This is a list of earthquakes in 1950. 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. The main event which dominated the year in terms of magnitude and deaths was the earthquake which struck India in August. With a magnitude of 8.6, it was one of the largest earthquakes of all time, and affected the eastern part of the country. There were 1,530 deaths, which was around three quarters of the yearly total. A number of other deadly events struck Venezuela and Peru. There were 21 magnitude 7.0+ quakes. Aside from India, Chile was hit by a magnitude 8.2 event in December that left one person dead. Aftershock sequences contributed to a large number of magnitude 6.0–6.9 events, especially in India and New Hebrides (which also saw four magnitude 7.0+ quakes).
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Deadliest ...
Earthquakes in 1950Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1950
|
Strongest magnitude | India, Arunachal Pradesh (Magnitude 8.6) August 15 |
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Deadliest | India, Arunachal Pradesh (Magnitude 8.6) August 15 1,530 deaths |
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Total fatalities | 1,756 |
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|
9.0+ | 0 |
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|
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By death toll
More information Rank, Death toll ...
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- Note: At least 10 casualties
By magnitude
More information Rank, Magnitude ...
Rank |
Magnitude |
Death toll |
Location |
MMI |
Depth (km) |
Date |
1 |
8.6 |
1,530 |
India, Arunachal Pradesh |
XI (Extreme)
|
15.0 |
August 15 |
2 |
8.2 |
1 |
Chile, Antofagasta Region |
VII (Very strong)
|
113.9 |
December 9 |
3 |
7.9 |
0 |
New Hebrides, Vanuatu |
VI (Strong)
|
30.0 |
December 2 |
4 |
7.8 |
0 |
Tonga |
VI (Strong)
|
215.9 |
December 14 |
= 5 |
7.7 |
0 |
Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, Sea of Okhotsk |
V (Moderate)
|
329.0 |
February 28 |
= 5 |
7.7 |
0 |
Indonesia, Banda Sea |
VI (Strong)
|
199.7 |
November 2 |
= 6 |
7.5 |
0 |
Afghanistan, Badakhshan Province |
( )
|
215.4 |
July 9 |
= 6 |
7.5 |
0 |
Costa Rica, Guanacaste Province |
VII (Very strong)
|
97.9 |
October 5 |
7 |
7.3 |
1 |
Indonesia, Banda Sea |
VI (Strong)
|
20.0 |
October 8 |
= 8 |
7.2 |
0 |
Indonesia, Papua (province) |
VII (Very strong)
|
30.0 |
September 19 |
= 8 |
7.2 |
0 |
Guatemala, near Champerico, Retalhuleu Department |
VII (Very strong)
|
65.3 |
October 23 |
= 8 |
7.2 |
0 |
New Hebrides, Vanuatu |
( )
|
60.0 |
December 2 |
= 8 |
7.2 |
0 |
Australia, southeast of New Ireland (island), Papua and New Guinea |
( )
|
78.3 |
December 4 |
= 8 |
7.2 |
0 |
New Zealand, Kermadec Islands |
( )
|
298.4 |
December 10 |
= 9 |
7.1 |
0 |
New Hebrides, southwest of Aneityum, Vanuatu |
VII (Very strong)
|
50.0 |
May 26 |
= 9 |
7.1 |
0 |
Argentina, Santiago del Estero Province |
( )
|
610.0 |
August 14 |
= 9 |
7.1 |
0 |
New Hebrides, Vanuatu |
( )
|
141.3 |
September 10 |
= 9 |
7.1 |
0 |
Mexico, Guerrero |
VII (Very strong)
|
35.0 |
December 14 |
= 10 |
7.0 |
0 |
United States, southwest of Guam |
( )
|
77.3 |
May 25 |
= 10 |
7.0 |
0 |
Brazil, Acre (state) |
( )
|
646.2 |
July 9 |
= 10 |
7.0 |
0 |
Philippines, southeast of Mindanao |
( )
|
120.0 |
August 31 |
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- Note: At least 7.0 magnitude
January
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Deadliest ...
JanuaryStrongest magnitude | 6.8 Mw 2 events |
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Deadliest | 5.7 Mw Iran 20 deaths |
---|
Total fatalities | 21+ |
---|
|
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
---|
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
---|
6.0–6.9 | 6 |
---|
5.0–5.9 | 1 |
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More information Date, Country and location ...
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February
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Total fatalities ...
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March
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Total fatalities ...
MarchStrongest magnitude | 6.8 Mw, Peru |
---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
---|
|
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
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7.0–7.9 | 0 |
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6.0–6.9 | 4 |
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More information Date, Country and location ...
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April
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Total fatalities ...
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More information Date, Country and location ...
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May
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Deadliest ...
MayStrongest magnitude | 7.1 Mw, New Hebrides |
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Deadliest | 6.0 Mw, Peru 83 deaths |
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Total fatalities | 83 |
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|
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
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7.0–7.9 | 2 |
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6.0–6.9 | 11 |
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More information Date, Country and location ...
Date |
Country and location |
Mw |
Depth (km) |
MMI |
Notes |
Casualties |
Dead |
Injured |
9[39][40] | Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic, Ahal Region | 6.1 | 15.0 | VII
| | | |
10[41] | Mozambique Channel | 6.2 | 15.0 |
| | | |
17[42] | Sea of Japan | 6.7 | 579.3 |
| | | |
17[43] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.7 | 35.0 |
| | | |
21[44][45] | Peru, Cusco Region | 6.0 | 100.0 |
| 83 people were killed and major damage was caused. | 83 | |
25[46] | United States, northern Alaska | 6.0 | 0.0 |
| Unknown depth. | | |
25[47] | United States, southwest of Guam | 7.0 | 77.3 |
| | | |
26[48][49] | New Hebrides, southwest of Aneityum, Vanuatu | 7.1 | 50.0 |
rowspan="2"| Doublet earthquake. The second event was only 14 seconds after the first. | | |
26[50][51] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.9 | 35.0 | V
| | |
27[52] | Fiji | 6.8 | 588.3 |
| | | |
30[53][54] | United States, Hawaii (island), Hawaii | 6.3 | 15.0 | VII
| | | |
30[55] | Fiji | 6.4 | 590.0 |
| | | |
31[56][57] | Japan, Ryukyu Islands | 6.2 | 46.0 | IV
| | | |
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June
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Deadliest ...
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More information Date, Country and location ...
Date |
Country and location |
Mw |
Depth (km) |
MMI |
Notes |
Casualties |
Dead |
Injured |
4[58][59] | Philippines, southeast of Mindanao | 6.0 | 15.0 | VI
| | | |
7[60] | Peru, Loreto Region | 6.8 | 115.5 |
| | | |
17[61] | New Zealand, Manawatu-Whanganui, North Island | 6.0 | 192.0 |
| | | |
17[62][63] | Japan, off the east coast of Honshu | 6.0 | 35.0 | IV
| | | |
19[64][65][66] | Indonesia, Java | 6.6 | 45.0 | VII
| 16 people were killed and another 50 were hurt. 50 homes were destroyed. | 16 | 50 |
21[67] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.7 | 35.0 |
| | | |
21[68] | Australia, off the north coast of Papua and New Guinea | 6.3 | 20.0 |
| | | |
24[69][70] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.9 | 35.0 | VI
| | | |
25[71][72] | Philippines, southeast of Mindanao | 6.2 | 57.6 | IV
| | | |
27[73][74] | Japan, off the west coast of Hokkaido | 6.3 | 15.0 | V
| | | |
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July
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Total fatalities ...
JulyStrongest magnitude | 7.5 Mw, Afghanistan |
---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
---|
|
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
---|
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
---|
6.0–6.9 | 9 |
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More information Date, Country and location ...
Date |
Country and location |
Mw |
Depth (km) |
MMI |
Notes |
Casualties |
Dead |
Injured |
9[75] | Brazil, Acre (state) | 6.8 | 646.0 |
rowspan="2"| Doublet earthquake. | | |
9[76] | Brazil, Acre (state) | 7.0 | 646.2 |
| | |
9[77] | Brazil, Acre (state) | 6.4 | 633.8 |
| Aftershock. | | |
9[78] | Afghanistan, Badakhshan Province | 7.5 | 215.4 |
| | | |
13[79] | Japan, Bonin Islands | 6.9 | 511.6 |
| | | |
18[80][81] | Philippines, northern Mindanao | 6.1 | 15.0 | VII
| | | |
20[82] | Fiji | 6.5 | 35.0 |
| | | |
21[83] | New Zealand, Kermadec Islands | 6.8 | 20.0 |
| | | |
21[84][85] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.4 | 15.0 | VI
| | | |
29[86][87] | Indonesia, northern Molucca Sea | 6.3 | 30.0 | IV
| | | |
29[88][89] | Australia, southwest of Bougainville Island, Papua and New Guinea | 6.7 | 65.0 | VI
| | | |
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August
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Deadliest ...
AugustStrongest magnitude | 8.6 Mw, India |
---|
Deadliest | 8.6 Mw, India 1,530 deaths |
---|
Total fatalities | 1,630 |
---|
|
8.0–8.9 | 1 |
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7.0–7.9 | 2 |
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6.0–6.9 | 23 |
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More information Date, Country and location ...
Date |
Country and location |
Mw |
Depth (km) |
MMI |
Notes |
Casualties |
Dead |
Injured |
3[90] | Mexico, Guerrero | 6.1 | 80.5 |
| | | |
3[91] | United States, southwest of Guam | 6.5 | 20.0 |
| | | |
3[92] | Japan, off the east coast of Honshu | 6.5 | 96.0 |
| | | |
3[93][94][95] | Venezuela, Lara (state) | 6.4 | 15.0 | VII
| 100 people were killed. | 100 | |
7[96] | Philippines, southern Mindanao | 6.8 | 135.5 |
| | | |
14[97] | Argentina, Santiago del Estero Province | 7.1 | 610.0 |
| | | |
15[98][99][100] | India, Arunachal Pradesh | 8.6 | 15.0 | XI
| The 1950 Assam–Tibet earthquake was one of the largest of all time. 1,530 people were killed and major property damage was caused. Costs were around $20 million (1950 rate). Many large aftershocks followed. These events have been plotted on the map but are not listed to prevent cluttering. | 1,530 | |
17[101] | Fiji, south of | 6.9 | 609.8 |
| | | |
21[102][103] | China, southern Qinghai Province | 6.0 | 15.0 | VII
| | | |
22[104][105] | Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, eastern Kamchatka Krai | 6.0 | 64.4 | V
| | | |
26[106] | United States, northern Alaska | 6.0 | 15.0 |
| | | |
29[107][108] | Indonesia, off the west coast of Sumatra | 6.3 | 55.0 | VI
| | | |
30[109][110] | Indonesia, northeast Banda Sea | 6.1 | 20.0 | IV
| | | |
31[111] | Philippines, southeast of Mindanao | 7.0 | 120.0 |
| | | |
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September
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Total fatalities ...
SeptemberStrongest magnitude | 7.2 Mw, Indonesia |
---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
---|
|
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
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7.0–7.9 | 2 |
---|
6.0–6.9 | 13 |
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More information Date, Country and location ...
Date |
Country and location |
Mw |
Depth (km) |
MMI |
Notes |
Casualties |
Dead |
Injured |
7[112] | New Zealand, south of the Kermadec Islands | 6.5 | 50.0 |
| | | |
9[113][114] | Australia, New Ireland (island), Papua and New Guinea | 6.3 | 25.0 | VI
| | | |
10[115][116] | Japan, off the southeast coast of Honshu | 6.1 | 35.0 | V
| | | |
10[117] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 7.1 | 141.3 |
| | | |
13[118][119][120] | China, Yunnan Province | 6.0 | 15.0 | VIII
| 320 homes were destroyed. | | |
14[121] | Indonesia, Molucca Sea | 6.2 | 35.0 |
| | | |
16[122] | United States, Rat Islands, Alaska | 6.6 | 100.0 |
| | | |
18[123] | Brazil, Acre (state) | 6.0 | 635.3 |
| | | |
19[124][125] | Indonesia, Papua (province) | 7.2 | 30.0 | VII
| | | |
22[126] | Fiji | 6.8 | 400.4 |
| | | |
25[127][128] | Philippines, northeast of Mindanao | 6.0 | 25.0 | VI
| | | |
28[129][130] | Taiwan, off the east coast of | 6.1 | 15.0 | VI
| | | |
29[131] | Mexico, off the coast of Jalisco | 6.6 | 15.0 |
| | | |
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October
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Deadliest ...
OctoberStrongest magnitude | 7.5 Mw, Costa Rica |
---|
Deadliest | 7.3 Mw, Indonesia 1 death |
---|
Total fatalities | 1 |
---|
|
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
---|
7.0–7.9 | 3 |
---|
6.0–6.9 | 14 |
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More information Date, Country and location ...
Date |
Country and location |
Mw |
Depth (km) |
MMI |
Notes |
Casualties |
Dead |
Injured |
5[132][133][134] | Costa Rica, Guanacaste Province | 7.5 | 97.9 | VII
| At least 101 people were injured and some damage was reported. | | 101+ |
8[135][136][137] | Indonesia, Banda Sea | 7.3 | 20.0 | VI
| A tsunami swept across Ambon Island causing 1 death and major damage. | 1 | |
8[138] | Australia, southeast of New Britain, Papua and New Guinea | 6.2 | 15.0 |
| | | |
10[139] | New Zealand, Southland, New Zealand | 6.0 | 15.0 |
| | | |
15[140][141] | United Kingdom, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands | 6.2 | 35.0 | VI
| | | |
21[142] | Tonga, Vava'u | 6.3 | 45.0 |
| | | |
23[143][144][145] | Guatemala, Champerico | 7.2 | 65.3 | VII
| Many homes were destroyed or damaged. Several large aftershocks followed but are not listed to prevent cluttering. | | |
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November
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Total fatalities ...
NovemberStrongest magnitude | 7.7 Mw, Indonesia |
---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
---|
|
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
---|
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
---|
6.0–6.9 | 4 |
---|
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More information Date, Country and location ...
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December
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Deadliest ...
DecemberStrongest magnitude | 8.2 Mw, Chile |
---|
Deadliest | 6.3 Mw, Peru 4 deaths |
---|
Total fatalities | 5 |
---|
|
8.0–8.9 | 1 |
---|
7.0–7.9 | 6 |
---|
6.0–6.9 | 8 |
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More information Date, Country and location ...
Date |
Country and location |
Mw |
Depth (km) |
MMI |
Notes |
Casualties |
Dead |
Injured |
2[157] | Brazil, Acre (state) | 6.8 | 643.3 |
| | | |
2[158][159] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 7.9 | 30.0 | VI
| | | |
2[160] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 7.2 | 60.0 |
| This large aftershock came only 4 minutes after the mainshock. | | |
4[161] | Australia, southeast of New Ireland (island), Papua and New Guinea | 7.2 | 78.3 |
| | | |
5[162] | Japan, southeast of the Ryukyu Islands | 6.0 | 25.0 |
| | | |
9[163][164][165] | Chile, Antofagasta Region | 8.2 | 113.9 | VII
| 1 person was killed and at least 51 were injured in the 1950 Calama earthquake. | 1 | 51+ |
10[166][167][168] | Peru, Ica Region | 6.3 | 61.5 | VI
| 4 people were killed and 12 were injured. Some homes were destroyed. | 4 | 12 |
10[169] | New Zealand, Kermadec Islands | 7.2 | 298.4 |
| | | |
11[170] | Brazil, Acre (state) | 6.2 | 644.5 |
| Aftershock. | | |
14[171] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.5 | 65.0 |
| | | |
14[172][173] | Tonga | 7.8 | 215.9 | VI
| | | |
14[174][175][176] | Mexico, Guerrero | 7.1 | 35.0 | VII
| Some damage was reported. | | |
18[177][178] | Indonesia, Ambon Island | 6.3 | 35.0 | VI
| | | |
28[179] | Brazil, Acre (state) | 6.2 | 635.0 |
| Aftershock. | | |
29[180][181] | China, western Xizang Province | 6.1 | 15.0 | VII
| | | |
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"M 6.9 – Myanmar". United States Geological Survey. February 2, 1950. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
"M 6.9 – Myanmar". United States Geological Survey. February 2, 1950. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
"M 6.7 – Myanmar". United States Geological Survey. February 3, 1950. Retrieved November 5, 2016.
"M 6.7 – Myanmar". United States Geological Survey. February 3, 1950. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
"M 6.7 – Vanuatu". United States Geological Survey. May 17, 1950. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
"M 7.1 – Vanuatu". United States Geological Survey. May 26, 1950. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
"M 7.1 – Vanuatu". United States Geological Survey. May 26, 1950. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
"M 6.9 – Vanuatu". United States Geological Survey. May 26, 1950. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
"M 6.9 – Vanuatu". United States Geological Survey. May 26, 1950. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
"M 6.7 – Vanuatu". United States Geological Survey. June 21, 1950. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
"M 6.9 – Vanuatu". United States Geological Survey. June 24, 1950. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
"M 6.9 – Vanuatu". United States Geological Survey. June 24, 1950. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
"M 6.4 – Vanuatu". United States Geological Survey. July 21, 1950. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
"M 6.4 – Vanuatu". United States Geological Survey. July 21, 1950. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
"M 6.1 – Taiwan". United States Geological Survey. September 28, 1950. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
"M 6.1 – Taiwan". United States Geological Survey. September 28, 1950. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
"M 7.5 – Costa Rica". United States Geological Survey. October 5, 1950. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
"M 7.5 – Costa Rica". United States Geological Survey. October 5, 1950. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
"M 7.3 – Banda Sea". United States Geological Survey. October 8, 1950. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
"M 7.3 – Banda Sea". United States Geological Survey. October 8, 1950. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
"M 6.3 – Tonga". United States Geological Survey. October 21, 1950. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
"M 7.2 – Guatemala". United States Geological Survey. October 23, 1950. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
"M 7.2 – Guatemala". United States Geological Survey. October 23, 1950. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
"M 7.7 – Banda Sea". United States Geological Survey. November 2, 1950. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
"M 7.7 – Banda Sea". United States Geological Survey. November 2, 1950. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
"M 7.9 – Vanuatu". United States Geological Survey. December 2, 1950. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
"M 7.9 – Vanuatu". United States Geological Survey. December 2, 1950. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
"M 7.8 – Tonga". United States Geological Survey. December 14, 1950. Retrieved November 28, 2016.