List of earthquakes in 1938
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This is a list of earthquakes in 1938. 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 was once again a very busy year with 22 events reaching 7.0+. Topping the list was a huge quake which struck the Banda Sea, Dutch East Indies in February. At a magnitude of 8.5 this was one of the largest earthquakes of all time. Despite the large size no deaths were reported. Despite the array of large events, the death toll for the year was only 296. Turkey saw the majority of the deaths due to a 6.6 magnitude event in April. November saw a series of large quakes strike off the east coast of Honshu, Japan. Also in November was a magnitude 8.3 which struck Alaska. Generally Dutch East Indies and Japan saw most of the large 7.0+ events.
Strongest
Dutch East Indies, Banda Sea, (Magnitude 8.5) February 1
Dutch East Indies, Banda Sea, (Magnitude 8.5) February 1Deadliest
Turkey, Kirsehir Province, (Magnitude 6.6) April 19 224 deaths
Turkey, Kirsehir Province, (Magnitude 6.6) April 19 224 deathsTotal fatalities296
9.0+0
.svg)    Approximate epicenters of notable earthquakes in 1938
| |||
| Strongest | Dutch East Indies, Banda Sea, (Magnitude 8.5) February 1 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Deadliest | Turkey, Kirsehir Province, (Magnitude 6.6) April 19 224 deaths | ||
| Total fatalities | 296 | ||
| Number by magnitude | |||
| 9.0+ | 0 | ||
Overall
By death toll
| Rank | Death toll | Magnitude | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 224 | 6.6 | Turkey, Kırşehir Province |
X (Extreme) | 10.0 | April 19 |
| 2 | 51 | 6.0 |  British Burma, Shan State |
VIII (Severe) | 0.0 | May 14 |
| 3 | 17 | 7.7 | Dutch East Indies, Makassar Strait |
IX (Violent) | 35.0 | May 19 |
- Note: At least 10 casualties
By magnitude
| Rank | Magnitude | Death toll | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8.5 | 0 | Dutch East Indies, Banda Sea |
( ) | 25.0 | February 1 |
| 2 | 8.2 | 0 |  United States, south of the Alaska Peninsula |
VI (Strong) | 35.0 | November 10 |
| 3 | 7.8 | 1 |  Japan, off the east coast of Honshu |
( ) | 35.0 | November 5 |
| = 4 | 7.7 | 0 |  New Guinea, Morobe Province |
( ) | 35.0 | May 12 |
| = 4 | 7.7 | 17 | Dutch East Indies, Makassar Strait |
IX (Violent) | 35.0 | May 19 |
| = 4 | 7.7 | 0 | Japan, off the east coast of Honshu |
( ) | 15.0 | May 23 |
| = 4 | 7.7 | 0 | Japan, Ryukyu Islands |
( ) | 20.0 | June 10 |
| = 4 | 7.7 | 0 | Japan, off the east coast of Honshu |
( ) | 35.0 | November 5 |
| = 4 | 7.7 | 0 | Japan, off the east coast of Honshu |
( ) | 30.0 | November 6 |
| 5 | 7.6 | 0 | Japan, off the east coast of Honshu |
( ) | 25.0 | November 6 |
| 6 | 7.5 | 0 | Japan, Ryukyu Islands |
( ) | 20.0 | June 16 |
| = 7 | 7.3 | 0 | Dutch East Indies, Molucca Sea |
( ) | 15.0 | October 10 |
| = 7 | 7.3 | 0 | Dutch East Indies, northwest of Timor |
( ) | 90.0 | October 20 |
| 8 | 7.2 | 0 | .svg){kind=small} Taiwan, Hualien County |
( ) | 15.0 | September 7 |
| = 9 | 7.1 | 0 |  Philippines, west of Luzon |
( ) | 15.0 | May 23 |
| = 9 | 7.1 | 0 |  France, Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia |
( ) | 35.0 | May 30 |
| = 9 | 7.1 | 0 |  Mongolia, Bayan-Ölgii Province |
( ) | 10.0 | October 19 |
| = 10 | 7.0 | 0 | Scotia Sea | ( ) | 10.0 | January 24 |
| = 10 | 7.0 | 2 |  Colombia, Quindío Department |
VIII (Severe) | 150.0 | February 5 |
| = 10 | 7.0 | 0 | British Burma, Chin State |
( ) | 75.0 | August 16 |
| = 10 | 7.0 | 0 | Philippines, Samar Sea |
( ) | 15.0 | August 29 |
| = 10 | 7.0 | 0 |  New Zealand, Southland, New Zealand |
( ) | 15.0 | December 16 |
- Note: At least 7.0 magnitude
Notable events
January
| Strongest | 7.0 Mw Scotia Sea |
|---|---|
| Total fatalities | 0 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 1 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 9 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 1[1] | Japan, Volcano Islands | 6.6 | 60.0 | ||||
| 2[2][3] |  Mexico, off the coast of Oaxaca | 6.5 | 25.0 | VII | Major damage was reported. | ||
| 7[4] | New Guinea, west of New Ireland (island) | 6.5 | 15.0 | ||||
| 10[5] | Japan, Ryukyu Islands | 6.2 | 60.0 | ||||
| 11[6] | Japan, off the south coast of Honshu | 6.5 | 25.0 | ||||
| 16[7] |  Peru, Loreto Region | 6.0 | 100.0 | ||||
| 18[8] | Dutch East Indies, off the west coast of southern Sumatra | 6.5 | 100.0 | ||||
| 22[9] | Dutch East Indies, Sunda Strait | 6.0 | 150.0 | ||||
| 23[10][11] | United States, north of Maui, Hawaii | 6.6 | 10.0 | VII | Damage was caused with costs being reported at $150,000 (1938 rate). Landslides were observed as well as cracks in roads. | ||
| 24[12] | Scotia Sea | 7.0 | 10.0 | ||||
February
| Strongest | 8.5 Mw Dutch East Indies |
|---|---|
| Deadliest | 7.0 Mw Colombia 2 deaths |
| Total fatalities | 2 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 1 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 1 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 5 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 1[13][14][15][16] | Dutch East Indies, eastern Banda Sea | 8.5 | 25.0 | VII | The 1938 Banda Sea earthquake was one of the largest in Indonesian history. Despite the size and shallow depth very little damage was caused. A tsunami was caused which resulted in 24 homes being destroyed with a further 8 being damaged. | ||
| 2[17] | Dutch East Indies, Mentawai Islands | 6.0 | 120.0 | ||||
| 5[18][19] | Colombia, Quindío Department | 7.0 | 150.0 | VIII | 2 people were killed and major damage was caused. | 2 | |
| 5[20] | Philippines, west of Catanduanes | 6.5 | 160.0 | ||||
| 7[21] | Japan, Tochigi Prefecture, Honshu | 6.5 | 100.0 | ||||
| 13[22] | Dutch East Indies, off the west coast of West Papua (province) | 0.0 | 0.0 | Some damage was caused. The magnitude and depth were unknown. | |||
| 13[23] | New Zealand, northeast of | 6.5 | 35.0 | ||||
| 14[24] | .svg){kind=small} Turkmen SSR, Balkan Region | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
March
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 8[25] | New Guinea, southeast of New Ireland (island) | 6.5 | 50.0 | ||||
| 14[26] |  India, Madhya Pradesh | 6.2 | 50.0 | ||||
| 22[27] |  Canada, southwest of Haida Gwaii | 6.6 | 10.0 | ||||
| 31[28] | Philippines, Batanes | 6.5 | 60.0 | ||||
April
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 4[29] | Dutch East Indies, Banda Sea | 6.0 | 420.0 | ||||
| 9[30] |  New Hebrides | 6.5 | 100.0 | ||||
| 13[31] |  Italy, Sicily | 6.6 | 270.0 | ||||
| 14[32] | British Burma, Sagaing Region | 6.6 | 105.0 | ||||
| 17[33] |  Australia, South Australia | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
| 17[34] |  Chile, Arica y Parinacota Region | 6.5 | 60.0 | ||||
| 19[35][36] | Turkey, Kırşehir Province | 6.6 | 10.0 | X | The 1938 Kırşehir earthquake caused major damage in the area. 224 people were killed. | 224 | |
| 24[37] |  Argentina, Jujuy Province | 6.0 | 180.0 | ||||
| 25[38] |  Nicaragua, off the west coast of | 0.0 | 0.0 | Some damage was caused. The magnitude and depth were unknown. | |||
| 26[39] | Dutch East Indies, Banda Sea | 6.5 | 150.0 | ||||
May
| Strongest | 7.7 Mw 3 events |
|---|---|
| Deadliest | 6.0 Mw British Burma 51 deaths |
| Total fatalities | 69+ |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 5 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 4 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 3[40] | Mexico, Morelos | 6.5 | 100.0 | ||||
| 6[41] | Nicaragua, León Department | 0.0 | 0.0 | Major damage was reported. The magnitude and depth were unknown. | |||
| 11[42] | Mexico, off the coast of Guerrero | 6.3 | 20.0 | ||||
| 12[43][44] | New Guinea, Morobe Province | 7.7 | 35.0 | Some homes were damaged or destroyed. | |||
| 14[45] | British Burma, Shan State | 6.0 | 0.0 | VIII | At least 51 people were killed and some homes were destroyed. The depth was unknown. | 51+ | |
| 19[46][47][48] | Dutch East Indies, Makassar Strait | 7.7 | 35.0 | IX | A tsunami caused 17 deaths in the area. 942 homes were destroyed and a further 184 sustained damage. | 17 | |
| 23[49] | Japan, off the east coast of Honshu | 7.7 | 15.0 | ||||
| 23[50] | Philippines, west of Luzon | 7.1 | 15.0 | ||||
| 28[51][52] | Japan, Hokkaido | 6.5 | 35.0 | 1 person was killed due to a tsunami. 7 homes were destroyed. | 1 | ||
| 28[53][54] | United States, off the coast of Oregon | 6.0 | 0.0 | V | The depth was unknown. | ||
| 30[55] | France, Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia | 7.1 | 35.0 | ||||
June
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 9[56] | Dutch East Indies, Buru | 6.9 | 15.0 | ||||
| 10[57][58] | Japan, Ryukyu Islands | 7.7 | 20.0 | Minor damage was caused by a tsunami. | |||
| 15[59] | Chile, Coquimbo Region | 6.0 | 70.0 | ||||
| 16[60] | Japan, Ryukyu Islands | 7.5 | 20.0 | This was to the northeast of the event on June 10. | |||
| 20[61] |  Kirghiz SSR, Chüy Region | 6.8 | 15.0 | ||||
| 23[62] | Argentina, San Juan Province, Argentina | 6.5 | 70.0 | ||||
| 23[63] | New Hebrides | 6.6 | 45.0 | ||||
| 28[64][65] | Mexico, Guerrero | 6.5 | 110.0 | Some damage was caused. | |||
July
| Strongest | 6.6 Mw 2 events |
|---|---|
| Total fatalities | 0 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 0 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 8 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 5[66] | France, Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia | 6.6 | 35.0 | rowspan="2"| Doublet earthquake. | |||
| 6[67] | France, Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia | 6.5 | 75.0 | ||||
| 21[68] | .svg){kind=small} Kenya, Kilifi County | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
| 22[69] | Mexico, off the coast of Jalisco | 6.6 | 20.0 | ||||
| 23[70] | New Guinea, off the east coast of | 6.5 | 120.0 | ||||
| 24[71][72] |  United States, Fox Islands (Alaska) | 6.3 | 50.0 | I | |||
| 29[73] | Dutch East Indies, Batu Islands | 6.5 | 35.0 | ||||
| 31[74] | .svg){kind=small} Russian SFSR, Primorsky Krai | 6.0 | 450.0 | ||||
August
| Strongest | 7.0 Mw 2 events |
|---|---|
| Total fatalities | 0 |
| 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 | ||||||
| 4[75] | Argentina, Jujuy Province | 6.6 | 205.0 | ||||
| 16[76] | British Burma, Chin State | 7.0 | 75.0 | ||||
| 18[77] | Dutch East Indies, southern Sumatra | 6.1 | 65.0 | ||||
| 24[78] | Dutch East Indies, south of Sumbawa | 6.5 | 50.0 | ||||
| 25[79] | Dutch East Indies, southwest of Sumatra | 6.4 | 15.0 | ||||
| 29[80] | Philippines, Samar Sea | 7.0 | 15.0 | ||||
| 30[81] | New Guinea, off the north coast | 6.6 | 15.0 | ||||
| 31[82] | New Guinea, west of New Ireland (island) | 6.6 | 25.0 | ||||
September
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 7[83] | Taiwan, Hualien County | 7.2 | 15.0 | ||||
| 7[84] | New Guinea, southwest of Bougainville Island | 6.5 | 160.0 | ||||
| 18[85] | .svg){kind=small} Greece, Peloponnese (region) | 6.5 | 100.0 | ||||
| 21[86] | Japan, off the east coast of Honshu | 6.5 | 15.0 | ||||
| 27[87] | _crowned.svg){kind=small} Italian Ethiopia, Afar Region | 6.4 | 15.0 | ||||
| 27[88] | New Guinea, off the southeast coast of New Britain | 6.3 | 35.0 | ||||
October
| Strongest | 7.3 Mw Dutch East Indies 2 events |
|---|---|
| Total fatalities | 0 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 3 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 7 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 10[89] | Dutch East Indies, Molucca Sea | 7.3 | 15.0 | ||||
| 11[90] | Dutch East Indies, Molucca Sea | 6.2 | 15.0 | Aftershock. | |||
| 12[91] | Japan, off the east coast of Honshu | 6.5 | 15.0 | ||||
| 13[92] | Taiwan, Hualien County | 6.5 | 15.0 | ||||
| 17[93] | Japan, west of Hokkaido | 6.5 | 250.0 | ||||
| 19[94] | Mongolia, Bayan-Ölgii Province | 7.1 | 10.0 | ||||
| 20[95] | Dutch East Indies, northwest of Timor | 7.3 | 90.0 | ||||
| 21[96] |  China, Jilin Province | 6.2 | 550.0 | ||||
| 23[97] | Mozambique Channel | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
| 29[98] | Dutch East Indies, south of Lombok | 6.5 | 90.0 | ||||
November
| Strongest | 8.2 Mw United States |
|---|---|
| Deadliest | 7.5 Mw Japan 1 death |
| Total fatalities | 1 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 1 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 4 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 12 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 5[99][100] | Japan, off the east coast of Honshu | 7.8 | 35.0 | 1 person was killed and 20 homes were destroyed. A tsunami was caused. Several large aftershocks followed this event. Some were almost as large as the mainshock. | 1 | ||
| 5[101] | Japan, off the east coast of Honshu | 7.7 | 35.0 | Aftershock. | |||
| 6[102] | Japan, off the east coast of Honshu | 7.7 | 30.0 | Aftershock. | |||
| 6[103] | Japan, off the east coast of Honshu | 7.6 | 25.0 | Aftershock. | |||
| 7[104] | Japan, off the east coast of Honshu | 6.5 | 30.0 | Aftershock. | |||
| 7[105] | Japan, off the east coast of Honshu | 6.5 | 30.0 | Aftershock. | |||
| 9[106] | Japan, off the east coast of Honshu | 6.8 | 15.0 | Aftershock. | |||
| 10[107][108] | United States, south of Alaska Peninsula | 8.2 | 35.0 | VI | This was one of the largest earthquakes in Alaskan history. The event was in a sparsely populated area so no damage was reported. | ||
| 11[109] | United States, south of Alaska Peninsula | 6.6 | 35.0 | Aftershock. | |||
| 13[110] | Russian SFSR, Kuril Islands | 6.7 | 75.0 | ||||
| 13[111] | Japan, off the east coast of Honshu | 6.9 | 35.0 | Aftershock. | |||
| 14[112] | New Guinea, off the southeast coast of New Britain | 6.4 | 35.0 | ||||
| 17[113] | United States, south of Alaska Peninsula | 6.9 | 35.0 | Aftershock. | |||
| 18[114] | .svg){kind=small} British Solomon Islands, Santa Cruz Islands | 6.5 | 360.0 | ||||
| 21[115] | China, Xizang Province | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
| 22[116] | Japan, off the east coast of Honshu | 6.8 | 25.0 | Aftershock. | |||
| 30[117] | Japan, off the east coast of Honshu | 6.8 | 30.0 | Aftershock. | |||
December
| Strongest | 7.0 Mw New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Total fatalities | 0 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 1 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 7 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 6[118][119] | Taiwan, southeast of | 6.8 | 15.0 | 13 homes were destroyed. | |||
| 7[120] | Japan, off the east coast of Honshu | 6.6 | 25.0 | Aftershock. | |||
| 9[121] | United States, Kodiak Island, Alaska | 6.4 | 25.0 | ||||
| 16[122] | New Zealand, Southland, New Zealand | 7.0 | 15.0 | ||||
| 16[123] | New Zealand, off the west coast of South Island | 6.6 | 15.0 | ||||
| 17[124] | Mongolia, Khovd Province | 6.6 | 10.0 | ||||
| 21[125] | Dutch East Indies, south of Sumba | 6.3 | 25.0 | ||||
| 30[126] | New Zealand, Hawke's Bay Region | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||