From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a list of earthquakes in 1991 . Only earthquakes of magnitude 6 or above are included, unless they result in damage or casualties, or are notable for some other reason. All dates are listed according to
UTC time.
Rank
Death toll
Magnitude
Location
MMI
Depth (km)
Date
1
2,000
6.8
India ,
Uttarakhand
IX (Violent )
10.3
October 19
2
848
6.9
Afghanistan ,
Badakshan
VII (Very Strong )
142.4
January 31
3
270
7.0
Georgia ,
Racha
IX (Violent )
17.2
April 29
4
127
7.6
Costa Rica ,
Limon
X (Extreme )
10.0
April 22
5
92
5.3
Peru ,
Department of Arequipa
VI (Strong )
5.0
July 23
6
53
7.1
Peru ,
Department of San Martín
VIII (Severe )
19.8
April 5
7
25
6.2
Guatemala ,
Chimaltenango Department
VII (Very Strong )
5.0
September 18
8
23
6.9
East Timor offshore
VII (Very Strong )
28.8
July 4
9
20
5.5
Iraq ,
Kurdistan Region
VI (Strong )
25.5
July 24
10
10
4.7
Yemen ,
Ibb
V (Moderate )
10.0
November 22
Listed are earthquakes with at least 10 dead.
Rank
Magnitude
Death toll
Location
MMI
Depth (km)
Date
1
7.6
127
Costa Rica ,
Limon Province
X (Extreme )
10.0
April 22
1
7.6
0
Russia ,
Kuril Islands offshore
VI (Strong )
24.7
December 22
3
7.5
0
Indonesia ,
Gorontalo offshore
VII (Very Strong )
31.4
June 20
4
7.3
0
Argentina ,
Santiago del Estero
I (Not Felt )
558.0
June 23
5
7.2
0
Solomon Islands ,
Malango offshore
VII (Very Strong )
23.4
October 14
5
7.2
2
Colombia ,
Chocó offshore
IX (Violent )
21.3
November 19
5
7.2
0
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands offshore
I (Not Felt )
10.0
December 27
8
7.1
53
Peru ,
San Martín
VIII (Severe )
19.8
April 5
9
7.0
0
Myanmar ,
Sagaing
VIII (Severe )
19.7
January 5
9
7.0
0
Philippines ,
Mindanao offshore
VII (Very Strong )
23.9
February 18
9
7.0
270
Georgia ,
Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti
IX (Violent )
17.2
April 29
9
7.0
0
Indonesia ,
Gorontalo offshore
VI (Strong )
33.0
May 19
9
7.0
0
Peru ,
Cusco
VII (Very Strong )
104.5
July 6
9
7.0
0
United States , offshore
Alaska Peninsula
V (Moderate )
28.4
May 30
9
7.0
0
Tonga offshore
I (Not Felt )
265.5
June 9
9
7.0
0
United States ,
Oregon offshore
V (Moderate )
1.3
August 17
9
7.0
0
Fiji region offshore
I (Not Felt )
566.4
September 30
Listed are earthquakes with at least 7.0 magnitude.
January Strongest magnitude 7.0
Myanmar Deadliest 6.9
Afghanistan 848 deaths Total fatalities 848 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 12
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
1
[1]
Mexico ,
Colima offshore, 172 km southwest of
Emiliano Zapata
6.3
35.0
I
-
-
-
2
[2]
United States ,
Nevada , 6 km southwest of
Carson City
4.4
5.8
V
Minor damage was caused in Carson City.
-
-
5
[3]
Myanmar ,
Mandalay , 99 km northwest of
Mogok
7.0
19.7
VIII
At least 32 buildings and 380 hectares of farmland were damaged in
Thabeikkyin . Some landslides were also reported.
-
-
23
[4]
United States ,
Alaska ,
Rat Islands offshore
6.4
108.4
V
-
-
-
25
[5]
Indonesia ,
Papua offshore, 162 km northwest of
Abepura
6.4
33.0
VI
-
-
-
31
[6]
Afghanistan ,
Badakshan , 77 km northwest
Parun
6.9
142.4
VII
The
1991 Hindu Kush earthquake killed 848 people (545 in
Afghanistan , 300 in
Pakistan and 3 in
Tajikistan ), injured 200 and destroyed thousands of homes. Landslides also occurred.
848
200
February Strongest magnitude 7.0
Philippines Deadliest 3.8
France 9 deaths Total fatalities 9 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 11
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
9
[7]
Solomon Islands ,
Guadalcanal offshore, 68 km southwest of
Malango
6.9
10.0
VI
Some damage occurred in
Honiara , where a tsunami of 4 cm was observed.
-
-
12
[8]
Turkey ,
Istanbul offshore, 18 km southwest of
Kinali
4.8
10.0
IV
A few people were slightly injured and minor damage occurred in the
Istanbul area.
-
3+
13
[9]
France ,
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur , 6 km south of
Claviere ,
Italy
3.8
5.0
IV
Nine people were killed by an avalanche which was triggered by the quake.
9
-
18
[10]
Philippines ,
Caraga offshore, 18 km east of
Aras-asan
7.0
23.9
VII
-
-
-
21
[11]
Russia , offshore
Bering Sea
6.7
20.2
IV
A tsunami was observed with heights of 30 cm (1 ft) in
Dutch Harbor ,
Alaska .
-
-
25
[12]
China ,
Xinjiang , 118 km southwest of
Aykol
6.0
20.6
VII
Three people were injured and at least 120 houses collapsed and 8,441 houses damaged in the
Kalpin area. Ground cracks were also reported there.
-
3
March Strongest magnitude 6.6
Russia Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 0 6.0–6.9 9
April Strongest magnitude 7.6
Costa Rica Deadliest 7.0
Georgia 270 deaths Total fatalities 452 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 3 6.0–6.9 13
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
4
[16]
Peru ,
San Martín , 4 km northeast of
Rioja
6.5
20.7
VII
This was a foreshock of the 7.1 earthquake which occurred a day later. Ten people were injured and fifteen houses were damaged.
-
10
5
[17]
Peru ,
San Martín , 11 km northeast of
Rioja
7.1
19.8
VIII
The
1991 Alto Mayo earthquake killed at least 53 people, injured 252 and destroyed 8,063 homes in the Rioja-
Moyobamba area.
53
252
5
[18]
Peru ,
Ica , 21 km southeast of
Pampa de Tate
6.3
50.0
VI
Some damage was caused in
Nazca .
-
-
6
[19]
Wallis and Futuna offshore, 203 km southeast of
Mata-Utu
6.7
16.0
I
-
-
-
18
[20]
Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic ,
Khatlon , 14 km southeast of
Boshchorbogh
5.5
33.0
V
One person died and six were injured in the
Kabodiyen District , where landslides occurred.
1
6
20
[21]
Afghanistan ,
Badakshan , 50 km south of
Jurm
4.1
33.0
III
100 homes were damaged in
Badakshan .
-
-
22
[22]
Costa Rica ,
Limón , 34 km south of
Limón
7.6
10.0
X
The
1991 Limon earthquake claimed 48 lives in
Costa Rica and 79 in
Bocas del Toro ,
Panama . Roads and bridges between
Limón and
Sixaola were all destroyed. 759 people were also injured.
127
759
24
[23]
Turkey ,
Erzurum , 33 km west of
Tekman
4.5
33.0
IV
One person was killed, three were injured and some houses were damaged in
Erzurum Province .
1
3
29
[24]
Georgia ,
Racha , 22 km northwest of
Java
7.0
17.2
IX
The
1991 Racha earthquake was the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in the
Caucasus region. 270 people were killed and 1,000 were injured.
270
1,000
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
1
[25]
United States ,
Alaska , 33 km west of
Petersville
6.3
115.1
V
Minor damage occurred in
Anchorage .
-
-
3
[26]
Japan ,
Bonin Islands offshore
6.7
433.1
I
-
-
-
3
[27]
Georgia ,
Racha , 19 km northeast of
Ambrolauri
5.6
10.0
VII
It was an aftershock of the
1991 Racha earthquake . Three people were killed by landslides.
3
-
4
[28]
Panama ,
Bocas del Toro offshore, 16 km northeast of
Changuinola
6.2
10.0
VIII
36 people were injured and 900 people were left homeless in
Changuinola .
-
36
15
[29]
Georgia ,
Racha , 7 km southwest of
Oni
4.9
14.0
VI
A mudslide destroyed all 45 houses in the
Khekheti area. It was an aftershock of the
1991 Racha earthquake .
-
-
17
[30]
Papua New Guinea ,
East Sepik , 22 km southwest of
Ambunti
6.4
59.0
VI
-
-
-
19
[31]
Indonesia ,
Gorontalo offshore, 69 km north of
Gorontalo
7.0
33.0
VI
-
-
-
21
[32]
Indonesia ,
Maluku offshore, 106 km north of
Baukau ,
Timor Leste
6.6
18.4
VI
-
-
-
26
[33]
Malaysia ,
Sabah , 13 km southeast of
Ranau
5.1
33.0
V
One person died of a
heart attack and light damage occurred in Ranau.
1
-
30
[34]
United States ,
Alaska offshore, 71 km southeast of
King Cove
7.0
28.4
V
-
-
-
June Strongest magnitude 7.5
Indonesia Deadliest 6.3
Georgia 8 deaths Total fatalities 10 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 3 6.0–6.9 6
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
7
[35]
Indonesia , offshore
Flores Sea , 160 km northeast of
Maumere
6.9
536.4
I
-
-
-
9
[36]
Tonga ,
Tongatapu offshore, 144 km northwest of
Nuku‘alofa
7.0
265.5
I
-
-
-
10
[37]
Northern
Mid-Atlantic Ridge
6.4
9.7
I
-
-
-
15
[38]
Georgia ,
Racha , 9 km northeast of
Java
6.3
9.4
VIII
It was an aftershock of the
1991 Racha earthquake . Eight people were killed, 200 were injured and further damage was caused.
8
200
15
[39]
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands offshore
6.6
51.7
I
-
-
-
20
[40]
Indonesia ,
Gorontalo offshore, 79 km northwest of
Gorontalo
7.5
31.4
VII
Over 1,500 houses were damaged in Gorontalo.
-
-
23
[41]
Argentina ,
Santiago del Estero , 27 km northwest of
El Hoyo
7.3
558.0
I
-
-
-
28
[42]
United States ,
California , 13 km northeast of
Sierra Madre
5.8
8.0
VII
After the
1991 Sierra Madre earthquake , one person was killed and another died due to a heart attack. 100 people were injured and many buildings were damaged.
2
100
July Strongest magnitude 7.0
Peru Deadliest 5.3
Peru 92 deaths Total fatalities 137 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
2
[43]
Indonesia ,
Sumatra offshore, 58 km southwest of
Padang
6.4
53.8
V
Minor damage was caused in Padang.
-
-
4
[44]
East Timor offshore, 81 km northwest
Maubara
6.9
28.8
VII
The
1991 Kalabahi earthquakes destroyed over 1,100 homes, killing 23 and injuring 181.
23
181
6
[45]
Peru ,
Cusco , 15 km west of
Lares
7.0
104.5
VII
Some damage occurred in
Cusco .
-
-
12
[46]
Romania ,
Timis , 2 km south of
Livezile
5.6
10.7
VIII
Two people died and thirty were injured after several houses collapsed. Some damage was also caused in
Serbia (formerly part of
Yugoslavia ).
2
30
13
[47]
United States ,
Oregon offshore, 103 km west of
Pistol River
6.9
11.0
VI
-
-
-
14
[48]
Afghanistan ,
Badakshan , 53 km southwest of
Ashkasham
6.7
212.9
V
-
-
-
23
[49]
Peru ,
Arequipa , 5 km southeast of
Chivay
5.3
5.0
VI
At least 92 people were killed and thirty were injured in the earthquake despite its moderate magnitude, including eighty who were missing and presumed dead.
92
30
24
[50]
Iraq ,
Kurdistan , 30 km southeast of
Aqrah
5.5
25.5
VI
At least twenty people killed and many were injured. 100 homes were destroyed.
20
Many
August Strongest magnitude 7.0
United States Total fatalities 0 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
6
[51]
Japan ,
Chiba offshore, 19 km east of
Hasaki
6.0
28.5
V
-
-
-
8
[52]
Indonesia ,
Gorontalo offshore, 67 km northwest of
Gorontalo
6.7
12.4
VII
It was an aftershock of the 7.5 earthquake that occurred in June.
-
-
14
[53]
Vanuatu ,
Torba offshore, 31 km north of
Sola
6.5
13.8
VII
-
-
-
17
[54]
United States ,
California , 30 km southwest of
Scotia
6.0
8.3
VIII
Damage and landslides occurred in
Petrolia .
-
-
17
[55]
United States ,
Oregon offshore, 136 km southwest of
Brookings
7.0
1.3
V
-
-
-
September Strongest magnitude 7.0
Fiji Deadliest 6.2
Guatemala 25 deaths Total fatalities 25 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 6
October Strongest magnitude 7.2
Solomon Islands Deadliest 6.8
India 2,000 deaths Total fatalities 2,000 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 11
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
12
[59]
Vanuatu offshore, 96 km west of
Sola
6.3
43.8
V
-
-
-
14
[60]
Solomon Islands offshore, 155 km west northwest of
Malango
7.2
23.4
VII
-
-
-
18
[61]
Tonga offshore, south of the
Fiji Islands
6.5
197.5
I
-
-
-
19
[62]
India ,
Uttarakhand , 32 km east of
Uttarkashi
6.8
10.3
IX
The
1991 Uttarkashi earthquake damaged or destroyed 18,000 buildings throughout
Uttarakhand ,
Chandigarh and
New Delhi . Landslides and a 30-meter deep crack were formed in
Uttarkashi . 2,000 people were killed and 1,800 were injured.
2,000
1,800
November Strongest magnitude 7.2
Colombia Deadliest 4.7
Yemen 10 deaths Total fatalities 13 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 13
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
1
[63]
New Zealand ,
Kermadec Islands offshore
6.6
21.4
I
-
-
-
4
[64]
Iran ,
Khuzestan , 8 km northwest of
Behbahan
5.6
38.5
V
51 people were injured and 290 houses were damaged or destroyed in Behbahan.
-
51
10
[65]
Iran ,
Khuzestan , 2 km southeast of
Behbahan
5.0
43.6
IV
Fifteen people were injured and further damage was caused in Behbahan.
-
15
13
[66]
Philippines ,
Caraga offshore, 4 km southeast of
Hinatuan
6.8
35.9
VII
Minor damage was caused.
-
-
19
[67]
Colombia ,
Chocó offshore, 33 km northwest of
Santa Genoveva de Docordó
7.2
21.3
IX
Two people were killed and 28 homes were damaged in Chocó. Minor damage was also caused in
Cali .
2
-
24
[68]
Yemen ,
Ibb , 7 km northwest of
Dhi as Sufal
4.7
10.0
V
Ten people were killed and 39 were injured. 17 houses were destroyed and 87 damaged.
10
39
26
[69]
Japan ,
Hokkaido offshore, 33 km southeast of
Shizunai-furukawachō
6.4
56.3
VI
-
-
-
28
[70]
Iran ,
Gilan , 26 km northeast of
Manjil
5.6
15.7
VI
Damage occurred in the epicentral area. One person died and seventy were injured.
1
70
December Strongest magnitude 7.6
Russia Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 2 6.0–6.9 15
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
11
[71]
New Caledonia offshore, southeast of the
Loyalty Islands
6.5
36.6
I
-
-
-
13
[72]
Russia ,
Kuril Islands offshore, 290 km east of
Kuril'sk
6.6
30.0
I
These were foreshocks of the 7.6 earthquake on December 22.
-
-
13
[73]
Russia ,
Kuril Islands offshore, 258 km east of
Kuril'sk
6.8
27.2
III
-
-
22
[74]
Russia ,
Kuril Islands offshore, 247 km east of
Kuril'sk
7.6
24.7
VI
-
-
-
27
[75]
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands offshore
7.2
10.0
I
-
-
-
27
[76]
Mongolia ,
Khövsgöl , 64 km northeast of
Kungurtug ,
Russia
6.4
13.5
VII
-
-
-
^
"M 6.3 - 172 km SSW of Emiliano Zapata, Mexico" .
^
"M 4.4 - 6 km NNE of Carson City, Nevada" .
^
"M 7.0 - 99 km NW of Mogok, Myanmar" .
^
"M 6.4 - Rat Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska" .
^
"M 6.4 - 162 km WNW of Abepura, Indonesia" .
^
"M 6.9 - 77 km NW of Parun, Afghanistan" .
^
"M 6.9 - 68 km WSW of Malango, Solomon Islands" .
^
"M 4.8 - 18 km SW of Kinali, Turkey" .
^
"M 3.8 - 6 km S of Claviere, Italy" .
^
"M 7.0 - 18 km E of Aras-asan, Philippines" .
^
"M 6.7 - Bering Sea" .
^
"M 6.0 - 118 km WSW of Aykol, China" .
^
"M 6.6 - 74 km NE of Tilichiki, Russia" .
^
"M 6.3 - 15 km N of Nandayure, Costa Rica" .
^
"M 5.4 - 58 km ESE of Datong, China" .
^
"M 6.5 - 4 km ENE of Rioja, Peru" .
^
"M 7.1 - 11 km NE of Rioja, Peru" .
^
"M 6.3 - 21 km ESE of Pampa de Tate, Peru" .
^
"M 6.7 - 203 km SSE of Mata-Utu, Wallis and Futuna" .
^
"M 5.5 - 14 km ESE of Boshchorbogh, Tajikistan" .
^
"M 4.1 - 50 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan" .
^ USGS.
"M 7.6 - Costa Rica" .
United States Geological Survey . Retrieved June 22, 2017 .
^
"M 4.5 - 33 km W of Tekman, Turkey" .
^
"M 7.0 - 22 km WNW of Java, Georgia" .
^
"M 6.3 - Central Alaska" .
^
"M 6.7 - Bonin Islands, Japan region" .
^
"M 5.6 - 19 km NNE of Ambrolauri, Georgia" .
^
"M 6.2 - 16 km NE of Changuinola, Panama" .
^
"M 4.9 - 7 km WSW of Oni, Georgia" .
^
"M 6.4 - 22 km SSW of Ambunti, Papua New Guinea" .
^
"M 7.0 - 69 km N of Gorontalo, Indonesia" .
^
"M 6.6 - 106 km N of Baukau, Timor Leste" .
^
"M 5.1 - 13 km SE of Ranau, Malaysia" .
^
"M 7.0 - 71 km SE of King Cove, Alaska" .
^
"M 6.9 - 160 km NNE of Maumere, Indonesia" .
^
"M 7.0 - 144 km NW of Nuku'alofa, Tonga" .
^
"M 6.4 - northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge" .
^
"M 6.3 - 9 km NE of Java, Georgia" .
^
"M 6.6 - South Sandwich Islands region" .
^
"M 7.5 - 79 km NNW of Gorontalo, Indonesia" .
^
"M 7.3 - 27 km NNW of El Hoyo, Argentina" .
^
"M 5.8 - 13km NNE of Sierra Madre, CA" .
^
"M 6.4 - 58 km WSW of Padang, Indonesia" .
^
"M 6.9 - 81 km NW of Maubara, Timor Leste" .
^
"M 7.0 - 15 km W of Lares, Peru" .
^
"M 5.6 - 2 km S of Livezile, Romania" .
^
"M 6.9 - 103 km W of Pistol River, Oregon" .
^
"M 6.7 - 53 km SW of Ashk?sham, Afghanistan" .
^
"M 5.3 - 5 km SSE of Chivay, Peru" .
^
"M 5.5 - 30 km SSE of 'Aqrah, Iraq" .
^
"M 6.0 - 19 km E of Hasaki, Japan" .
^
"M 6.7 - 67 km NW of Gorontalo, Indonesia" .
^
"M 6.5 - 31 km N of Sola, Vanuatu" .
^
"M 6.0 - 30 km SSW of Scotia, California" .
^
"M 7.0 - 136 km WSW of Brookings, Oregon" .
^
"M 6.2 - 4 km SE of Patzún, Guatemala" .
^
"M 6.6 - 95 km ESE of Kimbe, Papua New Guinea" .
^
"M 7.0 - Fiji region" .
^
"M 6.3 - 96 km W of Sola, Vanuatu" .
^
"M 7.2 - 155 km WNW of Malango, Solomon Islands" .
^
"M 6.5 - south of the Fiji Islands" .
^
"M 6.8 - 32 km E of Uttarkashi, India" .
^
"M 6.6 - Kermadec Islands, New Zealand" .
^
"M 5.6 - 8 km NNW of Behbahan, Iran" .
^
"M 5.0 - 2 km SSE of Behbahan, Iran" .
^
"M 6.8 - 4 km ESE of Hinatuan, Philippines" .
^
"M 7.2 - 33 km NNW of Santa Genoveva de Docordó, Colombia" .
^
"M 4.7 - 7 km NW of Dh? as Suf?l, Yemen" .
^
"M 6.4 - 33 km SSE of Shizunai-furukawachi, Japan" .
^
"M 5.6 - 26 km NE of Manjil, Iran" .
^
"M 6.5 - southeast of the Loyalty Islands" .
^
"M 6.6 - 290 km E of Kuril'sk, Russia" .
^
"M 6.8 - 258 km E of Kuril'sk, Russia" .
^
"M 7.6 - 247 km E of Kuril'sk, Russia" .
^
"M 7.2 - South Sandwich Islands region" .
^
"M 6.4 - 64 km NE of Kungurtug, Russia" .
† indicates earthquake resulting in at least 30 deaths ‡ indicates the deadliest earthquake of the year