List of earthquakes in 1940
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This is a list of earthquakes in 1940. 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. Overall, with 13 magnitude 7.0+ events worldwide, this was a fairly busy year. The death toll was substantially lower than 1939. The most significant event in terms of lives lost was in Romania in November with 1,000 deaths. Other quakes in China and Peru resulted in significant fatalities.
Strongest
Peru, Lima Region (Magnitude 8.2) May 24
Peru, Lima Region (Magnitude 8.2) May 24Deadliest
Romania, Vrancea County (Magnitude 7.8) November 10 1,000 deaths
Romania, Vrancea County (Magnitude 7.8) November 10 1,000 deathsTotal fatalities1,448
9.0+0
.svg)     Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1940
| |||
| Strongest | Peru, Lima Region (Magnitude 8.2) May 24 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Deadliest | Romania, Vrancea County (Magnitude 7.8) November 10 1,000 deaths | ||
| Total fatalities | 1,448 | ||
| Number by magnitude | |||
| 9.0+ | 0 | ||
Overall
By death toll
| Rank | Death toll | Magnitude | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,000 | 7.8 | Romania, Vrancea County |
( ) | 90.0 | November 10 |
| 2 | 181 | 6.0 |  China, Yunnan Province |
( ) | 35.0 | April 6 |
| 3 | 179 | 8.2 | Peru, Lima Region |
( ) | 45.0 | May 24 |
| 4 | 51 | 6.0 | China, Inner Mongolia |
( ) | 35.0 | January 19 |
| 5 | 16 | 6.5 | .svg){kind=small} Georgian SSR, Imereti |
( ) | 50.0 | May 7 |
| 6 | 10 | 7.5 |  Japan, eastern Sea of Japan |
( ) | 15.0 | August 1 |
- Note: At least 10 casualties
By magnitude
| Rank | Magnitude | Death toll | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8.2 | 179 | Peru, Lima Region |
( ) | 45.0 | May 24 |
| 2 | 7.8 | 1,000 | Romania, Vrancea County |
( ) | 90.0 | November 10 |
| 3 | 7.7 | 0 |  United States, Northern Mariana Islands |
( ) | 15.0 | December 28 |
| = 4 | 7.5 | 0 | United States, Northern Mariana Islands |
( ) | 15.0 | January 17 |
| = 4 | 7.5 | 10 | Japan, eastern Sea of Japan |
( ) | 15.0 | August 1 |
| 5 | 7.4 | 0 | United States, Rat Islands, Alaska |
( ) | 65.0 | July 14 |
| 6 | 7.3 | 0 | China, Heilongjiang Province |
( ) | 575.0 | July 10 |
| 7 | 7.2 | 0 |  France, southeast of the Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia |
( ) | 180.0 | January 6 |
| 8 | 7.1 | 0 |  Bolivia, La Paz Department (Bolivia) |
( ) | 220.0 | December 22 |
| = 9 | 7.0 | 0 |  New Hebrides |
( ) | 210.0 | February 20 |
| = 9 | 7.0 | 0 | Japan, southern Sea of Japan |
( ) | 10.0 | August 13 |
| = 9 | 7.0 | 0 |  Philippines, southeast of Mindanao |
( ) | 15.0 | October 7 |
| = 9 | 7.0 | 0 |  Chile, Chiloé Island, Los Lagos Region |
( ) | 35.0 | October 11 |
- Note: At least 7.0 magnitude
Notable events
January
| Strongest | 7.5 Mw United States |
|---|---|
| Deadliest | 6.0 Mw China 51+ deaths |
| Total fatalities | 51+ |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 2 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 2 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 6[1] | France, southeast of the Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia | 7.2 | 180.0 | ||||
| 17[2] | United States, Northern Mariana Islands | 7.5 | 15.0 | ||||
| 19[3][4] | China, Inner Mongolia | 6.0 | 35.0 | At least 51 people were killed and many homes were destroyed. | 51+ | ||
| 26[5] | Japan, southeast of the Ryukyu Islands | 6.6 | 15.0 | ||||
February
| Strongest | 7.0 Mw New Hebrides |
|---|---|
| Total fatalities | 0 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 1 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 6 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 12[6] | Chile, off the coast of Atacama Region | 6.5 | 70.0 | ||||
| 12[7] | .svg){kind=small} Fiji, south of | 6.6 | 220.0 | ||||
| 12[8][9] |  United States, south of the Alaska Peninsula | 6.8 | 0.0 | V | Depth unknown. | ||
| 20[10] | New Hebrides | 7.0 | 210.0 | ||||
| 24[11] |  New Guinea, off the north coast of | 6.3 | 15.0 | ||||
| 27[12] |  Venezuela, Delta Amacuro | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
| 29[13] | .svg){kind=small} Greece, north of Crete | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
March
| 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 | 4 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 9[14] | Japan, Bonin Islands | 6.5 | 500.0 | ||||
| 19[15] |  Afghanistan, Nuristan Province | 6.0 | 50.0 | ||||
| 28[16] | Philippines, west of Luzon | 6.6 | 200.9 | ||||
| 31[17] | Chile, off the coast of Arica y Parinacota Region | 6.0 | 50.0 | ||||
April
| Strongest | 6.9 Mw United States 2 events |
|---|---|
| Deadliest | 6.0 Mw China 181 deaths |
| Total fatalities | 181 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 0 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 9 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 1[18] |  Dutch East Indies, Papua (province) | 6.6 | 35.0 | ||||
| 5[19] | Japan, Volcano Islands | 6.5 | 220.0 | ||||
| 6[20][21] | China, Yunnan Province | 6.0 | 35.0 | VIII | 181 people died and another 475 were injured. 11,556 homes were destroyed. | 181 | 475 |
| 8[22] | Chile, Valparaíso Region | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
| 16[23] | United States, Near Islands, Alaska | 6.9 | 30.0 | rowspan="2"| Doublet earthquake. | |||
| 16[24] | United States, Near Islands, Alaska | 6.9 | 30.0 | ||||
| 20[25] | Japan, Shiga Prefecture, Honshu | 6.0 | 400.0 | ||||
| 27[26] | New Hebrides, Espiritu Santo | 6.5 | 35.0 | rowspan="2"| Doublet earthquake. | |||
| 27[27] | New Hebrides, Espiritu Santo | 6.5 | 35.0 | ||||
May
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 1[28] |  Argentina, Chaco Province | 6.2 | 580.0 | ||||
| 4[29] | .svg){kind=small} Iran, Razavi Khorasan province | 6.3 | 15.0 | ||||
| 5[30] | Peru, off the coast of northern | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
| 7[31][32] | Georgian SSR, Imereti | 6.5 | 50.0 | 16 deaths were caused and some damage was reported. | 16 | ||
| 11[33] | .svg){kind=small} British Burma, Sagaing Region | 6.5 | 80.0 | ||||
| 19[34][35] | United States, southern California | 6.9 | 6.0 | X | 9 people died in the 1940 El Centro earthquake. Major damage was caused in the area. Costs were $33 million (1940 rate). | 9 | |
| 19[36] | .svg){kind=small} Russian SFSR, Sea of Okhotsk | 6.6 | 575.0 | ||||
| 19[37] |  Portuguese Mozambique, Gaza Province | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
| 21[38] | Fiji | 6.5 | 350.0 | ||||
| 24[39][40] | Peru, Lima Region | 8.2 | 45.0 | X | 1940 Lima earthquake: 179 people were killed and 3,500 were injured. Many homes were destroyed. | 179 | 3,500 |
| 24[41] | Peru, Lima Region | 6.6 | 45.0 | Aftershock. | |||
| 27[42] | Afghanistan, Badakhshan Province | 6.2 | 240.0 | ||||
| 28[43] | Dutch East Indies, Papua (province) | 6.6 | 35.0 | ||||
| 29[44] |  Canada, Northwest Territories | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
June
| Strongest | 6.6 Mw Dutch East Indies |
|---|---|
| Deadliest | 5.5 Mw China 2 deaths |
| Total fatalities | 2 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 0 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 8 |
| 5.0–5.9 | 1 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 3[45] |  Mexico, Gulf of California | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
| 5[46] | Canada, Northwest Territories | 6.5 | 10.0 | ||||
| 7[47] | New Guinea, D'Entrecasteaux Islands | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
| 11[48] | Dutch East Indies, Banda Sea | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
| 12[49] | Japan, southeast of Honshu | 6.5 | 100.0 | ||||
| 17[50][51] | United States, northeast of Hawaii | 6.0 | 0.0 | V | Depth unknown. | ||
| 18[52] | Philippines, Moro Gulf | 6.5 | 570.0 | ||||
| 19[53] | China, Yunnan Province | 5.5 | 0.0 | VII | 2 deaths and 20 injuries were caused. Many homes were destroyed. | 2 | 20 |
| 22[54] | Dutch East Indies, Gulf of Tomini | 6.6 | 170.0 | ||||
July
| Strongest | 7.4 Mw United States |
|---|---|
| Total fatalities | 0 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 2 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 4 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 6[55] | .svg){kind=small} Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 6.5 | 160.0 | ||||
| 10[56] | China, Heilongjiang Province | 7.3 | 575.0 | ||||
| 14[57] | United States, Rat Islands, Alaska | 7.4 | 65.0 | ||||
| 21[58] | Dutch East Indies, Celebes Sea | 6.3 | 15.0 | ||||
| 27[59] |  Guatemala, Escuintla Department | 6.5 | 35.0 | ||||
| 30[60] |  Turkey, Yozgat Province | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
August
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 1[61] | Fiji, south of | 6.6 | 500.0 | ||||
| 1[62][63][64] | Japan, eastern Sea of Japan | 7.5 | 15.0 | IX | A tsunami was triggered by the 1940 Shakotan earthquake resulting in 10 deaths due to drowning. 20 homes were destroyed. The earthquake caused some damage. | 10 | |
| 5[65] | China, Liaoning Province | 5.8 | 0.0 | VIII | 1,190 homes were destroyed. | ||
| 7[66] | Chile, Antofagasta Region | 6.2 | 110.0 | ||||
| 13[67] | Japan, southern Sea of Japan | 7.0 | 15.0 | ||||
| 22[68][69] | United States, Fox Islands (Alaska) | 6.9 | 15.0 | V | |||
| 26[70] | Peru, Junín Region | 6.0 | 110.0 | ||||
September
| Strongest | 6.8 Mw Philippines |
|---|---|
| Total fatalities | 0 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 0 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 10 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 12[71] | Dutch East Indies, Celebes Sea | 6.5 | 160.0 | ||||
| 12[72] | New Guinea, southeast New Ireland (island) | 6.6 | 75.5 | ||||
| 18[73] | Chile, Antofagasta Region | 6.5 | 110.0 | ||||
| 19[74] |  Free France, Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia | 6.5 | 15.0 | ||||
| 21[75] | Afghanistan, Badakhshan Province | 6.2 | 250.0 | ||||
| 22[76] | Philippines, Mindanao | 6.8 | 640.0 | ||||
| 23[77] | Argentina, Salta Province | 6.5 | 550.0 | ||||
| 24[78] |  Brazil, Acre (state) | 6.0 | 600.0 | ||||
| 26[79] | .svg){kind=small} British Solomon Islands, Santa Cruz Islands | 6.6 | 135.0 | ||||
| 29[80] | Argentina, Mendoza Province | 6.2 | 110.0 | ||||
October
| 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 | 11 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 1[81] | Chile, Atacama Region | 6.5 | 45.0 | ||||
| 3[82] | Chile, Tarapacá Region | 6.2 | 110.0 | Foreshock. | |||
| 4[83] | China, Xizang Province | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
| 4[84] | Chile, off the coast of Tarapacá Region | 6.9 | 35.0 | VII | |||
| 5[85] |  Costa Rica, Puntarenas Province | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
| 6[86] | Chile, off the coast of Tarapacá Region | 6.4 | 15.0 | Aftershock. | |||
| 7[87] | Philippines, southeast of Mindanao | 7.0 | 15.0 | ||||
| 11[88][89] | United States, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska | 6.0 | 0.0 | IV | |||
| 11[90] | Chile, Chiloé Island, Los Lagos Region | 7.0 | 35.0 | VII | |||
| 22[91] | Romania, Vrancea County | 6.5 | 150.0 | ||||
| 23[92] |  Ecuador, Pastaza Province | 6.0 | 140.0 | ||||
| 24[93] | Chile, O'Higgins Region | 6.6 | 45.0 | ||||
| 27[94] | Costa Rica, Puntarenas Province | 6.6 | 35.0 | ||||
November
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 7[95] | Japan, south of Honshu | 6.6 | 440.0 | ||||
| 10[96][97] | Romania, Vrancea County | 7.8 | 90.0 | X | The 1940 Vrancea earthquake caused 1,000 deaths despite being at an intermediate depth. Extensive property damage was caused with costs reaching $10 million (1940 rate). | 1,000 | |
| 19[98] | Japan, off the east coast of Honshu | 6.7 | 44.2 | ||||
| 22[99] | Russian SFSR, Primorsky Krai | 6.0 | 570.0 | ||||
December
| Strongest | 7.7 Mw United States |
|---|---|
| Total fatalities | 0 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 2 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 5 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 4[100] | Dutch East Indies, off the east coast of Seram | 6.3 | 35.0 | ||||
| 7[101] | Mexico, Baja California | 6.1 | 6.0 | ||||
| 17[102] | Dutch East Indies, Papua (province) | 6.5 | 35.0 | ||||
| 18[103] |  Northern Rhodesia, Eastern Province, Northern Rhodesia | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
| 18[104] | Dutch East Indies, Banda Sea | 6.5 | 150.0 | ||||
| 22[105] | Bolivia, La Paz Department (Bolivia) | 7.1 | 220.0 | ||||
| 28[106] | United States, Northern Mariana Islands | 7.7 | 15.0 | ||||