This is a list of earthquakes in 1963. 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. A fairly active year with 17 events reaching above magnitude 7.0. The intensity of the events was stronger with 2 measuring above magnitude 8. Both events came within 3 weeks of each other. The strongest of 1963 was in the Kuril Islands, Russia and was magnitude 8.5. Macedonia had by far the most of the 1,488 fatalities. A fairly modest magnitude 6.0 event in July resulted in 1,070 deaths and substantial destruction. Libya had one of the worst events in its history in February. Again a fairly moderate magnitude 5.6 ended up with 300 deaths in the area.
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Deadliest ...
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By magnitude
More information Rank, Magnitude ...
Rank |
Magnitude |
Death toll |
Location |
MMI |
Depth (km) |
Date |
1 |
8.5 |
0 |
Soviet Union, Kuril Islands, Russia |
IX (Violent)
|
35.0 |
October 13 |
2 |
8.1 |
0 |
Indonesia, Banda Sea |
VIII (Severe)
|
65.0 |
November 4 |
3 |
7.8 |
0 |
Soviet Union, Kuril Islands, Russia |
VI (Strong)
|
28.2 |
October 20 |
4 |
7.7 |
0 |
Peru, Puno Region |
IV (Light)
|
550.0 |
August 15 |
= 5 |
7.6 |
0 |
Brazil, Acre (state) |
I (Not felt)
|
590.7 |
November 9 |
= 5 |
7.6 |
0 |
United Kingdom, south of Fiji |
VIII (Severe)
|
55.0 |
December 18 |
6 |
7.5 |
0 |
Australia, Morobe Province, Papua and New Guinea |
VI (Strong)
|
186.6 |
February 26 |
7 |
7.4 |
0 |
United Kingdom, Santa Cruz Islands, Solomon Islands |
IX (Violent)
|
35.0 |
September 15 |
8 |
7.3 |
0 |
New Zealand, Kermadec Islands |
I (Not felt)
|
10.0 |
March 26 |
= 9 |
7.2 |
15 |
Taiwan, off the east coast of Taiwan |
VII (Very strong)
|
30.0 |
February 13 |
= 9 |
7.2 |
0 |
Soviet Union, east of the Kuril Islands, Russia |
I (Not felt)
|
15.0 |
March 16 |
= 9 |
7.2 |
0 |
United Kingdom Santa Cruz Islands, Solomon Islands |
VIII (Severe)
|
45.0 |
September 17 |
= 10 |
7.1 |
0 |
Indonesia, south of Halmahera |
VII (Very strong)
|
30.0 |
April 16 |
= 10 |
7.1 |
0 |
Indonesia, south of Halmahera |
I (Not felt)
|
30.0 |
April 16 |
= 11 |
7.0 |
0 |
United Kingdom Fiji |
III (Weak)
|
570.0 |
August 25 |
= 11 |
7.0 |
0 |
Soviet Union, Kuril Islands, Russia |
V (Moderate)
|
37.5 |
October 12 |
= 11 |
7.0 |
0 |
Indonesia, Java Sea |
I (Not felt)
|
661.5 |
December 15 |
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- Note: At least 7.0 magnitude
January
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Total fatalities ...
JanuaryStrongest magnitude | 6.7 Mw Japan |
---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
---|
|
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
---|
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
---|
6.0–6.9 | 7 |
---|
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More information Date, Country and location ...
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February
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 |
5[13][14] | Chile, Araucanía Region | 6.4 | 25.0 | VII
| | | |
6[15][16] | Chile, Araucanía Region | 6.0 | 25.0 | VI
| Aftershock. | | |
13[17][18][19] | Taiwan, off the east coast of | 7.2 | 30.0 | VII
| The 1963 Su-ao earthquake left 15 people dead and another 18 were injured. Some homes were destroyed. | 15 | 18 |
13[20][21] | United Kingdom, Solomon Islands | 6.4 | 20.0 | VI
| | | |
14[22][23] | Indonesia, Barat Daya Islands | 6.6 | 220.0 | IV
| | | |
14[24][25] | Australia, Madang Province, Papua and New Guinea | 6.1 | 64.7 | VI
| | | |
21[26][27][28] | Kingdom of Libya, Marj District | 5.6 | 25.0 | VI
| 300 people were killed and a further 375 were injured in the 1963 Marj earthquake. Many homes were damaged or destroyed. Costs reached $5 million (1963 rate). | 300 | 375 |
26[29][30] | Australia, Morobe Province, Papua and New Guinea | 7.5 | 186.6 | VI
| | | |
27[31][32] | Australia, West New Britain Province, Papua and New Guinea | 6.7 | 35.0 | VI
| | | |
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March
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Deadliest ...
MarchStrongest magnitude | 7.3 Mw New Zealand |
---|
Deadliest | 6.0 Mw Iran 100 deaths |
---|
Total fatalities | 100 |
---|
|
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
---|
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
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6.0–6.9 | 10 |
---|
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More information Date, Country and location ...
Date |
Country and location |
Mw |
Depth (km) |
MMI |
Notes |
Casualties |
Dead |
Injured |
4[33][34] | Taiwan, off the east coast | 6.3 | 20.0 | VI
| | | |
4[35][36] | Peru, off the north coast | 6.1 | 15.0 | V
| | | |
10[37][38] | Taiwan, off the east coast | 6.1 | 15.0 | V
| Aftershock. | | |
16[39] | Soviet Union, east of the Kuril Islands, Russia | 7.2 | 15.0 |
| | | |
24[40][41] | Indonesia, northeast of Sumba | 6.3 | 20.0 | VI
| | | |
24[42][43][44] | Iran, Kermanshah Province | 6.0 | 20.0 | VII
| 100 people were killed and major damage was caused. | 100 | |
26[45] | New Zealand, Kermadec Islands | 7.3 | 10.0 |
| | | |
26[46] | New Zealand, Kermadec Islands | 6.5 | 15.0 |
| Aftershock. | | |
26[47][48] | Japan, off the west coast of Honshu | 6.3 | 15.0 | VI
| | | |
28[49][50] | Iceland, off the north coast of | 6.9 | 10.0 | VII
| | | |
31[51] | New Zealand, Kermadec Islands | 6.6 | 35.0 |
| Aftershock. | | |
31[52][53] | Australia, West New Britain Province, Papua and New Guinea | 6.1 | 35.0 | V
| | | |
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April
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Total fatalities ...
AprilStrongest magnitude | 7.1 Mw Indonesia two events |
---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
---|
|
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
---|
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
---|
6.0–6.9 | 7 |
---|
5.0–5.9 | 1 |
---|
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More information Date, Country and location ...
Date |
Country and location |
Mw |
Depth (km) |
MMI |
Notes |
Casualties |
Dead |
Injured |
7[54][55] | Indonesia, off the west coast of Sumatra | 6.1 | 59.4 | V
| | | |
10[56][57] | Indonesia, Timor | 6.0 | 70.0 | V
| | | |
13[58][59] | Peru, San Martin Region | 6.5 | 119.8 | V
| | | |
13[60][61] | Indonesia, Papua (province) | 6.1 | 46.9 | VI
| | | |
16[62][63] | Indonesia, south of Halmahera | 7.1 | 30.0 |
rowspan="2"| Doublet earthquake. | | |
16[64][65] | Indonesia, south of Halmahera | 7.1 | 30.0 | VI
| | |
19[66][67][68] | China, southern Qinghai Province | 6.7 | 20.0 | VIII
| A few homes were damaged or destroyed. | | |
23[69][70][71] | China, Yunnan Province | 5.8 | 30.0 | VII
| Some homes were destroyed. | | |
27[72][73] | Indonesia, Halmahera | 6.0 | 28.8 | VI
| Aftershock. | | |
30[74][75] | Indonesia, southeast of Halmahera | 6.3 | 60.0 | V
| Aftershock. | | |
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May
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Total fatalities ...
MayStrongest magnitude | 6.9 Mw Soviet Union |
---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
---|
|
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
---|
7.0–7.9 | 0 |
---|
6.0–6.9 | 9 |
---|
5.0–5.9 | 1 |
---|
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More information Date, Country and location ...
Date |
Country and location |
Mw |
Depth (km) |
MMI |
Notes |
Casualties |
Dead |
Injured |
1[76][77] | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.8 | 142.9 | VI
| | | |
8[78][79] | Japan, off the east coast of Honshu | 6.2 | 46.5 | V
| | | |
9[80][81][82] | Nicaragua, León Department | 5.6 | 50.0 | V
| Some damage was caused. | | |
10[83][84] | Ecuador, Morona-Santiago Province | 6.6 | 20.0 | VI
| | | |
12[85][86] | United States, Kodiak Island, Alaska | 6.0 | 36.6 | IV
| | | |
18[87][88] | Argentina, San Juan Province, Argentina | 6.0 | 15.0 | VII
| | | |
19[89][90] | Chile, Aysén Region | 6.4 | 15.0 | VII
| | | |
20[91] | New Zealand, Kermadec Islands | 6.8 | 65.0 |
| | | |
22[92] | Soviet Union, Kuril Islands, Russia | 6.9 | 30.0 |
| | | |
26[93][94] | Soviet Union, Kamchatka, Russia | 6.1 | 30.0 | VI
| | | |
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June
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Total fatalities ...
JuneStrongest magnitude | 6.9 Mw Soviet Union |
---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
---|
|
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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July
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[107] | United Kingdom, south of Fiji | 6.8 | 181.3 |
| | | |
9[108][109] | Costa Rica, off the south coast | 6.0 | 35.0 | VI
| | | |
16[110][111] | Soviet Union, Abkhazia, Georgia | 6.4 | 30.0 | VII
| | | |
19[112] | Ligurian Sea | 6.3 | 15.0 |
| | | |
19[113] | Ligurian Sea | 6.1 | 15.0 |
| This came a minute after the last event. | | |
26[114][115][116] | Yugoslavia, Skopje, Socialist Republic of Macedonia | 6.0 | 15.0 | X
| This event struck directly under Skopje. 1,070 people were killed and 3,300 were injured. Extensive damage was caused with costs being $1 billion (1963 rate). | 1,070 | 3,300 |
29[117] | New Zealand, Kermadec Islands | 6.6 | 25.0 |
rowspan="2"| Doublet earthquake. | | |
30[118] | New Zealand, Kermadec Islands | 6.5 | 25.0 |
| | |
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August
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Deadliest ...
AugustStrongest magnitude | 7.7 Mw Peru |
---|
Deadliest | 6.5 Mw China 1 death |
---|
Total fatalities | 1 |
---|
|
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
---|
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
---|
6.0–6.9 | 5 |
---|
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More information Date, Country and location ...
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September
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Deadliest ...
SeptemberStrongest magnitude | 7.4 Mw United Kingdom |
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Deadliest | 2 events caused 1 death each. |
---|
Total fatalities | 2 |
---|
|
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
---|
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
---|
6.0–6.9 | 4 |
---|
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October
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Total fatalities ...
OctoberStrongest magnitude | 8.5 Mw Soviet Union |
---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
---|
|
8.0–8.9 | 1 |
---|
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
---|
6.0–6.9 | 4 |
---|
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More information Date, Country and location ...
Date |
Country and location |
Mw |
Depth (km) |
MMI |
Notes |
Casualties |
Dead |
Injured |
3[148][149] | Japan, off the east coast of Kyushu | 6.2 | 35.0 | V
| | | |
12[150][151] | Soviet Union, Kuril Islands, Russia | 7.0 | 37.5 | V
| Foreshock. | | |
13[152][153][154] | Soviet Union, Kuril Islands, Russia | 8.5 | 35.0 | IX
| The 1963 Kuril Islands earthquake caused some property damage. A tsunami was observed. | | |
15[155][156] | Indonesia, Seram | 6.0 | 25.0 | VI
| | | |
16[157][158] | Soviet Union, Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, Tajikistan | 6.5 | 35.0 | VI
| | | |
20[159][160] | Soviet Union, Kuril Islands, Russia | 7.8 | 28.2 | VI
| Aftershock. | | |
31[161] | Tonga | 6.3 | 16.5 |
| | | |
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November
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Total fatalities ...
NovemberStrongest magnitude | 8.1 Mw Indonesia |
---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
---|
|
8.0–8.9 | 1 |
---|
7.0–7.9 | 1 |
---|
6.0–6.9 | 6 |
---|
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December
Quick Facts Strongest magnitude, Total fatalities ...
DecemberStrongest magnitude | 7.6 Mw United Kingdom |
---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
---|
|
8.0–8.9 | 0 |
---|
7.0–7.9 | 2 |
---|
6.0–6.9 | 2 |
---|
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More information Date, Country and location ...
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"M 6.3 – Taiwan". United States Geological Survey. March 4, 1963. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
"M 6.3 – Taiwan". United States Geological Survey. March 4, 1963. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
"M 6.8 – Vanuatu". United States Geological Survey. May 1, 1963. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
"M 6.8 – Vanuatu". United States Geological Survey. May 1, 1963. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
"M 6.0 – Tonga". United States Geological Survey. June 7, 1963. Retrieved April 2, 2017.
"M 6.0 – Macedonia". United States Geological Survey. July 26, 1963. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
"M 6.5 – Tajikistan". United States Geological Survey. October 16, 1963. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
"M 8.1 – Banda Sea". United States Geological Survey. November 4, 1963. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
"M 8.1 – Banda Sea". United States Geological Survey. November 4, 1963. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
"M 7.0 – Java Sea". United States Geological Survey. December 15, 1963. Retrieved April 8, 2017.