List of earthquakes in 1970
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This is a list of earthquakes in 1970. 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. Maximum intensities are indicated on the Mercalli intensity scale and are sourced from United States Geological Survey (USGS) ShakeMap data. In terms of magnitude 7.0+ events this year produced 17 which is average for any year. The death toll however was much higher than preceding years. Three events in particular contributed to this. Firstly, in January, China suffered from an event which caused 10,000 deaths. Then at the end of March, Turkey had a magnitude 6.9 earthquake resulting in over 1,000 deaths. Finally, Peru had its worst disaster on May 31 when an earthquake of magnitude 7.9 helped to cause nearly 67,000 deaths.
.svg)     Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1970
| |||
| Strongest |  Colombia, Amazonas Department (Magnitude 8.0) July 31 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Deadliest |  Peru, offshore northern Peru (Magnitude 7.9) May 31 66,794 deaths | ||
| Total fatalities | 78,365 | ||
| Number by magnitude | |||
| 9.0+ | 0 | ||
Overall
By death toll
| Rank | Death toll | Magnitude | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 66,794 | 7.9 | Peru, offshore northern Peru |
X (Extreme) | 45.0 | May 31 |
| 2 | 10,000 | 7.1 |  China, Yunnan Province |
X (Extreme) | 11.3 | January 4 |
| 3 | 1,086 | 6.9 |  Turkey, Kutahya Province |
X (Extreme) | 25.0 | March 28 |
| 4 | 220 | 6.7 |  Iran, Golestan Province |
VIII (Severe) | 15.0 | July 30 |
| 5 | 101 | 6.7 |  Soviet Union, Dagestan, Russia |
VII (Very strong) | 15.0 | May 14 |
| 6 | 82 | 7.2 | Peru, Tumbes Region |
X (Extreme) | 25.0 | December 10 |
| 7 | 26 | 5.4 |  India, Gujarat |
( ) | 3.0 | March 23 |
| 8 | 18 | 6.9 |  Australia, Madang Province, Papua and New Guinea |
VIII (Severe) | 60.0 | October 31 |
| 9 | 15 | 7.4 |  Philippines, Luzon |
VIII (Severe) | 25.0 | April 7 |
| 10 | 12 | 5.9 | Peru, Huanuco Region |
IX (Violent) | 39.8 | February 14 |
- Note: At least 10 casualties
By magnitude
| Rank | Magnitude | Death toll | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8.0 | 1 | Colombia, Amazonas Department |
IV (Light) | 644.8 | July 31 |
| 2 | 7.9 | 66,794 | Peru, offshore northern Peru |
X (Extreme) | 45.0 | May 31 |
| = 3 | 7.4 | 15 |  Philippines, Luzon |
VIII (Severe) | 25.0 | April 7 |
| = 3 | 7.4 | 0 |  Canada, south of Haida Gwaii |
( ) | 18.3 | June 24 |
| = 4 | 7.3 | 0 |  Mexico, off the coast of Chiapas |
VIII (Severe) | 35.0 | April 29 |
| = 4 | 7.3 | 0 | Australia, south of Macquarie Island |
( ) | 15.0 | June 11 |
| = 4 | 7.3 | 0 | Soviet Union, Sea of Okhotsk, Russia |
( ) | 647.6 | August 30 |
| = 5 | 7.2 | 0 | Philippines, off the southeast coast of Mindanao |
VII (Very strong) | 40.0 | January 10 |
| = 5 | 7.2 | 0 |  Argentina, east of Tierra del Fuego Province, Argentina |
VII (Very strong) | 10.0 | June 15 |
| = 5 | 7.2 | 82 | Peru, Tumbes Region |
X (Extreme) | 25.0 | December 10 |
| = 6 | 7.1 | 10,000 | China, Yunnan Province |
X (Extreme) | 11.3 | January 4 |
| = 6 | 7.1 | 0 |  United States, Andreanof Islands, Alaska |
III (Weak) | 164.1 | February 28 |
| = 6 | 7.1 | 0 |  Japan, Bonin Islands |
( ) | 390.0 | May 27 |
| = 7 | 7.0 | 0 |  Chile, Magallanes Region |
VII (Very strong) | 15.0 | June 14 |
| = 7 | 7.0 | 0 | Japan, off the east coast of Kyushu |
VIII (Severe) | 45.0 | July 25 |
| = 7 | 7.0 | 0 |  Burma, Sagaing Region |
VII (Very strong) | 76.1 | July 29 |
| = 7 | 7.0 | 0 |  United Kingdom, Solomon Islands |
( ) | 30.0 | December 2 |
- Note: At least 7.0 magnitude
Notable events
January
| Strongest | 7.2 Mw Philippines |
|---|---|
| Deadliest | 7.1 Mw China 10,000 deaths |
| Total fatalities | 10,000 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 2 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 7 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 4[1][2][3] | China, Yunnan Province | 7.1 | 11.3 | X | The 1970 Tonghai earthquake caused major destruction across the area. 10,000 people were killed. Many homes were destroyed or damaged. | 10,000 | |
| 6[4][5] | Australia, D'Entrecasteaux Islands, Papua and New Guinea | 6.3 | 15.0 | VI | |||
| 8[6] |  New Zealand, south of Kermadec Islands | 6.8 | 199.4 | ||||
| 10[7][8] | Philippines, off the southeast coast of Mindanao | 7.2 | 40.0 | VII | |||
| 11[9][10] | Philippines, off the southeast coast of Mindanao | 6.0 | 45.0 | V | Aftershock. | ||
| 14[11][12] |  Indonesia, off the west coast of Timor | 6.0 | 25.0 | VI | |||
| 20[13] |  Fiji, south of | 6.8 | 70.0 | ||||
| 20[14][15] | Japan, Hokkaido | 6.4 | 35.1 | VI | |||
| 26[16] | United Kingdom, Santa Cruz Islands, Solomon Islands | 6.5 | 35.0 | ||||
February
| Strongest | 7.1 Mw United States |
|---|---|
| Deadliest | 5.9 Mw Peru 12 deaths |
| Total fatalities | 15 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 1 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 7 |
| 5.0–5.9 | 1 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 2[17] | Soviet Union, Kuril Islands, Russia | 6.0 | 29.7 | ||||
| 5[18][19][20] | Philippines, off the west coast of Tablas Island | 6.7 | 15.0 | IX | 3 people were killed and at least 51 were injured. Some damage was caused. | 3 | 51+ |
| 6[21][22] | Philippines, off the west coast of Tablas Island | 6.0 | 25.0 | VI | Aftershock. | ||
| 6[23][24] | China, Yunnan Province | 6.1 | 10.0 | VII | |||
| 13[25][26] | Indonesia, Java Sea | 6.5 | 622.8 | II | |||
| 14[27][28][29] | Peru, Huanuco Region | 5.9 | 39.8 | IX | 12 people were killed and many homes were destroyed. | 12 | |
| 25[30][31] |  Taiwan, off the east coast | 6.1 | 30.0 | IV | |||
| 26[32] | Soviet Union, Kuril Islands, Russia | 6.1 | 26.2 | ||||
| 28[33][34] | United States, Andreanof Islands, Alaska | 7.1 | 164.1 | III | |||
March
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 4[35][36] | Philippines, off the east coast of Mindanao | 6.1 | 35.0 | V | |||
| 9[37][38] |  New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.6 | 30.0 | V | |||
| 10[39] | Soviet Union, Kuril Islands, Russia | 6.2 | 54.5 | ||||
| 11[40][41][42] | United States, Kodiak Island, Alaska | 6.0 | 39.0 | V | Minor damage was caused. | ||
| 14[43][44][45] | Iran, West Azerbaijan Province | 5.4 | 17.1 | IV | 5 people were killed and many homes were destroyed. | 5 | |
| 15[46][47] | Argentina, San Juan Province, Argentina | 6.0 | 116.7 | IV | |||
| 23[48][49][50] | India, Gujarat | 5.4 | 20.1 | VII | 26 people were killed and 200 injuries. Some damage was caused. | 26 | 200 |
| 24[51] | Australia, Western Australia | 6.0 | 10.0 | ||||
| 27[52][53] | Indonesia, Makassar Strait | 6.7 | 25.0 | VI | |||
| 28[54][55] | Australia, off the west coast of Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea | 6.0 | 60.0 | V | |||
| 28[56][57][58] | Turkey, Kutahya Province | 6.9 | 25.0 | X | 1,086 people died and 1,174 were injured in the 1970 Gediz earthquake. 8,229 homes were damaged or destroyed. Costs were $55 million (1970 rate). | 1,086 | 1,174 |
| 29[59][60] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.6 | 237.2 | IV | |||
| 30[61][62] | Philippines, off the east coast of Mindanao | 6.8 | 50.0 | VII | |||
April
| Strongest | 7.4 Mw Philippines |
|---|---|
| Deadliest | 7.4 Mw Philippines 15 deaths |
| Total fatalities | 16+ |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 2 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 10 |
| 5.0–5.9 | 1 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 7[63][64][65][66] | Philippines, Luzon | 7.4 | 25.0 | VIII | 15 people were killed and over 200 were injured. Some damage was caused. A tsunami was triggered resulting in some damage. | 15 | 200 |
| 8[67][68] |  Greece, Gulf of Corinth | 6.3 | 20.0 | VII | |||
| 8[69][70] | Philippines, Luzon | 6.5 | 25.0 | VI | Aftershock. | ||
| 12[71][72] | Philippines, off the east coast of Luzon | 6.9 | 22.5 | IX | Aftershock. | ||
| 15[73][74] | Philippines, off the east coast of Luzon | 6.2 | 25.0 | V | Aftershock. | ||
| 16[75][76] | United States, Gulf of Alaska | 6.7 | 15.0 | IV | |||
| 19[77][78] | Turkey, Kutahya Province | 6.1 | 18.4 | VII | Aftershock of March 28 event. | ||
| 19[79][80] | Turkey, Kutahya Province | 6.0 | 17.5 | VII | Aftershock of March 28 event. | ||
| 20[81] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.6 | 238.7 | ||||
| 23[82][83][84] | Turkey, Manisa Province | 5.7 | 20.0 | VIII | At least 1 person was killed and 43 were injured. 150 homes were damaged or destroyed. | 1+ | 43 |
| 29[85][86] | Mexico, off the coast of Chiapas | 6.6 | 35.0 | V | Foreshock. | ||
| 29[87][88] | Mexico, off the coast of Chiapas | 7.3 | 35.0 | VIII | |||
| 30[89][90] | Mexico, off the coast of Chiapas | 6.6 | 35.0 | V | Aftershock. | ||
May
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 9[91][92] | Australia, East New Britain Province, Papua and New Guinea | 6.2 | 180.0 | IV | |||
| 14[93][94][95] | Soviet Union, Dagestan, Russia | 6.1 | 12.5 | VII | Some homes were damaged and some were destroyed. Foreshock. | ||
| 14[96][97][98] | Soviet Union, Dagestan, Russia | 6.7 | 15.0 | VIII | The 1970 Dagestan earthquake killed at least 31 people and injured 1,000 others. Many homes were damaged or destroyed. | 31 | 1,000+ |
| 15[99][100] |  Mongolia, Uvs Province | 6.3 | 7.0 | VIII | |||
| 27[101] | Japan, Bonin Islands | 7.1 | 390.0 | ||||
| 31[102][103][104] | Peru, off the north coast | 7.9 | 45.0 | X | Deadliest event of 1970. The 1970 Ancash earthquake was the worst disaster in Peruvian history. 66,794 people died and 50,000 were injured. A large part of the destruction was caused by an avalanche. Many homes were damaged or destroyed. Costs were $530 million (1970 rate). | 66,794 | 50,000 |
| 31[105][106] | Peru, off the north coast | 6.1 | 50.6 | VI | Aftershock. | ||
June
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 1[107][108] | Peru, off the north coast | 6.2 | 45.4 | V | Aftershock of May 31 event. | ||
| 4[109][110] | Peru, off the north coast | 6.4 | 54.9 | VI | Aftershock of May 31 event. | ||
| 5[111][112][113] | Soviet Union, Issyk-Kul Region, Kyrgyzstan | 6.3 | 15.0 | VIII | 5,000 homes were destroyed. | ||
| 11[114][115] | Chile, Antofagasta Region | 6.6 | 110.6 | VI | |||
| 11[116] | Australia, south of Macquarie Island | 7.3 | 15.0 | ||||
| 14[117][118] | Chile, Magallanes Region | 7.0 | 15.0 | VII | |||
| 15[119][120] | Argentina, Tierra del Fuego Province, Argentina | 7.2 | 10.0 | VII | |||
| 17[121][122] | Peru, Arequipa Region | 6.0 | 108.6 | IV | |||
| 19[123][124] | Chile, off the coast of Antofagasta Region | 6.5 | 60.0 | VI | |||
| 22[125] | Soviet Union, Kuril Islands, Russia | 6.0 | 30.3 | ||||
| 24[126] | Canada, south of Haida Gwaii | 7.4 | 18.3 | ||||
| 25[127][128] | United Kingdom, Santa Isabel Island, Solomon Islands | 6.2 | 45.0 | VI | |||
| 28[129][130] | Indonesia, Savu Sea | 6.6 | 85.8 | VI | |||
July
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 2[131][132] | Peru, off the central coast | 6.0 | 52.0 | V | Aftershock of May 31 event. | ||
| 2[133] | Turkey, Kayseri Province | 4.9 | 27.0 | 1 death was caused. 150 homes were damaged or destroyed. | 1 | ||
| 8[134][135] | United States, United States Virgin Islands | 6.1 | 143.0 | IV | |||
| 16[136] |  Tonga | 6.1 | 20.0 | ||||
| 17[137] | Tonga | 6.3 | 35.0 | ||||
| 19[138][139] | Australia, northeast of New Britain, Papua and New Guinea | 6.2 | 20.0 | VI | |||
| 25[140][141][142] | Japan, off the east coast of Kyushu | 7.0 | 45.0 | VIII | 13 people were injured and some damage was caused. | 13 | |
| 26[143][144] | Japan, off the east coast of Kyushu | 6.2 | 45.0 | V | Aftershock. | ||
| 27[145][146] | New Zealand, North Island | 6.3 | 95.0 | V | |||
| 29[147][148] | China, southern Xinjiang Province | 6.0 | 14.7 | VII | |||
| 29[149][150] | Burma, Sagaing Region | 7.0 | 79.1 | VII | |||
| 30[151][152][153] | Iran, Golestan Province | 6.7 | 15.0 | VIII | 220 people were killed and another 220 were injured. 2,000 homes were damaged or destroyed. Costs were around $8 million (1970 rate). | 220 | 220 |
| 30[154] | Gulf of Aden | 6.6 | 15.0 | ||||
| 31[155][156][157] | Colombia, Amazonas Department | 8.0 | 644.8 | IV | Largest event of 1970. The 1970 Colombia earthquake left 1 person dead and at least 51 injured. Damage was caused in the immediate area. Due to the depth and size of the event the shock was felt several thousand miles away. | 1 | 51+ |
August
| Strongest | 7.3 Mw Soviet Union, Russia |
|---|---|
| Total fatalities | 0 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 1 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 8 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 10[158] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.4 | 45.0 | Foreshock. | |||
| 11[159][160] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.9 | 45.0 | VII | |||
| 12[161] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.0 | 45.0 | Aftershock. | |||
| 12[162][163] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.5 | 45.0 | V | Aftershock. | ||
| 12[164][165] |  Nicaragua, off the west coast of | 6.5 | 60.0 | VI | |||
| 18[166][167] | United States, southern Alaska | 6.0 | 25.0 | VII | |||
| 27[168] | Tonga | 6.0 | 10.0 | ||||
| 28[169][170] | Australia, off the southeast coast of New Ireland (island), Papua and New Guinea | 6.5 | 60.0 | VI | |||
| 30[171] | Soviet Union, Sea of Okhotsk, Russia | 7.3 | 647.6 | ||||
September
| 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 | 10 |
| 5.0–5.9 | 1 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 1[172] | United States, Northern Mariana Islands | 6.6 | 25.0 | ||||
| 3[173][174] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.1 | 25.0 | V | |||
| 5[175] | Soviet Union, Sea of Okhotsk, Russia | 6.5 | 580.6 | Aftershock of August 30 event. | |||
| 7[176] |  Yugoslavia, Sibenik-Knin County, Croatia | 5.5 | 5.0 | VII | 8 people were injured and some damage was caused. | 8 | |
| 14[177][178] | Japan, off the east coast of Honshu | 6.4 | 48.6 | V | |||
| 16[179] | United States, off the south coast of Guam | 6.0 | 45.0 | ||||
| 23[180][181] | Australia, off the west coast of Bougainville Island, Papua and New Guinea | 6.4 | 35.0 | V | |||
| 23[182][183] | Australia, off the west coast of Bougainville Island, Papua and New Guinea | 6.1 | 35.0 | IV | |||
| 26[184][185][186] | Colombia, off the coast of Choco Department | 6.6 | 15.0 | rowspan="2"| 2 people were injured. 104 homes were destroyed with costs reaching $400,000 (1970 rate). Doublet earthquake. | 2 | ||
| 27[187][188] | Colombia, off the coast of Choco Department | 6.5 | 15.0 | VII | |||
| 30[189][190][191] | Philippines, Batan Islands | 6.0 | 30.0 | VII | 2 homes collapsed and many sustained damage. | ||
October
| Strongest | 6.9 Mw Australia, Papua and New Guinea |
|---|---|
| Deadliest | 6.9 Mw Australia, Papua and New Guinea 18 deaths |
| Total fatalities | 18 |
| Number by magnitude | |
| 8.0–8.9 | 0 |
| 7.0–7.9 | 0 |
| 6.0–6.9 | 6 |
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 2[192][193] | Australia, off the southwest coast of Bougainville Island, Papua and New Guinea | 6.0 | 35.0 | V | |||
| 11[194] | New Zealand, Kermadec Islands | 6.5 | 25.0 | ||||
| 14[195] | Soviet Union, Kuril Islands, Russia | 6.4 | 32.5 | ||||
| 14[196][197] | Soviet Union, Kuril Islands, Russia | 6.1 | 35.0 | V | Aftershock. | ||
| 16[198][199] | Japan, Akita Prefecture, Honshu | 6.2 | 15.0 | VII | |||
| 31[200][201][202][203] | Australia, Madang Province, Papua and New Guinea | 6.9 | 60.0 | VIII | 18 people were killed and 20 injured in the 1970 New Guinea earthquake. 3 of the deaths were from a canoe capsizing. Damage costs reached $1.75 million with 800 homes being damaged or destroyed. | 18 | 20 |
November
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 8[204][205] | Philippines, off the east coast of Mindanao | 6.1 | 40.0 | V | |||
| 8[206][207] | Indonesia, Papua (province) | 6.7 | 35.0 | VIII | |||
| 12[208][209] | Australia, Madang Province, Papua and New Guinea | 6.3 | 15.0 | VII | Aftershock of October 31 event. | ||
| 13[210][211] | Philippines, Masbate Island | 6.5 | 13.5 | VII | |||
| 14[212][213] | Taiwan, off the east coast of | 6.2 | 29.5 | VI | |||
| 28[214][215] | Chile, Tarapaca Region | 6.0 | 45.2 | VI | |||
| 28[216][217] | Australia, East Sepik Province, Papua and New Guinea | 6.0 | 125.0 | IV | |||
December
| Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dead | Injured | ||||||
| 2[218] | United Kingdom, Solomon Islands | 7.0 | 30.0 | ||||
| 4[219][220] | Chile, Antofagasta Region | 6.5 | 39.2 | VI | |||
| 6[221][222] | Japan, off the south coast of Hokkaido | 6.5 | 40.0 | V | |||
| 7[223] | Japan, Izu Islands | 6.7 | 184.6 | ||||
| 8[224][225] | Chile, Coquimbo Region | 6.5 | 50.7 | VII | |||
| 10[226][227][228] | Peru, Tumbes Region | 7.2 | 25.0 | X | The 1970 Peru-Ecuador earthquake caused 82 deaths and 350 injuries. Damage costs were $6 million (1970 rate). | 82 | 350 |
| 19[229][230] | Indonesia, off the west coast of Sumatra | 6.2 | 42.3 | IV | |||
| 28[231] | Australia, southeast of New Ireland (island), Papua and New Guinea | 6.6 | 55.0 | ||||
| 29[232][233] | United Kingdom, Solomon Islands | 6.7 | 30.0 | VII | |||