This is a list of earthquakes in 1980. Only earthquakes of magnitude 6 or above are included, unless they result in damage and/or casualties, or are notable for some other reason. Events in remote areas will not be listed but included in statistics and maps. Countries are entered on the lists in order of their status in this particular year. 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. Although activity was once again below average, 1980 had several deadly events which helped the overall number of deaths surpass 10,000. The largest of just 6 magnitude 7.0+ events measured 7.9 and struck the Solomon Islands in July. The last quarter of the year had the bulk of the deaths. Algeria had its largest earthquake in October. The magnitude 7.3 event caused 5,000 deaths. A fortnight later Mexico suffered 300 lost lives. At the end of November southern Italy was struck by a magnitude 6.9 earthquake which led to nearly 4,700 deaths. Other areas experiencing deaths were Portugal and Nepal.
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Deadliest ...
Earthquakes in 1980Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1980
|
Strongest magnitude | Solomon Islands, Santa Cruz Islands, (Magnitude 7.9) July 17 |
---|
Deadliest | Algeria, Chlef Province, (Magnitude 7.3) October 10 5,000 deaths |
---|
Total fatalities | 10,326 |
---|
|
9.0+ | 0 |
---|
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
---|
7.0–7.9 | 6 |
---|
6.0–6.9 | 90 |
---|
5.0–5.9 | 1,311 |
---|
4.0–4.9 | 3,410 |
---|
|
Close
More information Rank, Death toll ...
Close
Listed are earthquakes with at least 10 dead.
More information Rank, Magnitude ...
Close
Listed are earthquakes with at least 7.0 magnitude.
January
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Deadliest ...
JanuaryStrongest magnitude | 6.7 Mw Portugal |
---|
Deadliest | 6.7 Mw Portugal 69 deaths |
---|
Total fatalities | 69 |
---|
|
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
---|
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
---|
6.0–6.9 | 4 |
---|
5.0–5.9 | 126 |
---|
4.0–4.9 | 260 |
---|
Close
More information Date, Country and location ...
Close
February
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Total fatalities ...
FebruaryStrongest magnitude | 7.0 Mw Soviet Union, Russia |
---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
---|
|
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
---|
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
---|
6.0–6.9 | 8 |
---|
5.0–5.9 | 117 |
---|
4.0–4.9 | 262 |
---|
Close
More information Date, Country and location ...
Close
March
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Total fatalities ...
MarchStrongest magnitude | 6.9 Mw United States |
---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
---|
|
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
---|
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
---|
6.0–6.9 | 8 |
---|
5.0–5.9 | 111 |
---|
4.0–4.9 | 365 |
---|
Close
More information Date, Country and location ...
Close
April
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Total fatalities ...
AprilStrongest magnitude | 6.7 Mw Fiji |
---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
---|
|
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
---|
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
---|
6.0–6.9 | 5 |
---|
5.0–5.9 | 105 |
---|
4.0–4.9 | 358 |
---|
Close
More information Date, Country and location ...
Date |
Country and location |
Mw |
Depth (km) |
MMI |
Notes |
Casualties |
Dead |
Injured |
13[15] | Fiji, south of | 6.7 | 79.0 |
| | | |
16[16][17] | Indonesia, off the south coast of Java | 5.8 | 84.0 | V
| Some damage was caused. | | |
Close
May
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Total fatalities ...
MayStrongest magnitude | 6.4 Mw Australia |
---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
---|
|
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
---|
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
---|
6.0–6.9 | 11 |
---|
5.0–5.9 | 105 |
---|
4.0–4.9 | 398 |
---|
Close
More information Date, Country and location ...
Date |
Country and location |
Mw |
Depth (km) |
MMI |
Notes |
Casualties |
Dead |
Injured |
4[18] | Iran, Gilan Province | 6.2 | 46.0 | VII
| | | |
12[19] | New Hebrides | 6.1 | 20.0 | VII
| | | |
14[20][21] | Italy, Basilicata | 4.5 | 24.0 | VIII
| Some damage was reported. | | |
18[22][23] | Guatemala, Solola Department | 5.3 | 105.0 | IV
| Some damage was reported. | | |
18[24] | United States, Mount St. Helens, Washington (state) | 5.7 | 1.5 | VI
| This event served as the catalyst for the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. For weeks prior to this minor eruptions and earthquakes rattled the area. The catastrophic explosion which caused the destruction of the surrounding area occurred seconds after this earthquake. | | |
18[25][26] | Yugoslavia, Rasina District, Serbia | 5.8 | 9.0 | VIII
| 30 people were injured and some damage was reported. Costs were $5 million (1980 rate). | | 30 |
25[27][28] | United States, Long Valley Caldera, California | 6.1 | 6.8 | VIII
| First in a series of large events over the coming days to affect the area. 7 people were injured and some damage was reported. Costs reached $1.5 million (1980 rate). | | 7 |
25[29] | United States, Long Valley Caldera, California | 6.0 | 6.7 | VII
| | | |
25[30] | United States, Long Valley Caldera, California | 6.1 | 11.9 | VII
| | | |
26[31] | Chile, Tarapaca Region | 6.1 | 114.0 | V
| | | |
27[32] | Tonga | 6.1 | 33.0 |
| | | |
27[33] | United States, Long Valley Caldera, California | 6.2 | 13.8 | VII
| | | |
Close
June
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Deadliest ...
JuneStrongest magnitude | 6.8 Mw Philippines |
---|
Deadliest | 6.3 Mw Mexico 1 death |
---|
Total fatalities | 1 |
---|
|
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
---|
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
---|
6.0–6.9 | 12 |
---|
5.0–5.9 | 139 |
---|
4.0–4.9 | 280 |
---|
Close
More information Date, Country and location ...
Close
July
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Deadliest ...
JulyStrongest magnitude | 7.9 Mw Solomon Islands |
---|
Deadliest | 6.5 Mw Nepal 200 deaths |
---|
Total fatalities | 203 |
---|
|
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
---|
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
---|
6.0–6.9 | 10 |
---|
5.0–5.9 | 123 |
---|
4.0–4.9 | 299 |
---|
Close
More information Date, Country and location ...
Date |
Country and location |
Mw |
Depth (km) |
MMI |
Notes |
Casualties |
Dead |
Injured |
8[43][44] | Solomon Islands, Santa Cruz Islands | 7.5 | 33.0 | VII
| Foreshock to July 17 event. Some damage was caused. | | |
9[45][46] | Greece, Thessaly | 6.4 | 14.0 |
rowspan="2"| Doublet earthquake. 1 person was killed and at least 101 were injured. $5 million (1980 rate) in damage was reported. | 1 | 101 |
9[47] | Greece, Thessaly | 6.3 | 20.0 | VI
| | |
9[48] | Solomon Islands, Santa Cruz Islands | 6.7 | 33.0 |
| Aftershock. | | |
11[49][50] | Soviet Union, Sughd Region, Tajikistan | 5.2 | 33.0 | VI
| Some damage was caused. | | |
12[51] | Greece, Thessaly | 4.0 | 10.0 |
| Aftershock of July 9 events. 1 person was killed and 17 were injured. Damage costs were $5 million (1980 rate). | 1 | 17 |
14[52] | New Zealand, Kermadec Islands | 6.6 | 49.0 |
| | | |
16[53] | Papua New Guinea, East Sepik Province | 6.5 | 84.0 | VIII
| | | |
17[54] | Solomon Islands, Santa Cruz Islands | 7.9 | 33.0 | VI
| Largest event in 1980. | | |
19[55] | Argentina, San Juan Province (Argentina) | 6.1 | 110.0 | IV
| | | |
22[56][57] | Iran, Gilan Province | 5.4 | 62.0 | IV
| 1 person died and major damage was reported. | 1 | |
27[58][59] | United States, Kentucky | 5.0 | 10.0 | VI
| Largest event in Kentucky's history. 2 people were injured and some property damage was caused. Costs reached $1 million (1980 rate). | | 2 |
29[60] | Solomon Islands, Santa Cruz Islands | 6.7 | 48.0 | VI
| Aftershock of July 17 event. | | |
29[61][62] | Nepal, Sudurpashchim Province | 6.5 | 18.0 | VIII
| 200 people died and at least 101 were injured during the 1980 Nepal earthquake. Major property damage was caused with costs of $245 million (1980 rate). | 200 | 101 |
Close
August
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Deadliest ...
AugustStrongest magnitude | 6.4 Mw Guatemala |
---|
Deadliest | 5.2 Mw India 15 deaths |
---|
Total fatalities | 26 |
---|
|
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
---|
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
---|
6.0–6.9 | 4 |
---|
5.0–5.9 | 92 |
---|
4.0–4.9 | 230 |
---|
Close
More information Date, Country and location ...
Close
September
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Deadliest ...
SeptemberStrongest magnitude | 6.5 Mw Papua New Guinea |
---|
Deadliest | 6.0 Mw Japan 2 deaths |
---|
Total fatalities | 2 |
---|
|
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
---|
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
---|
6.0–6.9 | 4 |
---|
5.0–5.9 | 86 |
---|
4.0–4.9 | 180 |
---|
Close
More information Date, Country and location ...
Close
October
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Deadliest ...
OctoberStrongest magnitude | 7.3 Mw Algeria |
---|
Deadliest | 7.3 Mw Algeria 5,000 deaths |
---|
Total fatalities | 5,300 |
---|
|
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
---|
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
---|
6.0–6.9 | 12 |
---|
5.0–5.9 | 111 |
---|
4.0–4.9 | 293 |
---|
Close
More information Date, Country and location ...
Date |
Country and location |
Mw |
Depth (km) |
MMI |
Notes |
Casualties |
Dead |
Injured |
5[77][78] | New Zealand, Hawke's Bay Region, North Island | 5.6 | 32.0 | VI
| Some damage was reported. | | |
9[79] | Tonga | 6.0 | 33.0 |
| | | |
10[80][81] | Algeria, Chlef Province | 7.3 | 10.0 | X
| Deadliest event in 1980. The 1980 El Asnam earthquake was the largest event in Algerian history. 5,000 people died and over 9,000 were injured. Catastrophic property damage was caused. 25,000 homes were destroyed. Damage costs reached $5.2 billion (1980 rate). | 5,000 | 9,000 |
10[82] | Algeria, Chlef Province | 6.2 | 10.0 | VII
| Aftershock. | | |
24[83] | France, southeast of Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia | 6.7 | 33.0 |
| Foreshock of October 25 event. | | |
24[84][85] | Mexico, Puebla | 6.4 | 72.0 | IX
| 300 people were killed in the 1980 Oaxaca earthquake. At least 101 people were injured. $5 million (1980 rate) in damage costs were reported. | 300 | 101 |
25[86] | France, southeast of Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia | 6.7 | 33.0 |
| Foreshock of later event. | | |
25[87] | France, southeast of Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia | 7.2 | 33.0 |
| | | |
25[88] | France, southeast of Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia | 6.5 | 33.0 |
| Aftershock. | | |
26[89] | Philippines, off the east coast of Samar | 6.1 | 48.0 | V
| | | |
Close
November
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Deadliest ...
NovemberStrongest magnitude | 7.2 Mw United States |
---|
Deadliest | 6.9 Mw Italy 4,689 deaths |
---|
Total fatalities | 4,696 |
---|
|
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
---|
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
---|
6.0–6.9 | 5 |
---|
5.0–5.9 | 109 |
---|
4.0–4.9 | 268 |
---|
Close
More information Date, Country and location ...
Close
December
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Deadliest ...
DecemberStrongest magnitude | 6.8 Mw Canada |
---|
Deadliest | 5.8 Mw Iran 26 deaths |
---|
Total fatalities | 29 |
---|
|
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
---|
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
---|
6.0–6.9 | 7 |
---|
5.0–5.9 | 104 |
---|
4.0–4.9 | 222 |
---|
Close
More information Date, Country and location ...
Close