List of earthquakes in 1929
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This is a list of earthquakes in 1929. 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. Several large events occurred this year with the main focus of the activity being in Alaska with 4 magnitude 7.0 + events. The deadliest earthquake struck Turkmenistan in May with 3,800 of the years 3,972 deaths in this event. A rare earthquake struck the north Atlantic Ocean in November with the deaths of 28 in Canada being caused by a tsunami. Dutch East Indies was notably quiet this year.
Strongest
United Kingdom, South Sandwich Islands (Magnitude 8.1) June 27
United Kingdom, South Sandwich Islands (Magnitude 8.1) June 27Deadliest
Turkmen SSR, Ahal Province (Magnitude 7.2) May 1 3,800 deaths
.svg){kind=small}
Turkmen SSR, Ahal Province (Magnitude 7.2) May 1 3,800 deathsTotal fatalities3,972
9.0+0
.svg)     Approximate epicenters of notable earthquakes in 1929
| |||
| Strongest | United Kingdom, South Sandwich Islands (Magnitude 8.1) June 27 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Deadliest | Turkmen SSR, Ahal Province (Magnitude 7.2) May 1 3,800 deaths | ||
| Total fatalities | 3,972 | ||
| Number by magnitude | |||
| 9.0+ | 0 | ||
Overall
By death toll
| Rank | Death toll | Magnitude | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3,800 | 7.2 | Turkmen SSR, Ahal Province |
IX (Violent) | 10.0 | May 1 |
| 2 | 64 | 6.5 |  Turkey, Sivas Province |
VIII (Severe) | 35.0 | May 18 |
| 3 | 50 | 6.7 |  Venezuela, off the coast of Sucre (state) |
IX (Violent) | 10.0 | January 17 |
| 4 | 28 | 7.2 |  Dominion of Newfoundland, off the Grand Banks |
VI (Strong) | 10.0 | November 18 |
| 5 | 17 | 7.3 |  New Zealand, Tasman District, South Island |
( ) | 20.0 | June 16 |
- Note: At least 10 casualties
By magnitude
| Rank | Magnitude | Death toll | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8.1 | 0 | United Kingdom, South Sandwich Islands |
( ) | 15.0 | June 27 |
| = 2 | 7.8 | 0 |  United States, south of the Aleutian Islands, Alaska |
V (Moderate) | 15.0 | March 7 |
| = 2 | 7.8 | 0 | United States, Near Islands, Alaska |
( ) | 20.0 | December 17 |
| 3 | 7.7 | 0 | .svg){kind=small} Russian SFSR, Kuril Islands |
VII (Very strong) | 160.0 | January 13 |
| = 4 | 7.3 | 0 |  Canada, south of Haida Gwaii |
( ) | 15.0 | May 26 |
| = 4 | 7.3 | 17 | New Zealand, Tasman District, South Island |
( ) | 20.0 | June 16 |
| = 4 | 7.3 | 0 | United States, Andreanof Islands, Alaska |
( ) | 35.0 | July 7 |
| = 5 | 7.2 | 3,800 | Turkmen SSR, Ahal Province |
( ) | 10.0 | May 1 |
| = 5 | 7.2 | 0 |  Philippines, Mindanao |
X (Extreme) | 35.0 | June 13 |
| = 5 | 7.2 | 28 | Canada, south of Newfoundland |
VI (Strong) | 10.0 | November 18 |
| = 6 | 7.1 | 0 |  Afghanistan, Badakhshan Province |
( ) | 200.0 | February 1 |
| = 6 | 7.1 | 0 | central Mid-Atlantic Ridge | ( ) | 10.0 | February 2 |
| = 6 | 7.1 | 0 | northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge | ( ) | 10.0 | February 22 |
| = 6 | 7.1 | 0 | Philippines, southern Mindanao |
( ) | 35.0 | June 4 |
| = 6 | 7.1 | 0 | United States, Federated States of Micronesia, State of Yap |
( ) | 10.0 | November 15 |
| = 7 | 7.0 | 0 | New Zealand, Canterbury, New Zealand |
( ) | 20.0 | March 9 |
| = 7 | 7.0 | 0 | United States, Andreanof Islands, Alaska |
( ) | 35.0 | July 5 |
| = 7 | 7.0 | 0 | Philippines, off the southeast coast of Mindanao |
( ) | 35.0 | November 17 |
- Note: At least 7.0 magnitude
Notable events
January
| Strongest | 7.7 Mw Russian SFSR |
|---|---|
| Deadliest | 6.7 Mw Venezuela 50 deaths |
| Total fatalities | 52 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 1 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 6 |
| 5.0–5.9 | 1 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 13[1][2] | Russian SFSR, Kuril Islands | 7.7 | 160.0 | VII | |||
| 13[3] |  China, Inner Mongolia | 6.0 | 0.0 | VIII | 2 people were killed and 100 homes were destroyed. Depth unknown. | 2 | |
| 16[4] | Philippines, Luzon | 6.2 | 25.0 | ||||
| 17[5][6] | Venezuela, off the coast of Sucre (state) | 6.7 | 10.0 | IX | 50 people were killed and 800 were injured during the 1929 Cumaná earthquake. Major damage was caused. | 50 | 800 |
| 19[7] |  British Burma, Kachin State | 5.5 | 0.0 | IX | Some damage was caused. Depth unknown. | ||
| 21[8] | United States, central Alaska | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
| 22[9] | _crowned.svg){kind=small} Italian Somaliland, off the northwest coast | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
| 24[10] |  Guatemala, off the south coast | 6.9 | 15.0 | ||||
February
| Strongest | 7.1 Mw 3 events |
|---|---|
| Total fatalities | 0 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 3 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 4 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 1[11][12] | .svg){kind=small} Afghanistan, Badakhshan Province | 7.1 | 200.0 | Fairly heavy damage was caused. | |||
| 2[13] | central Mid-Atlantic Ridge | 7.1 | 10.0 | ||||
| 6[14] | .svg){kind=small} Russian SFSR, Kuril Islands | 6.8 | 165.0 | ||||
| 10[15] | Guatemala, off the south coast | 6.7 | 30.0 | ||||
| 14[16] |  Japan, Ryukyu Islands | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
| 22[17] | northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge | 7.1 | 10.0 | ||||
| 26[18] | United States, Alaska Peninsula | 6.4 | 30.0 | ||||
March
| Strongest | 7.8 Mw United States |
|---|---|
| Total fatalities | 0 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 2 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 3 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 3[19] | Afghanistan, Badakhshan Province | 6.2 | 250.0 | ||||
| 7[20][21][22] | United States, south of the Aleutian Islands | 7.8 | 15.0 | V | A tsunami was reported which caused some damage. | ||
| 9[23] | New Zealand, Canterbury, New Zealand | 7.0 | 20.0 | 1929 Arthur's Pass earthquake | |||
| 10[24] | United States, Northern Mariana Islands | 6.6 | 200.0 | ||||
| 21[25] | Guatemala, off the south coast | 6.4 | 35.0 | ||||
April
| Strongest | 6.6 Mw Philippines |
|---|---|
| Total fatalities | 0 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 0 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 2 |
May
| Strongest | 7.3 Mw Canada |
|---|---|
| Deadliest | 7.2 Mw Turkmen SSR 3,800 deaths |
| Total fatalities | 3,864 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 2 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 6 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 1[28][29] | Turkmen SSR, Ahal Province | 7.2 | 10.0 | Major damage was caused in the 1929 Kopet Dag earthquake. 3,800 people were killed. | 3,800 | ||
| 7[30] |  Dutch East Indies, off the north coast of Papua (province) | 6.5 | 25.0 | ||||
| 18[31] | .svg){kind=small} Ethiopian Empire, Afar Region | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
| 18[32][33] | Turkey, Sivas Province | 6.5 | 35.0 | VIII | The 1929 Suşehri earthquake killed 64 people. | 64 | |
| 21[34] | Japan, off the east coast of Kyushu | 6.7 | 35.0 | ||||
| 25[35] |  Peru, Ucayali Region | 6.8 | 160.0 | ||||
| 26[36][37][38] | Canada, south of Haida Gwaii | 7.3 | 15.0 | Some damage was caused and a tsunami was observed. | |||
| 30[39] |  Argentina, Mendoza Province | 6.6 | 10.0 | ||||
June
| Strongest | 8.1 Mw United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Deadliest | 7.3 Mw New Zealand 17 deaths |
| Total fatalities | 17 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 1 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 3 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 9 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 2[40] | Japan, off the south coast of Honshu | 6.9 | 350.4 | ||||
| 3[41] | .svg){kind=small} Kazakh ASSR, Kyzylorda Region | 6.5 | 35.0 | ||||
| 4[42] | Philippines, Davao Gulf, Mindanao | 7.1 | 200.0 | ||||
| 9[43] | Russian SFSR, Kuril Islands | 6.5 | 35.0 | Foreshock to event on June 13. | |||
| 12[44] |  New Guinea, East Sepik Province | 6.6 | 120.0 | ||||
| 13[45] | Russian SFSR, Kuril Islands | 6.9 | 35.0 | ||||
| 13[46][47] | Philippines, Mindanao | 7.2 | 35.0 | X | Many homes were destroyed. | ||
| 13[48] | Philippines, east of Mindanao | 6.4 | 35.0 | Aftershock. | |||
| 16[49][50] | New Zealand, Tasman District | 7.3 | 20.0 | 17 people died in the 1929 Murchison earthquake. Many homes were destroyed. | 17 | ||
| 19[51] | Philippines, east of Mindanao | 6.4 | 35.0 | Aftershock. | |||
| 20[52] | Dutch East Indies, East Java | 6.2 | 60.0 | ||||
| 27[53] | United Kingdom, South Sandwich Islands | 8.1 | 15.0 | ||||
| 30[54] | Philippines, east of Mindanao | 6.5 | 30.0 | Aftershock. | |||
July
| Strongest | 7.3 Mw United States |
|---|---|
| Deadliest | 6.2 Mw .svg){kind=small} Iran 6 deaths |
| Total fatalities | 11 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 2 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 6 |
| 5.0–5.9 | 1 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 3[55] | United States, central Alaska | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
| 4[56] | United States, central Alaska | 6.5 | 20.0 | ||||
| 5[57] | United States, Andreanof Islands, Alaska | 7.0 | 35.0 | Foreshock. | |||
| 5[58] | United States, Andreanof Islands, Alaska | 6.5 | 25.0 | Foreshock. | |||
| 7[59] | United States, Andreanof Islands, Alaska | 7.3 | 35.0 | ||||
| 13[60] | Iran, North Khorasan Province | 5.8 | 57.0 | 5 people were killed and some damage was caused. | 5 | ||
| 15[61][62] | Iran, Khuzestan Province | 6.2 | 35.0 | 6 people died and some damage was caused. | 6 | ||
| 23[63][64] |  Iceland, Reykjavík | 6.2 | 10.0 | X | |||
| 26[65] | Japan, Yamanashi Prefecture, Honshu | 6.5 | 60.0 | ||||
August
| Strongest | 6.6 Mw British Burma |
|---|---|
| Total fatalities | 0 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 0 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 4 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 1[66] |  India, Andaman Islands | 6.5 | 35.0 | ||||
| 3[67] |  Western Samoa Trust Territory, south of | 6.5 | 35.0 | ||||
| 8[68] | British Burma, Magway Region | 6.6 | 15.0 | ||||
| 19[69] | .svg){kind=small} Taiwan, off the east coast | 6.5 | 35.0 | ||||
September
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 3[70] | Iran, Sistan and Baluchestan Province | 6.5 | 110.0 | ||||
| 21[71] | Philippines, south of Leyte | 6.0 | 300.0 | ||||
| 27[72] |  Mexico, Gulf of California | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
October
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 5[73] | Russian SFSR, eastern Kamchatka | 6.3 | 50.0 | ||||
| 6[74] | United States, Hawaii (island) | 6.4 | 10.0 | ||||
| 8[75] | New Zealand, Kermadec Islands | 6.5 | 35.0 | ||||
| 16[76] | British Burma, Kachin State | 6.3 | 15.0 | ||||
| 19[77] |  Chile, Antofagasta Region | 6.8 | 65.0 | ||||
| 19[78] | Chile, Antofagasta Region | 6.0 | 100.0 | Aftershock. | |||
| 24[79] | Taiwan, southwest of | 6.5 | 35.0 | ||||
November
| Strongest | 7.2 Mw northern Atlantic Ocean |
|---|---|
| Deadliest | 7.2 Mw northern Atlantic Ocean 28 deaths |
| Total fatalities | 28 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 3 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 2 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 5[80] | Philippines, off the east coast of Mindanao | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
| 15[81] | United States, Federated States of Micronesia, State of Yap | 7.1 | 10.0 | ||||
| 17[82] | Philippines, off the southeast coast of Mindanao | 7.0 | 35.0 | ||||
| 18[83][84][85] | northern Atlantic Ocean | 7.2 | 10.0 | VI | The 1929 Grand Banks earthquake was one of the largest on record in this area. The earthquake generated a tsunami which affected Newfoundland, Canada. 28 people were killed and property damage costs were $1 million (1929 rate). | 28 | |
| 23[86] | Dutch East Indies, Papua (province) | 6.8 | 35.0 | ||||
December
| Strongest | 7.8 Mw United States |
|---|---|
| Total fatalities | 0 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 1 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 2 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 9[87] | Dutch East Indies, off the west coast of Sumatra | 6.7 | 25.0 | ||||
| 17[88] | United States, Near Islands, Alaska | 7.8 | 20.0 | ||||
| 27[89] | Dutch East Indies, Ceram Sea | 6.5 | 230.0 | ||||