List of earthquakes in 1950
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This is a list of earthquakes in 1950. 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. The main event which dominated the year in terms of magnitude and deaths was the earthquake which struck India in August. With a magnitude of 8.6, it was one of the largest earthquakes of all time, and affected the eastern part of the country. There were 1,530 deaths, which was around three quarters of the yearly total. A number of other deadly events struck Venezuela and Peru. There were 21 magnitude 7.0+ quakes. Aside from India, Chile was hit by a magnitude 8.2 event in December that left one person dead. Aftershock sequences contributed to a large number of magnitude 6.0–6.9 events, especially in India and New Hebrides (which also saw four magnitude 7.0+ quakes).
Strongest
India, Arunachal Pradesh (Magnitude 8.6) August 15
India, Arunachal Pradesh (Magnitude 8.6) August 15Deadliest India, Arunachal Pradesh (Magnitude 8.6) August 15 1,530 deaths
India, Arunachal Pradesh (Magnitude 8.6) August 15 1,530 deathsTotal fatalities1,756
9.0+0
.svg)     Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1950
| |||
| Strongest | India, Arunachal Pradesh (Magnitude 8.6) August 15 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Deadliest | India, Arunachal Pradesh (Magnitude 8.6) August 15 1,530 deaths | ||
| Total fatalities | 1,756 | ||
| Number by magnitude | |||
| 9.0+ | 0 | ||
Overall
By death toll
| Rank | Death toll | Magnitude | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,530 | 8.6 | India, Arunachal Pradesh |
XI (Extreme) | 15.0 | August 15 |
| 2 | 100 | 6.4 |  Venezuela, Lara (state) |
VII (Very strong) | 15.0 | August 3 |
| 3 | 83 | 6.0 |  Peru, Cusco Region |
( ) | 100.0 | May 21 |
| 4 | 20 | 5.7 |  Iran, Hormozgan Province |
VII (Very strong) | 15.0 | January 19 |
| 5 | 16 | 6.6 |  Indonesia, Java |
VII (Very strong) | 45.0 | June 19 |
- Note: At least 10 casualties
By magnitude
| Rank | Magnitude | Death toll | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8.6 | 1,530 | India, Arunachal Pradesh |
XI (Extreme) | 15.0 | August 15 |
| 2 | 8.2 | 1 |  Chile, Antofagasta Region |
VII (Very strong) | 113.9 | December 9 |
| 3 | 7.9 | 0 |  New Hebrides, Vanuatu |
VI (Strong) | 30.0 | December 2 |
| 4 | 7.8 | 0 |  Tonga |
VI (Strong) | 215.9 | December 14 |
| = 5 | 7.7 | 0 |  Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, Sea of Okhotsk |
V (Moderate) | 329.0 | February 28 |
| = 5 | 7.7 | 0 | Indonesia, Banda Sea |
VI (Strong) | 199.7 | November 2 |
| = 6 | 7.5 | 0 |  Afghanistan, Badakhshan Province |
( ) | 215.4 | July 9 |
| = 6 | 7.5 | 0 |  Costa Rica, Guanacaste Province |
VII (Very strong) | 97.9 | October 5 |
| 7 | 7.3 | 1 | Indonesia, Banda Sea |
VI (Strong) | 20.0 | October 8 |
| = 8 | 7.2 | 0 | Indonesia, Papua (province) |
VII (Very strong) | 30.0 | September 19 |
| = 8 | 7.2 | 0 |  Guatemala, near Champerico, Retalhuleu Department |
VII (Very strong) | 65.3 | October 23 |
| = 8 | 7.2 | 0 | New Hebrides, Vanuatu |
( ) | 60.0 | December 2 |
| = 8 | 7.2 | 0 |  Australia, southeast of New Ireland (island), Papua and New Guinea |
( ) | 78.3 | December 4 |
| = 8 | 7.2 | 0 |  New Zealand, Kermadec Islands |
( ) | 298.4 | December 10 |
| = 9 | 7.1 | 0 | New Hebrides, southwest of Aneityum, Vanuatu |
VII (Very strong) | 50.0 | May 26 |
| = 9 | 7.1 | 0 |  Argentina, Santiago del Estero Province |
( ) | 610.0 | August 14 |
| = 9 | 7.1 | 0 | New Hebrides, Vanuatu |
( ) | 141.3 | September 10 |
| = 9 | 7.1 | 0 |  Mexico, Guerrero |
VII (Very strong) | 35.0 | December 14 |
| = 10 | 7.0 | 0 |  United States, southwest of Guam |
( ) | 77.3 | May 25 |
| = 10 | 7.0 | 0 |  Brazil, Acre (state) |
( ) | 646.2 | July 9 |
| = 10 | 7.0 | 0 |  Philippines, southeast of Mindanao |
( ) | 120.0 | August 31 |
- Note: At least 7.0 magnitude
Notable events
January
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 3[1][2] |  Philippines, northern Luzon | 6.5 | 30.0 | VI | |||
| 3[3] | Chile, off the coast of Aisen Region | 6.3 | 15.0 | ||||
| 12[4] |  Fiji | 6.8 | 539.9 | ||||
| 13[5] | Australia, southeast of New Ireland (island), Papua and New Guinea | 6.5 | 69.9 | ||||
| 19[6][7][8] | Iran, Hormozgan Province | 5.7 | 15.0 | VII | 20 people were killed and major damage was caused. | 20 | |
| 24[9] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.5 | 165.0 | ||||
| 30[10][11][12] | Chile, Magallanes y la Antartica Chilena Region | 6.8 | 15.0 | VII | At least 1 person was killed. Aftershock of events in the area from December 1949. | 1+ | |
February
| Strongest | 7.7 Mw, Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic |
|---|---|
| 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 | ||||||
| 2[13][14][15] |  Burma, Shan State | 6.9 | 35.0 | rowspan="2"| Some damage was caused. Doublet earthquake. | |||
| 3[16][17] | Burma, Shan State | 6.7 | 35.0 | VI | |||
| 11[18] | Tonga | 6.5 | 254.4 | ||||
| 12[19][20] | Fiji | 6.3 | 20.0 | VII | |||
| 23[21] | Fiji | 6.5 | 210.0 | ||||
| 25[22][23] |  Mongolia, Bayankhongor Province | 6.1 | 15.0 | VII | |||
| 25[24] |  Japan, Ryukyu Islands | 6.3 | 25.0 | ||||
| 28[25][26] | Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, Sea of Okhotsk | 7.7 | 329.0 | V | |||
March
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 7[27][28] | Philippines, west of Guimaras Island | 6.7 | 25.0 | VII | |||
| 14[29] |  Peru, Ucayali Region | 6.8 | 150.0 | ||||
| 27[30] | Indonesia, off the west coast of southern Sumatra | 6.4 | 35.0 | ||||
| 29[31] | Indonesia, Papua (province) | 6.5 | 83.7 | ||||
April
| Strongest | 6.9 Mw, Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic |
|---|---|
| Total fatalities | 0 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 0 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 4 |
May
| Strongest | 7.1 Mw, New Hebrides |
|---|---|
| Deadliest | 6.0 Mw, Peru 83 deaths |
| Total fatalities | 83 |
| 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 | ||||||
| 9[39][40] |  Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic, Ahal Region | 6.1 | 15.0 | VII | |||
| 10[41] | Mozambique Channel | 6.2 | 15.0 | ||||
| 17[42] | Sea of Japan | 6.7 | 579.3 | ||||
| 17[43] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.7 | 35.0 | ||||
| 21[44][45] | Peru, Cusco Region | 6.0 | 100.0 | 83 people were killed and major damage was caused. | 83 | ||
| 25[46] | United States, northern Alaska | 6.0 | 0.0 | Unknown depth. | |||
| 25[47] | United States, southwest of Guam | 7.0 | 77.3 | ||||
| 26[48][49] | New Hebrides, southwest of Aneityum, Vanuatu | 7.1 | 50.0 | rowspan="2"| Doublet earthquake. The second event was only 14 seconds after the first. | |||
| 26[50][51] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.9 | 35.0 | V | |||
| 27[52] | Fiji | 6.8 | 588.3 | ||||
| 30[53][54] | United States, Hawaii (island), Hawaii | 6.3 | 15.0 | VII | |||
| 30[55] | Fiji | 6.4 | 590.0 | ||||
| 31[56][57] | Japan, Ryukyu Islands | 6.2 | 46.0 | IV | |||
June
| Strongest | 6.9 Mw, New Hebrides |
|---|---|
| Deadliest | 6.6 Mw, Indonesia 16 deaths |
| Total fatalities | 16 |
| 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 | ||||||
| 4[58][59] | Philippines, southeast of Mindanao | 6.0 | 15.0 | VI | |||
| 7[60] | Peru, Loreto Region | 6.8 | 115.5 | ||||
| 17[61] | New Zealand, Manawatu-Whanganui, North Island | 6.0 | 192.0 | ||||
| 17[62][63] | Japan, off the east coast of Honshu | 6.0 | 35.0 | IV | |||
| 19[64][65][66] | Indonesia, Java | 6.6 | 45.0 | VII | 16 people were killed and another 50 were hurt. 50 homes were destroyed. | 16 | 50 |
| 21[67] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.7 | 35.0 | ||||
| 21[68] | Australia, off the north coast of Papua and New Guinea | 6.3 | 20.0 | ||||
| 24[69][70] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.9 | 35.0 | VI | |||
| 25[71][72] | Philippines, southeast of Mindanao | 6.2 | 57.6 | IV | |||
| 27[73][74] | Japan, off the west coast of Hokkaido | 6.3 | 15.0 | V | |||
July
| Strongest | 7.5 Mw, Afghanistan |
|---|---|
| Total fatalities | 0 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 2 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 9 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 9[75] | Brazil, Acre (state) | 6.8 | 646.0 | rowspan="2"| Doublet earthquake. | |||
| 9[76] | Brazil, Acre (state) | 7.0 | 646.2 | ||||
| 9[77] | Brazil, Acre (state) | 6.4 | 633.8 | Aftershock. | |||
| 9[78] | Afghanistan, Badakhshan Province | 7.5 | 215.4 | ||||
| 13[79] | Japan, Bonin Islands | 6.9 | 511.6 | ||||
| 18[80][81] | Philippines, northern Mindanao | 6.1 | 15.0 | VII | |||
| 20[82] | Fiji | 6.5 | 35.0 | ||||
| 21[83] | New Zealand, Kermadec Islands | 6.8 | 20.0 | ||||
| 21[84][85] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.4 | 15.0 | VI | |||
| 29[86][87] | Indonesia, northern Molucca Sea | 6.3 | 30.0 | IV | |||
| 29[88][89] | Australia, southwest of Bougainville Island, Papua and New Guinea | 6.7 | 65.0 | VI | |||
August
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 3[90] | Mexico, Guerrero | 6.1 | 80.5 | ||||
| 3[91] | United States, southwest of Guam | 6.5 | 20.0 | ||||
| 3[92] | Japan, off the east coast of Honshu | 6.5 | 96.0 | ||||
| 3[93][94][95] | Venezuela, Lara (state) | 6.4 | 15.0 | VII | 100 people were killed. | 100 | |
| 7[96] | Philippines, southern Mindanao | 6.8 | 135.5 | ||||
| 14[97] | Argentina, Santiago del Estero Province | 7.1 | 610.0 | ||||
| 15[98][99][100] | India, Arunachal Pradesh | 8.6 | 15.0 | XI | The 1950 Assam–Tibet earthquake was one of the largest of all time. 1,530 people were killed and major property damage was caused. Costs were around $20 million (1950 rate). Many large aftershocks followed. These events have been plotted on the map but are not listed to prevent cluttering. | 1,530 | |
| 17[101] | Fiji, south of | 6.9 | 609.8 | ||||
| 21[102][103] |  China, southern Qinghai Province | 6.0 | 15.0 | VII | |||
| 22[104][105] |  Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, eastern Kamchatka Krai | 6.0 | 64.4 | V | |||
| 26[106] | United States, northern Alaska | 6.0 | 15.0 | ||||
| 29[107][108] | Indonesia, off the west coast of Sumatra | 6.3 | 55.0 | VI | |||
| 30[109][110] | Indonesia, northeast Banda Sea | 6.1 | 20.0 | IV | |||
| 31[111] | Philippines, southeast of Mindanao | 7.0 | 120.0 | ||||
September
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 7[112] | New Zealand, south of the Kermadec Islands | 6.5 | 50.0 | ||||
| 9[113][114] | Australia, New Ireland (island), Papua and New Guinea | 6.3 | 25.0 | VI | |||
| 10[115][116] | Japan, off the southeast coast of Honshu | 6.1 | 35.0 | V | |||
| 10[117] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 7.1 | 141.3 | ||||
| 13[118][119][120] | China, Yunnan Province | 6.0 | 15.0 | VIII | 320 homes were destroyed. | ||
| 14[121] | Indonesia, Molucca Sea | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
| 16[122] | United States, Rat Islands, Alaska | 6.6 | 100.0 | ||||
| 18[123] | Brazil, Acre (state) | 6.0 | 635.3 | ||||
| 19[124][125] | Indonesia, Papua (province) | 7.2 | 30.0 | VII | |||
| 22[126] | Fiji | 6.8 | 400.4 | ||||
| 25[127][128] | Philippines, northeast of Mindanao | 6.0 | 25.0 | VI | |||
| 28[129][130] |  Taiwan, off the east coast of | 6.1 | 15.0 | VI | |||
| 29[131] | Mexico, off the coast of Jalisco | 6.6 | 15.0 | ||||
October
| Strongest | 7.5 Mw, Costa Rica |
|---|---|
| Deadliest | 7.3 Mw, Indonesia 1 death |
| Total fatalities | 1 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 3 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 14 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 5[132][133][134] | Costa Rica, Guanacaste Province | 7.5 | 97.9 | VII | At least 101 people were injured and some damage was reported. | 101+ | |
| 8[135][136][137] | Indonesia, Banda Sea | 7.3 | 20.0 | VI | A tsunami swept across Ambon Island causing 1 death and major damage. | 1 | |
| 8[138] | Australia, southeast of New Britain, Papua and New Guinea | 6.2 | 15.0 | ||||
| 10[139] | New Zealand, Southland, New Zealand | 6.0 | 15.0 | ||||
| 15[140][141] |  United Kingdom, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands | 6.2 | 35.0 | VI | |||
| 21[142] | Tonga, Vava'u | 6.3 | 45.0 | ||||
| 23[143][144][145] | Guatemala, Champerico | 7.2 | 65.3 | VII | Many homes were destroyed or damaged. Several large aftershocks followed but are not listed to prevent cluttering. | ||
November
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 2[146][147] | Indonesia, Banda Sea | 7.7 | 199.7 | VI | |||
| 5[148][149] | Japan, southeast of Shikoku | 6.7 | 25.0 | VI | |||
| 8[150][151] | United Kingdom, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands | 6.6 | 15.0 | VII | |||
| 14[152][153] | United Kingdom, Makira, Solomon Islands | 6.0 | 35.0 | VI | |||
| 17[154][155][156] | Mexico, off the coast of Guerrero | 6.1 | 20.0 | XI | Some damage was reported. | ||
December
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 2[157] | Brazil, Acre (state) | 6.8 | 643.3 | ||||
| 2[158][159] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 7.9 | 30.0 | VI | |||
| 2[160] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 7.2 | 60.0 | This large aftershock came only 4 minutes after the mainshock. | |||
| 4[161] | Australia, southeast of New Ireland (island), Papua and New Guinea | 7.2 | 78.3 | ||||
| 5[162] | Japan, southeast of the Ryukyu Islands | 6.0 | 25.0 | ||||
| 9[163][164][165] | Chile, Antofagasta Region | 8.2 | 113.9 | VII | 1 person was killed and at least 51 were injured in the 1950 Calama earthquake. | 1 | 51+ |
| 10[166][167][168] | Peru, Ica Region | 6.3 | 61.5 | VI | 4 people were killed and 12 were injured. Some homes were destroyed. | 4 | 12 |
| 10[169] | New Zealand, Kermadec Islands | 7.2 | 298.4 | ||||
| 11[170] | Brazil, Acre (state) | 6.2 | 644.5 | Aftershock. | |||
| 14[171] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.5 | 65.0 | ||||
| 14[172][173] | Tonga | 7.8 | 215.9 | VI | |||
| 14[174][175][176] | Mexico, Guerrero | 7.1 | 35.0 | VII | Some damage was reported. | ||
| 18[177][178] | Indonesia, Ambon Island | 6.3 | 35.0 | VI | |||
| 28[179] | Brazil, Acre (state) | 6.2 | 635.0 | Aftershock. | |||
| 29[180][181] | China, western Xizang Province | 6.1 | 15.0 | VII | |||