic, north of Ashgabat
7.3
15.0
X
The 1948 Ashgabat earthquake was one of the worst of the 20th century. 110,000 people were killed. Many (at least 1,001) were injured. Ashgabat was almost destroyed. Some parts of northern Iran suffered heavy damage. Damage costs were $25 million (1948 rate).
110,000
1,001
8 [ 76]
Republic of China, Guizhou
5.8
0.0
VIII
3 people were killed and 75 were injured. Many homes were damaged or destroyed. Unknown depth.
3
75
28 [ 77]
Japan, off the east coast of Honshu
6.5
65.0
November Strongest magnitude 7.0 Mw Costa Rica Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 2
December Strongest magnitude 7.0 Mw Chile Deadliest 6.7 Mw Mexico 4 deaths Total fatalities 4 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 6
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . 4 January 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.4 – Guerrero, Mexico" . United States Geological Survey . 6 January 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.4 – Guerrero, Mexico" . United States Geological Survey . 6 January 1948. Retrieved 21 August 2020 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . 22 January 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 7.8 – Panay, Philippines" . United States Geological Survey . 24 January 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 7.8 – Panay, Philippines" . United States Geological Survey . 24 January 1948. Retrieved 21 August 2020 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: PHILIPPINES: PANAY, ILOILO CITY, ANTIQUE" . National Geophysical Data Center . 24 January 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "Tsunami Event: SULU SEA" . National Geophysical Data Center . 24 January 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 7.1 – Fiji region" . United States Geological Survey . 27 January 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 – Molucca Sea" . United States Geological Survey . 28 January 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 7.3 – Dodecanese Islands, Greece" . United States Geological Survey . 9 February 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 7.3 – Dodecanese Islands, Greece" . United States Geological Survey . 9 February 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: GREECE: DODECANESE ISLANDS" . National Geophysical Data Center . 9 February 1948. Retrieved 22 August 2020 .
^ "Tsunami Event: DODECANESE, KARPATHOS IS" . National Geophysical Data Center . 9 February 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . 9 February 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.3 – Xinjiang-Xizang border region" . United States Geological Survey . 13 February 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.3 – Xinjiang-Xizang border region" . United States Geological Survey . 13 February 1948. Retrieved 22 August 2020 .
^ "M 7.1 – Seram, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey . 1 March 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 7.1 – Seram, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey . 1 March 1948. Retrieved 22 August 2020 .
^ "M 7.0 – Philippine Islands region" . United States Geological Survey . 3 March 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 – Molucca Sea" . United States Geological Survey . 13 March 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 7.2 – near the south coast of western Honshu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . 17 April 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 7.2 – near the south coast of western Honshu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . 17 April 1948. Retrieved 22 August 2020 .
^ "M 6.9 – Dominican Republic" . United States Geological Survey . 21 April 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.9 – Dominican Republic" . United States Geological Survey . 21 April 1948. Retrieved 22 August 2020 .
^ "M 6.5 – Greece" . United States Geological Survey . 22 April 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 – Greece" . United States Geological Survey . 22 April 1948. Retrieved 22 August 2020 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: GREECE: VASILIKI (LEUKAS)" . National Geophysical Data Center . 22 April 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.7 – Kyushu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . 9 May 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.7 – Kyushu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . 9 May 1948. Retrieved 25 August 2020 .
^ "M 6.6 – southern Peru" . United States Geological Survey . 11 May 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.6 – southern Peru" . United States Geological Survey . 11 May 1948. Retrieved 25 August 2020 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: PERU: AREQUIPA,MOQUEGUA,TACNA,TORATA,QUELLAVECO" . National Geophysical Data Center . 11 May 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.8 – off the east coast of Honshu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . 12 May 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 7.1 – Alaska Peninsula" . United States Geological Survey . 14 May 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 7.1 – Alaska Peninsula" . United States Geological Survey . 14 May 1948. Retrieved 25 August 2020 .
^ "M 6.5 – South Island of New Zealand" . United States Geological Survey . 22 May 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 – South Island of New Zealand" . United States Geological Survey . 22 May 1948. Retrieved 25 August 2020 .
^ "M 7.1 – western Sichuan, China" . United States Geological Survey . 25 May 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 7.1 – western Sichuan, China" . United States Geological Survey . 25 May 1948. Retrieved 25 August 2020 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: CHINA: SICHUAN PROVINCE" . National Geophysical Data Center . 25 May 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.0 – Kodiak Island region, Alaska" . United States Geological Survey . 14 May 1948. Retrieved 25 August 2020 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . 28 May 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: PERU: CANETE" . National Geophysical Data Center . 28 May 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: INDONESIA: OFF NORTHWEST COAST" . National Geophysical Data Center . 2 June 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.7 – near the south coast of western Honshu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . 15 June 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.7 – near the south coast of western Honshu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . 15 June 1948. Retrieved 29 August 2020 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: CHINA: YUNNAN PROVINCE" . National Geophysical Data Center . 27 June 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.8 – near the west coast of Honshu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . 28 June 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.8 – near the west coast of Honshu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . 28 June 1948. Retrieved 29 August 2020 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: JAPAN: FUKUI" . National Geophysical Data Center . 28 June 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 – Samoa Islands region" . United States Geological Survey . 29 June 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . 29 June 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.4 – Greece" . United States Geological Survey . 30 June 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.4 – Greece" . United States Geological Survey . 30 June 1948. Retrieved 29 August 2020 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: GREECE: TSOUKALADES-KALAMITSI (LEUKAS)" . National Geophysical Data Center . 30 June 1948. Retrieved 8 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.4 – near the south coast of western Honshu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . 7 July 1948. Retrieved 21 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.4 – near the south coast of western Honshu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . 7 July 1948. Retrieved 30 August 2020 .
^ "M 6.5 – near the coast of southern Peru" . United States Geological Survey . 20 July 1948. Retrieved 21 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 – near the coast of southern Peru" . United States Geological Survey . 20 July 1948. Retrieved 30 August 2020 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . 11 August 1948. Retrieved 21 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.3 – Central Alaska" . United States Geological Survey . 19 August 1948. Retrieved 30 August 2020 .
^ "M 6.3 – Central Alaska" . United States Geological Survey . 19 August 1948. Retrieved 30 August 2020 .
^ "M 7.0 – Salta, Argentina" . United States Geological Survey . 25 August 1948. Retrieved 21 October 2016 .
^ "M 7.0 – Salta, Argentina" . United States Geological Survey . 25 August 1948. Retrieved 30 August 2020 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . 2 September 1948. Retrieved 21 October 2016 .
^ "M 7.5 – Tonga" . United States Geological Survey . 8 September 1948. Retrieved 21 October 2016 .
^ "M 7.5 – Tonga" . United States Geological Survey . 8 September 1948. Retrieved 30 August 2020 .
^ "M 6.8 – Kuril Islands" . United States Geological Survey . 10 September 1948. Retrieved 21 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.8 – Kuril Islands" . United States Geological Survey . 10 September 1948. Retrieved 30 August 2020 .
^ "M 6.3 – Taiwan region" . United States Geological Survey . 4 October 1948. Retrieved 21 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.3 – Taiwan region" . United States Geological Survey . 4 October 1948. Retrieved 30 August 2020 .
^ "M 7.3 – Turkmenistan" . United States Geological Survey . 5 October 1948. Retrieved 22 October 2016 .
^ "M 7.3 – Turkmenistan" . United States Geological Survey . 5 October 1948. Retrieved 30 August 2020 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: TURKMENISTAN: ASHKHABAD" . National Geophysical Data Center . 5 October 1948. Retrieved 22 October 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: CHINA: GUIZHOU PROVINCE" . National Geophysical Data Center . 8 October 1948. Retrieved 22 October 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . 28 October 1948. Retrieved 22 October 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . 19 November 1948. Retrieved 22 October 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . 21 November 1948. Retrieved 22 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.6 – New Guinea, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey . 26 November 1948. Retrieved 22 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.6 – New Guinea, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey . 26 November 1948. Retrieved 30 August 2020 .
^ "M 6.7 – off the coast of Nayarit, Mexico" . United States Geological Survey . 4 December 1948. Retrieved 22 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.7 – off the coast of Nayarit, Mexico" . United States Geological Survey . 4 December 1948. Retrieved 30 August 2020 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: MEXICO: MARIA MADRE ISLAND" . National Geophysical Data Center . 4 December 1948. Retrieved 22 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.0 – 16km E of Desert Hot Springs, CA" . United States Geological Survey . 4 December 1948. Retrieved 22 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.0 – 16km E of Desert Hot Springs, CA" . United States Geological Survey . 4 December 1948. Retrieved 30 August 2020 .
^ "M 6.6 – Rat Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska" . United States Geological Survey . 12 December 1948. Retrieved 30 August 2020 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . 15 December 1948. Retrieved 22 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 – Komandorskiye Ostrova, Russia region" . United States Geological Survey . 23 December 1948. Retrieved 22 October 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: CHILE: ANTOFAGASTA" . National Geophysical Data Center . 26 December 1948. Retrieved 22 October 2016 .
^ "M 6.0 – Northern California" . United States Geological Survey . 29 December 1948. Retrieved 30 August 2020 .
^ "M 6.0 – Northern California" . United States Geological Survey . 29 December 1948. Retrieved 30 August 2020 .
Earthquakes in the 1940s
1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1946
Valais (6.1, January 25)
Aleutian Islands (8.6, April 1) †
Varto–Hınıs (5.9, May 31) †
Vancouver Island (7.3, June 23)
Dominican Republic (8.1, Aug 4) ‡†
Sagaing (8.0, 7.8, Sep 12)
Kyrgyzstan (7.6, Nov 2)
Peru (6.8, Nov 10) †
Hsinhua (6.1, Dec 5) †
Nankai (8.1, Dec 21) †
1947 1948 1949 † indicates earthquake resulting in at least 30 deaths ‡ indicates the deadliest earthquake of the year