List of earthquakes in 1946

Earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946 is located in Earth
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
List of earthquakes in 1946
Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1946
Strongest magnitude United States, south of Unimak Island, Alaska (Magnitude 8.6) April 1
Deadliest Dominican Republic, Samaná Bay (Magnitude 7.5) August 4 1,790 deaths
Total fatalities6,373
Number by magnitude
9.0+0
8.0−8.93
7.0−7.918
6.0−6.947
5.0−5.91
← 1945
1947 →

This is a list of earthquakes in 1946. 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. Several great shocks affected the planet in 1946. The largest was one of the most significant in human terms. The quake itself was a magnitude 8.6 striking on April 1 in Alaska resulting in a tsunami mainly affecting Hawaii. The consequence of this apart from many deaths was the foundation of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. This organisation has helped to substantially reduce the death toll of tsunamis in the Pacific, although there have been a few exceptions, including the 2011 Japan event. Japan itself was heavily affected in 1946 by a large quake hitting in December, causing 1,362 deaths. The Dominican Republic was another nation that suffered great destruction in August. Turkey, Peru, and Turkmenistan all saw earthquakes causing many deaths. In general, 1946 was a busy year, with 21 events measuring above 7.0 and three exceeding a magnitude of 8.0.

Overall

By death toll

Rank Death toll Magnitude Location MMI Depth (km) Date
1 1,790 7.5  Dominican Republic, Samaná Bay VII (Very strong) 15.0 August 4
2 1,400 6.8  Peru, Ancash Region XI (Extreme) 15.0 November 10
3 1,362 8.3  Japan, off the south coast of Honshu VII (Very strong) 15.0 December 20
4 840 6.0  Turkey, Erzurum Province VIII (Severe) 35.0 May 31
5 400 6.9  Soviet Union, Balkan Region, Turkmenistan VII (Very strong) 37.9 November 4
6 264 6.0  France, Bordj Bou Arréridj Province, Algeria IX (Violent) 35.0 February 12
7 167 8.6  United States, south of Unimak Island, Alaska VII (Very strong) 15.0 April 1
8 75 7.0  Dominican Republic, off the northern coast VII (Very strong) 15.0 August 8
9 58 6.6  Taiwan, north of Taiwan IX (Violent) 25.0 December 4
10 12 5.6  Turkey, Konya Province VIII (Severe) 60.0 February 21
  • Note: At least 10 casualties

By magnitude

Rank Magnitude Death toll Location MMI Depth (km) Date
1 8.6 167  United States, south of Unimak Island, Alaska VII (Very strong) 15.0 April 1
2 8.3 1,362  Japan, off the south coast of Honshu VII (Very strong) 15.0 December 20
3 8.0 0  Burma, Sagaing Region VII (Very strong) 15.0 September 12
= 4 7.8 0  Burma, Sagaing Region () 15.0 September 12
= 4 7.8 0  Australia, southeast of New Ireland (island), Papua New Guinea VI (Strong) 50.0 September 29
= 5 7.5 1,790  Dominican Republic, Samaná Bay VII (Very strong) 15.0 August 4
= 5 7.5 0  Soviet Union, Jalal-Abad Region, Kyrgyzstan X (Extreme) 25.0 November 2
= 6 7.3 0  Indonesia, Mentawai Islands VII (Very strong) 35.0 May 8
= 6 7.3 0  Canada, Vancouver Island VII (Very strong) 30.0 June 23
= 7 7.2 0  Australia, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea () 95.0 January 17
= 7 7.2 0  Argentina, Santiago del Estero Province () 573.6 August 28
= 7 7.2 0  Australia, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea () 110.0 September 23
= 8 7.1 0  Mexico, Oaxaca () 109.9 June 7
= 8 7.1 0  Mexico, Veracruz () 117.8 July 11
= 9 7.0 0  New Hebrides, Vanuatu () 35.0 January 20
= 9 7.0 0  New Hebrides, Vanuatu () 175.4 July 9
= 9 7.0 75  Dominican Republic, off the northern coast VII (Very strong) 15.0 August 8
= 9 7.0 0  Fiji, south of () 84.1 August 21
= 9 7.0 0  Fiji, south of () 588.4 September 26
= 9 7.0 0  Dominican Republic, La Altagracia Province () 50.0 October 4
= 9 7.0 0  United States, Andreanof Islands, Alaska VI (Strong) 25.0 November 1
  • Note: At least 7.0 magnitude

Notable events

January

January
Strongest magnitude7.2 Mw  Australia
Deadliest6.0 Mw  Switzerland
4 deaths
Total fatalities4
Number by magnitude
8.0−8.90
7.0−7.92
6.0−6.95
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

5  Guatemala, Quiche Department 6.0 210.0
5  New Hebrides, Vanuatu 6.9 35.0 VI
11  Republic of China (1912-1949), Heilongjiang Province 6.8 581.2 II
12  United States, Gulf of Alaska 6.6 20.0 IV
17  Australia, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea 7.2 95.0
20  New Hebrides, Vanuatu 7.0 35.0
25  Switzerland, Canton of Bern 6.0 35.0 VIII The 1946 Valais earthquake killed three people in Switzerland, and one in France. 4

February

February
Strongest magnitude6.8 Mw  United States
Deadliest6.0 Mw  France
264 deaths
Total fatalities279
Number by magnitude
8.0−8.90
7.0−7.90
6.0−6.94
5.0−5.91
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

4  United States, Andreanof Islands, Alaska 6.8 160.0
10  Iran, South Khorasan Province 0.0 0.0 VIII 3 people were killed and some damage was caused. Magnitude and depth unknown. 3
12  France, Bordj Bou Arreridj Province, Algeria 6.0 35.0 IX 264 deaths were reported as well as major damage. 264
21  Turkey, Konya Province 5.6 60.0 VIII 12 people were killed. 12
22  Mexico, Chiapas 6.0 170.0
27  Argentina, Jujuy Province 6.0 270.0

March

March
Strongest magnitude6.8 Mw  Indonesia
Total fatalities0
Number by magnitude
8.0−8.90
7.0−7.90
6.0−6.93
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

15  United States, central California 6.3 6.0 VIII
25  Cuba, southeast of 6.0 35.0
26  Indonesia, off the west coast of southern Sumatra 6.8 45.0 VI

April

April
Strongest magnitude8.6 Mw  United States
Deadliest8.6 Mw  United States
167 deaths
Total fatalities167
Number by magnitude
8.0−8.91
7.0−7.90
6.0−6.91
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

1  United States, south of Unimak Island, Alaska 8.6 15.0 VII This was one of the largest events of all time. The 1946 Aleutian Islands earthquake caused a large tsunami that resulted in major destruction on Hawaii. 167 people were killed and property damage was $26 million (1946 rate). The disaster prompted the formation of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. 167
5  Greece, southwest of Crete 6.0 100.0

May

May
Strongest magnitude7.3 Mw  Indonesia
Deadliest6.0 Mw  Turkey
840 deaths
Total fatalities840
Number by magnitude
8.0−8.90
7.0−7.91
6.0−6.93
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

3  Australia, New Ireland (island), Papua New Guinea 6.9 35.0 VII
8  Indonesia, Mentawai Islands 7.3 35.0 VII
21  France, east of Martinique 6.3 30.0 V
31  Turkey, Erzurum Province 6.0 35.0 VIII 840 people were killed. 840

June

June
Strongest magnitude7.3 Mw  Canada
Total fatalities0
Number by magnitude
8.0−8.90
7.0−7.92
6.0−6.97
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

2  Taiwan, east of 6.3 15.0 V
7  Mexico, Oaxaca 7.1 109.9
15  Indonesia, Ceram Sea 6.4 15.0 V
23  Canada, Vancouver Island 7.3 30.0 VII 1946 Vancouver Island earthquake. Some property damage was caused.
24  Honduras, Copan Department 6.0 260.0
24  Indonesia, Banda Sea 6.5 160.0
26  Guatemala, Sacatepequez Department 6.5 90.0
26  New Zealand, Canterbury, New Zealand 6.5 15.0 VII
28  New Zealand, Canterbury, New Zealand 6.0 35.0 Aftershock.

July

July
Strongest magnitude7.1 Mw  Mexico
Total fatalities0
Number by magnitude
8.0−8.90
7.0−7.92
6.0−6.92
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

9  New Hebrides, Vanuatu 7.0 175.4
11  Mexico, Veracruz 7.1 117.8
12  United States, Fox Islands (Alaska) 6.8 100.0
26  Chile, off coast of Tarapaca Region 6.3 63.5 VI

August

August
Strongest magnitude7.5 Mw  Dominican Republic
Deadliest7.5 Mw  Dominican Republic
1,790 deaths
Total fatalities1,867
Number by magnitude
8.0−8.90
7.0−7.94
6.0−6.92
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

2  Chile, Atacama Region 6.9 39.2 VII 2 people were killed and major damage was caused. 2
4  Dominican Republic, Samana Bay 7.5 15.0 VII The 1946 Dominican Republic earthquake was one of the worst disasters to hit the country. The earthquake caused few deaths however a major tsunami left 1,790 people dead. Many homes were destroyed. 1,790
8  Dominican Republic, north coast 7.0 15.0 VII This was a large aftershock of the previous event. 75 further deaths were caused by a tsunami. 75
11  United Kingdom, Solomon Islands 6.5 20.0
21  Fiji, south of 7.0 84.1
28  Argentina, Santiago del Estero Province 7.2 573.6

September

September
Strongest magnitude8.0 Mw  Burma
Total fatalities0
Number by magnitude
8.0−8.91
7.0−7.94
6.0−6.91
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

12  Burma, Sagaing Region 8.0 15.0 VII 1946 Sagaing Earthquake
12  Burma, Sagaing Region 7.8 15.0 Aftershock.
23  Australia, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea 7.2 110.0
26  Fiji, south of 7.0 588.4
29  Australia, southeast of New Ireland (island), Papua New Guinea 7.8 50.0 VI
30  Peru, Ica Region 6.1 53.0 VII Many homes were damaged.

October

October
Strongest magnitude7.0 Mw  Dominican Republic
Total fatalities0
Number by magnitude
8.0−8.90
7.0−7.91
6.0−6.97
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

2  Soviet Union, southern Kamchatka Krai, Russia 6.5 38.2 VI
2  Soviet Union, southern Kamchatka Krai, Russia 6.3 34.3 Aftershock.
4  Dominican Republic, La Altagracia Province 7.0 50.0
8  Fiji, south of 6.8 620.0
13  Bolivia, Potosi Department 6.0 200.0
22  New Hebrides, Vanuatu 6.8 200.7
25  Soviet Union, eastern Kamchatka Krai, Russia 6.5 140.0
30  United States, south of Unimak Island, Alaska 6.5 30.0

November

November
Strongest magnitude7.5 Mw  Soviet Union
Deadliest6.8 Mw  Peru
1,400 deaths
Total fatalities1,800
Number by magnitude
8.0−8.90
7.0−7.92
6.0−6.97
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

1  United States, Andreanof Islands, Alaska 7.0 25.0 VI
2  Soviet Union, Jalal-Abad Region, Kyrgyzstan 7.5 25.0 X The 1946 Chatkal earthquake caused some damages to Central Asia.
4  Soviet Union, Balkan Region, Turkmenistan 6.9 37.9 VII 400 people were killed and major damage was caused. 400
6  Republic of China (1912-1949), western Xizang 6.4 25.0 VII
10  Argentina, San Juan Province, Argentina 6.2 120.0
10  Peru, Ancash Region 6.8 15.0 XI 1,400 people were killed and major damage was caused by the 1946 Ancash earthquake. 1,400
12  Tonga 6.9 15.0
17  Indonesia, Banda Sea 6.5 100.0
28  Tonga 6.9 265.0

December

December
Strongest magnitude8.3 Mw  Japan
Deadliest8.3 Mw  Japan
1,362 deaths
Total fatalities1,420
Number by magnitude
8.0−8.91
7.0−7.90
6.0−6.95
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

4  Taiwan, north of 6.6 25.0 IX The 1946 Hsinhua earthquake left 58 people dead and 384 injured. 700 homes were destroyed. 58 384
17  Fiji 6.5 580.0
19  Taiwan, east of 6.8 98.0
20  Japan, off the south coast of Honshu 8.3 15.0 VII The 1946 Nankai earthquake was one of the largest quakes to hit Japan. The south coast is vulnerable to Nankai megathrust earthquakes. 1,362 people were killed and 2,600 were injured. 36,000 homes were destroyed. A tsunami washed the shoreline contributing to the devastation with wave heights around 20 feet. 1,362 2,600
21  Soviet Union, east of Kuril Islands, Russia 6.9 20.0
25  United States, Rat Islands, Alaska 6.5 90.0

This page was last updated at 2022-11-11 18:27 UTC. Update now. View original page.

All our content comes from Wikipedia and under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.


Top

If mathematical, chemical, physical and other formulas are not displayed correctly on this page, please useFirefox or Safari