List of earthquakes in 1958
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This is a list of earthquakes in 1958. 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 that occurred in remote areas are excluded from the list unless they generated significant media interest. All dates are listed according to UTC time. Not the most active year with only 8 earthquakes reaching above magnitude 7.0. The largest event was a magnitude 8.3 earthquake in Russia in November, and another equally sized event in Alaska. Ecuador and Peru also saw fairly high activity. 1958 had only 368 deaths. Most of this total came from earthquakes in Iran and Ecuador.
Strongest8.3 Mw 
Soviet Union
8.3 Mw
United States
Soviet Union8.3 Mw
United StatesDeadliest
Iran, Lorestan Province (Magnitude 6.7) August 16 132 deaths
Iran, Lorestan Province (Magnitude 6.7) August 16 132 deathsTotal fatalities368
9.0+0
.svg)     Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1958
| |||
| Strongest | 8.3 Mw Soviet Union 8.3 Mw United States | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Deadliest | Iran, Lorestan Province (Magnitude 6.7) August 16 132 deaths | ||
| Total fatalities | 368 | ||
| Number by magnitude | |||
| 9.0+ | 0 | ||
| 8.0–8.9 | 2 | ||
| 7.0–7.9 | 7 | ||
| 6.0–6.9 | 102 | ||
| 5.0–5.9 | 1 | ||
Overall
By death toll
| Rank | Death toll | Magnitude | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 132 | 6.7 | Iran, Lorestan Province |
VII (Very strong) | 15.0 | August 16 |
| 2 | 115 | 7.6 |  Ecuador, Esmeraldas Province |
IX (Violent) | 27.5 | January 19 |
| 3 | 51 | 7.2 |  Japan, Ryukyu Islands |
VI (Strong) | 35.0 | March 11 |
| 4 | 28 | 7.0 |  Peru, Arequipa Region |
IX (Violent) | 64.0 | January 15 |
| 5 | 22 | 6.9 | Ecuador, off the coast of Esmeraldas Province |
X (Extreme) | 15.0 | February 1 |
- Note: At least 10 casualties
By magnitude
| Rank | Magnitude | Death toll | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8.3 | 0 | Soviet Union, Kuril Islands, Russia |
X (Extreme) | 35.0 | November 6 |
| 1 | 8.3 | 5 |  United States, southeast Alaska |
XI (Extreme) | 10.0 | July 10 |
| 3 | 7.6 | 115 | Ecuador, Esmeraldas Province |
IX (Violent) | 27.5 | January 19 |
| 4 | 7.5 | 0 | Peru, Puno Region |
III (Weak) | 612.4 | July 26 |
| 5 | 7.2 | 51 | Japan, Ryukyu Islands |
VI (Strong) | 35.0 | March 11 |
| 6 | 7.1 | 0 | United States, central Alaska |
VIII (Severe) | 15.0 | April 7 |
| = 7 | 7.0 | 28 | Peru, Arequipa Region |
IX (Violent) | 64.0 | January 15 |
| = 7 | 7.0 | 0 | Soviet Union, Kuril Islands, Russia |
V (Moderate) | 35.0 | November 12 |
- Note: At least 7.0 magnitude
Notable events
January
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 13[1] | United States, Rat Islands, Alaska | 6.5 | 121.0 | ||||
| 15[2][3][4] | Peru, Arequipa Region | 7.0 | 64.0 | IX | 28 people were killed and some damage was caused. | 28 | |
| 15[5] |  New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.2 | 35.0 | ||||
| 19[6][7][8][9] | Ecuador, Esmeraldas Province | 7.6 | 27.5 | IX | 115 people were killed in the 1958 Ecuador-Colombia earthquake. 111 died in the earthquake and another 4 in a tsunami. 46 were injured and many homes were destroyed. | 115 | 46 |
| 19[10][11] | Ecuador, off the coast of Esmeraldas Province | 6.8 | 27.5 | VII | Aftershock. | ||
| 22[12][13] |  Taiwan, off the east coast of | 6.0 | 25.0 | VI | |||
| 23[14] | Soviet Union, southern Kuril Islands, Russia | 6.1 | 140.0 | ||||
| 24[15][16] | Soviet Union, eastern Kamchatka, Russia | 6.4 | 30.0 | VI | |||
| 24[17][18] | United States, Cook Inlet, Alaska | 6.4 | 52.0 | IV | |||
| 27[19] |  Tonga | 6.1 | 35.0 | ||||
| 30[20][21] |  United Kingdom, Solomon Islands | 6.3 | 30.0 | VI | |||
February
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 1[22][23][24] | Ecuador, off the coast of Esmeraldas Province | 6.9 | 15.0 | X | 22 people were killed and major damage was caused in this large aftershock of the 1958 Ecuador-Colombia earthquake. | 22 | |
| 1[25][26] | Ecuador, off the coast of Esmeraldas Province | 6.3 | 25.0 | VI | Aftershock. | ||
| 1[27][28] | Ecuador, off the coast of Esmeraldas Province | 6.3 | 25.0 | VI | Aftershock. | ||
| 7[29][30][31] |  China, Sichuan Province | 6.0 | 25.0 | VII | Some homes were destroyed. | ||
| 9[32][33] |  Philippines, off the west coast of Mindoro | 6.0 | 20.0 | VI | |||
| 12[34] | United States, Andreanof Islands, Alaska | 6.0 | 40.1 | ||||
| 15[35] | Soviet Union, Kuril Islands, Russia | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
| 16[36][37] | Japan, off the east coast of Honshu | 6.1 | 35.0 | IV | |||
| 17[38] |  Afghanistan, Badakhshan Province | 6.6 | 200.3 | ||||
| 19[39][40] |  Indonesia, off the south coast of Java | 6.0 | 35.0 | V | |||
| 23[41] | Japan, Bonin Islands | 6.5 | 410.0 | ||||
| 24[42][43] |  Mongolia, Bayankhongor Province | 6.2 | 15.0 | VII | |||
March
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 11[44][45][46] | Japan, Ryukyu Islands | 7.2 | 35.0 | VI | At least 51 people were killed and 101 were injured. | 51+ | 101+ |
| 15[47][48] | Taiwan, off the east coast of | 6.2 | 20.0 | V | |||
| 22[49][50] |  Burma, Chin State | 6.0 | 50.0 | V | |||
| 22[51][52] | Afghanistan, Baghlan Province | 6.1 | 35.0 | VI | |||
| 28[53] | Afghanistan, Badakhshan Province | 6.6 | 184.4 | ||||
April
| Strongest | 7.1 Mw United States |
|---|---|
| Total fatalities | 0 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 1 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 15 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 4[54][55] |  Australia, off the southeast coast of New Britain, Papua and New Guinea | 6.2 | 35.0 | VI | |||
| 7[56][57] | United States, central Alaska | 7.1 | 15.0 | VIII | Some damage was caused by the 1958 Huslia earthquake. | ||
| 7[58] | Japan, off the east coast of Honshu | 6.8 | 10.0 | ||||
| 7[59] | Japan, off the east coast of Honshu | 6.5 | 15.0 | Aftershock. | |||
| 7[60][61] | Mongolia, Bayankhongor Province | 6.9 | 30.0 | VII | |||
| 11[62] | Soviet Union, Kuril Islands, Russia | 6.5 | 137.9 | ||||
| 12[63][64] |  Mexico, Gulf of California | 6.3 | 15.0 | V | |||
| 12[65] | Japan, Ryukyu Islands | 6.0 | 35.0 | ||||
| 14[66][67] | Ecuador, Esmeraldas Province | 6.8 | 25.0 | VII | |||
| 14[68] | Ecuador, Esmeraldas Province | 6.6 | 25.0 | Aftershock. | |||
| 15[69][70] | Ecuador, Esmeraldas Province | 6.1 | 25.0 | VI | Aftershock. | ||
| 17[71][72] | Australia, East New Britain Province, Papua and New Guinea | 6.1 | 35.0 | V | |||
| 21[73] | Indonesia, southern Sumatra | 6.5 | 180.6 | ||||
| 28[74][75] | Peru, Junin Region | 6.3 | 35.0 | VII | |||
| 30[76] | Afghanistan, Badakhshan Province | 6.0 | 185.0 | ||||
| 30[77] |  Chile, Antofagasta Region | 6.0 | 113.4 | ||||
May
| Strongest | 6.9 Mw New Hebrides |
|---|---|
| Total fatalities | 0 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 0 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 11 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 1[78] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.2 | 210.0 | ||||
| 8[79] |  Argentina, Salta Province | 6.4 | 180.6 | ||||
| 9[80] | Argentina, Cordoba Province, Argentina | 6.6 | 200.0 | rowspan="2"| Doublet earthquake. | |||
| 9[81] | Argentina, Cordoba Province, Argentina | 6.8 | 185.7 | ||||
| 12[82] | United States, Fox Islands (Alaska) | 6.4 | 25.0 | ||||
| 18[83][84] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.3 | 45.0 | rowspan="2"| Doublet earthquake. | |||
| 18[85][86] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.2 | 45.0 | V | |||
| 25[87][88] | Peru, Amazonas Region | 6.2 | 45.8 | VI | |||
| 26[89] | United States, Fox Islands (Alaska) | 6.1 | 130.0 | ||||
| 30[90] | United States, Fox Islands (Alaska) | 6.1 | 130.0 | ||||
| 31[91][92] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.9 | 35.0 | VI | |||
June
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 3[93][94] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.2 | 20.0 | VI | Aftershock. | ||
| 19[95] | Soviet Union, Kuril Islands, Russia | 6.2 | 50.0 | ||||
| 23[96][97] | Mongolia, Bulgan Province | 6.1 | 15.0 | VII | |||
| 25[98][99] | Australia, off the north coast of Papua and New Guinea | 6.8 | 30.0 | V | |||
| 26[100] | Soviet Union, eastern Kamchatka | 6.6 | 125.9 | ||||
| 29[101] | Peru, Arequipa Region | 6.5 | 161.9 | ||||
| 30[102] |  Greece, Dodecanese Islands | 6.2 | 109.4 | ||||
July
| Strongest | 7.8 Mw United States |
|---|---|
| Deadliest | 7.8 Mw United States 5 deaths |
| Total fatalities | 5 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 2 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 8 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 1[103] | United States, Andreanof Islands, Alaska | 6.0 | 25.0 | ||||
| 4[104][105] | Philippines, south of Mindanao | 6.0 | 55.0 | V | |||
| 10[106][107][108][109] | United States, southeast Alaska | 7.8 | 10.0 | XI | 5 people were killed in the 1958 Lituya Bay, Alaska earthquake and megatsunami. Some homes were destroyed with costs being around $100,000 (1958 rate). | 5 | |
| 11[110][111] | Chile, Tarapaca Region | 6.0 | 55.0 | VI | |||
| 16[112] | United Kingdom, Masvingo Province, Rhodesia and Nyasaland | 6.0 | 0.0 | Unknown depth. | |||
| 19[113] | Indonesia, Papua (province) | 6.5 | 158.3 | ||||
| 19[114][115] | Indonesia, Halmahera Sea | 6.5 | 45.0 | VI | |||
| 21[116] | Soviet Union, Kuril Islands, Russia | 6.2 | 45.0 | ||||
| 26[117][118][119] | Peru, Puno Region | 7.5 | 612.4 | III | Some damage was caused. | ||
| 30[120] | Indonesia, Papua (province) | 6.0 | 100.0 | ||||
August
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 4[121] | Indonesia, Banda Sea | 6.4 | 147.2 | ||||
| 6[122] |  Samoa | 6.2 | 25.0 | ||||
| 12[123] | Indonesia, Molucca Sea | 6.5 | 47.5 | ||||
| 14[124] | United States, Andreanof Islands, Alaska | 6.3 | 35.0 | ||||
| 15[125][126] | Soviet Union, eastern Kamchatka | 6.8 | 43.0 | VI | |||
| 15[127] | Indonesia, Minahassa Peninsula | 6.9 | 177.7 | ||||
| 16[128] | United States, Andreanof Islands, Alaska | 6.1 | 25.0 | ||||
| 16[129][130][131] | Iran, Lorestan Province | 6.7 | 15.0 | VII | 132 | ||
| 20[132] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.3 | 25.0 | ||||
| 27[133][134] | Greece, Ionian Sea | 6.3 | 15.0 | VI | |||
| 30[135] | Mexico, Gulf of California | 6.0 | 15.0 | ||||
September
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 3[136] | Mexico, off the coast of Chiapas | 6.2 | 100.0 | ||||
| 4[137][138][139] | Chile, Santiago Metropolitan Region | 6.8 | 15.0 | VI | 7 people were killed and major damage was caused. | 7 | |
| 11[140][141] | Philippines, off the east coast of Mindanao | 6.0 | 35.0 | VI | |||
| 14[142][143] | Soviet Union, Amur Oblast, Russia | 6.5 | 15.0 | VII | |||
| 18[144] | Afghanistan, Badakhshan Province | 6.1 | 150.0 | ||||
| 20[145][146] | Australia, off the west coast of Bougainville Island, Papua and New Guinea | 6.2 | 35.0 | VI | |||
| 25[147] | China, Guangxi Province | 5.8 | 0.0 | VII | Some homes were destroyed. Unknown depth. | ||
October
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 7[148][149] | Australia, East New Britain Province, Papua and New Guinea | 6.3 | 35.0 | VI | |||
| 11[150] | Argentina, Jujuy Province | 6.0 | 220.0 | ||||
| 12[151] | Japan, west of the Ryukyu Islands | 6.8 | 256.7 | ||||
| 20[152][153] | Indonesia, south of Java | 6.0 | 55.0 | VIII | 8 people were killed and another 1,856 were injured. 95 homes were destroyed and another 206 were damaged. | 8 | 1,856 |
| 21[154] | Australia, off the east coast of mainland Papua and New Guinea | 6.5 | 170.0 | ||||
| 28[155][156] | China, western Xizang Province | 6.3 | 15.0 | VII | |||
| 29[157] | United States, Rat Islands, Alaska | 6.6 | 30.0 | ||||
November
| Strongest | 8.3 Mw Soviet Union |
|---|---|
| Total fatalities | 0 |
| 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[158] | Australia, west of New Ireland (island), Papua and New Guinea | 6.3 | 15.0 | ||||
| 1[159][160] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.2 | 25.0 | VI | |||
| 6[161][162][163][164] | Soviet Union, Kuril Islands, Russia | 8.3 | 35.0 | X | At least 51 people were injured in the 1958 Kuril Islands earthquake. Some damage was caused. | 51+ | |
| 12[165][166] | Soviet Union, Kuril Islands, Russia | 7.0 | 35.0 | V | Aftershock. | ||
| 13[167] | Soviet Union, Kuril Islands, Russia | 6.1 | 45.0 | Aftershock. | |||
| 14[168] | Indonesia, Tanimbar Islands | 6.4 | 88.6 | ||||
| 15[169] | Soviet Union, Kuril Islands, Russia | 6.6 | 84.6 | Aftershock. | |||
December
| Strongest | 6.6 Mw  New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Total fatalities | 0 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 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 | ||||||
| 3[170][171] | Philippines, Babuyan Islands | 6.1 | 30.0 | VI | |||
| 10[172] | Afghanistan, Badakhshan Province | 6.2 | 96.6 | ||||
| 10[173] | New Zealand, off the north coast of North Island | 6.6 | 290.8 | ||||
| 10[174] | Mexico, Gulf of California | 6.1 | 15.0 | ||||
| 21[175][176] | China, Xinjiang Province | 6.4 | 20.0 | VII | |||
| 25[177][178] | Australia, East New Britain Province, Papua and New Guinea | 6.2 | 38.9 | V | |||
| 28[179][180] |  India, Uttaranchal | 6.1 | 15.0 | VI | |||