This is a list of earthquakes in Japan with either a magnitude greater than or equal to 7.0 or which caused significant damage or casualties. As indicated below, magnitude is measured on the Richter scale (ML) or the moment magnitude scale (Mw), or the surface wave magnitude scale (Ms) for very old earthquakes. The present list is not exhaustive, and furthermore reliable and precise magnitude data is scarce for earthquakes that occurred before the development of modern measuring instruments.

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Earthquakes M5.5+ around Japan (1900–2016)
M7.0–7.9=163 EQs, M8.0+=14 EQs.[1]

History

Although there is mention of an earthquake in Yamato in what is now Nara Prefecture on August 23, 416, the first earthquake to be reliably documented took place in Nara prefecture on May 28, 599 during the reign of Empress Suiko, destroying buildings throughout Yamato province.[2][3][4] Many historical records of Japanese earthquakes exist. The Imperial Earthquake Investigation Committee was created in 1892 to conduct a systematic collation of the available historical data, published in 1899 as the Catalogue of Historical Data on Japanese Earthquakes.[4]

Following the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake, the Imperial Earthquake Investigation Committee was superseded by the Earthquake Research Institute in 1925.[3] In modern times, the catalogues compiled by Tatsuo Usami [ja] are considered to provide the most authoritative source of information on historic earthquakes, with the 2003 edition detailing 486 that took place between 416 and 1888.[3]

Earthquake measurement

In Japan, the Shindo scale is commonly used to measure earthquakes by seismic intensity instead of magnitude. This is similar to the Modified Mercalli intensity scale used in the United States or the Liedu scale used in China, meaning that the scale measures the intensity of an earthquake at a given location instead of measuring the energy an earthquake releases at its epicenter (its magnitude) as the Richter scale does.[5]

Unlike other seismic intensity scales, which normally have twelve levels of intensity, shindo (震度, seismic intensity, literally "degree of shaking") as used by the Japan Meteorological Agency is a unit with ten levels, ranging from shindo zero, a very light tremor, to shindo seven, a severe earthquake.[5] Intermediate levels for earthquakes with shindo five and six are "weak" or "strong", according to the degree of destruction they cause. Earthquakes measured at shindo four and lower are considered to be weak to mild, while those measured at five and above can cause heavy damage to furniture, wall tiles, wooden houses, reinforced concrete buildings, roads, gas and water pipes.[5]

List

More information Date and time, Magnitude ...
Date and time Magnitude Fatalities Name of quake Name in Kanji  Rōmaji name Epicenter Description
November 29, 684 (proleptic Gregorian calendar)
November 26, 684 (Julian calendar)
8.4 MK (Kawasumi scale)[6]101–1,000684 Hakuhō earthquake白鳳南海地震Hakuhou Nankai jishin32.8°N 134.3°E / 32.8; 134.3Various references estimate the quake's magnitude at 8.0 to 8.4, with damage being "severe". The dates of the quake have also been listed variously as October 14 (incorrect date) and November 24.[7] It was at this point in time that the Japanese confirmed the link between earthquakes and tsunamis, and began keeping detailed records of them. Their tsunami records are studied by geologists to this day.[citation needed]
June 5, 745 (G)
June 1, 745 (J)
7.9 MK occurred in Mino Province天平地震Tenpyō jishin34.8°N 135.5°E / 34.8; 135.5Some references describe the quake as occurring on June 9[8]
July 13, 869 (G)
July 9, 869 (J)
8.9 MK1,000+[9]869 Jōgan earthquake貞観地震Jōgan jishin38.5°N 143.8°E / 38.5; 143.8The resulting tsunami caused extensive flooding of the Sendai plain, destroying the town of Tagajō.[10]
May 27, 1293 (G)
May 20, 1293 (J)
7.1 Ms23,024[11]1293 Kamakura earthquake鎌倉大地震Kamakura Daijishin35.2°N 139.4°E / 35.2; 139.4The earthquake struck close to the city of Kamakura, Kanagawa and its magnitude has been estimated in the 7.1–7.5 range.[12] It possibly triggered a tsunami (though not all experts agree)[13][14] and the death toll has been reported as 23,024.[11]
August 3, 1361 (G)
July 26, 1361 (J)
8.4 Ms1361 Shōhei earthquake正平南海地震Shōhei Nankai Jishin33.0°N 135.0°E / 33.0; 135.0Triggered a tsunami.[15][16]
September 20, 1498 (G)
September 11, 1498 (J)
8.6 MK31,000[17]1498 Meiō earthquake明応地震Meiō jishin34.0°N 138.1°E / 34.0; 138.1Occurred off the coast of Nankai, Japan, at about 08:00 local time on 20 September 1498. It had a magnitude estimated at 8.6[17] MS and triggered a large tsunami. The death toll associated with this event is uncertain, but 31,000 casualties were reported.[18]
January 18, 15867.9 MK1586 Tenshō earthquake天正大地震Tenshō DaijishinSome islands in Ise Bay reportedly disappeared.[19][20]
February 3, 16057.9 MK5,000+[21]1605 Keichō earthquake慶長大地震Keichō Daijishin33.5°N 138.5°E / 33.5; 138.5The 1605 Keichō Nankaidō earthquake occurred at about 20:00 local time on 3 February. It had an estimated magnitude of 7.9 on the surface-wave magnitude scale and triggered a devastating tsunami that resulted in thousands of deaths in the Nankai and Tōkai regions of Japan. It is uncertain whether there were two separate earthquakes separated by a short time interval or a single event. It is referred to as a tsunami earthquake, in that the size of the tsunami greatly exceeds that expected from the magnitude of the earthquake.[22]
September 27, 16116.9 MK3,700+ (Official estimate)1611 Aizu earthquake会津地震Aizu JishinAizu basin, (Present day of Fukushima Prefecture)According to official estimated report, more than 3,700 human fatalities. Aizuwakamatsu Castle, many temples, and 20,000 houses collapsed in the damaged areas.
December 2, 16118.12,000+1611 Sanriku earthquake慶長三陸地震Keichō Sanriku Jishin39.0°N 144.4°E / 39.0; 144.4Occurred on December 2, 1611, with an epicenter off the Sanriku coast in Iwate Prefecture. The magnitude of the earthquake was 8.1M.[23]
June 16, 16627.25 – 7.6 M700–900[24]1662 Kanbun earthquake寛文近江・若狭地震kanbun Ōmi wakasa jishinLake Biwa southStrong tremor in Ōmi · Wakasa area. This earthquake is causing crustal deformation (East of Lake Suigetsu: Rose 4.5 m (15 ft)).[25]
October 30, 16627.9 Mw2001662 Hyūga-nada earthquake--Offshore KyushuMajor tsunami and seismic shaking damage.[26]
16678.5–9.0 Munknown1667 Kanbun Tokachi-oki earthquake寛文十勝沖地震 (scientific)kanbun Tokachi-oki jishinOffshore Tokachi regionInferred earthquake from tsunami deposits near Kushiro, Kuril Trench rupture. No record as the region was not yet under Japanese control.[27][28]
November 4, 16778.3–8.6 Mw 5691677 Bōsō earthquake延宝房総沖地震Enpō Bōsō-oki JishinOffshore Bōsō PeninsulaThis earthquake was felt with low intensity, but generated a large tsunami that killed 569 people. It is thought to have ruptured the interface between the Pacific plate and the Okhotsk Plate at the southern end of the Japan Trench.[29]
December 31, 17038.0 ML 5,2331703 Genroku earthquake元禄大地震Genroku DaijishinEdo
October 28, 17078.6 ML5,000+1707 Hōei earthquake宝永地震Hōei jishinOff the Kii PeninsulaStruck both the Nankaidō and Tōkai regions, causing moderate to severe damage throughout southwestern Honshu, Shikoku and southeastern Kyūshū.[30] This event also marked the last eruption of Mount Fuji to date.
April 24, 17717.4 MK13,486[31]1771 Great Yaeyama Tsunami八重山地震Yaeyama jishin24.0°N 124.3°E / 24.0; 124.3The 1771 Great Yaeyama Tsunami (also called 明和の大津波, the Great Tsunami of Meiwa) was caused by the Yaeyama Great Earthquake at about 8 A.M. on April 24. 13,486 people (including 9,313 in Yaeyama Islands (8,815 in Ishigaki Island), 2,548 in Miyako Islands and 1,625 in other areas) were confirmed to be dead or missing and more than 3,000 houses were destroyed.[31] The height of the tsunami was over 40 m (130 ft) at Ishigaki Island, up to a maximum of 85.4 m (280 ft) in the village called Miyara. In Tarama, estimated tsunami runup height was approximately 18 m (59 ft). To this day, boulders reportedly launched by the tsunami (called "tsunami stones") remain in the northwestern highlands of Miyakojima. According to unverified local legend, a small unnamed island in the area was swallowed by the tsunami and disappeared.
May 21, 17926.4 MK15,448[32]1792 Unzen landslide and tsunami[clarification needed]島原大変肥後迷惑Unzen jishin
(Shimabara Taihen Higo Meiwaku)
32.8°N 130.3°E / 32.8; 130.3
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Changes to the Ariake Sea coastline, in the center of Mount Unzen, Kumamoto Prefecture (right) and the Amakusa Islands (see below) were affected by the tsunami
An earthquake caused by volcanic activity of Mount Unzen (in the Shimabara Peninsula Nagasaki, Japan). It killed 15,000 people altogether, due in large part to a tsunami that was triggered by the collapse of nearby Mount Mayuyama's southern flank into the bay. The incident is also referred to with the phrase 'Shimabara erupted, Higo affected' (島原大変肥後迷惑), as many people in Higo, (Kumamoto, located 20 km (12 mi) away across the Ariake Sea) were also killed by the resulting tsunami, which then bounced back to hit Shimabara again.[32]
December 18, 18286.9 MK1,559 (official confirmed)1828 Sanjō earthquake三条地震Sanjō JishinSanjo, Niigata Prefecture (then Echigo Province)According to the official confirmed report, 21,134 houses and buildings were damaged, and 1,204 of them burned down. There were 1,559 human fatalities, and 2,666 injured people in the affected area.
December 7, 18337.5 MJMA1501833 Shōnai earthquake庄内沖地震Shōnai-oki JishinShōnai, Yamagata PrefectureDestructive tsunami, one of the largest tsunamis in the Sea of Japan.
May 8, 18477.3 M8,600+1847 Zenkoji earthquake善光寺地震Zenkōji JishinNagano Basin (then Shinano Province)In the central area of Nagano, many buildings collapsed, including Zenkōji temple. The earthquake triggered a complex variety of resulting disasters, which included fires, landslides, and flooding due to the formation and subsequent collapse of a "dam" made of debris from the collapsed buildings. According to the confirmed official report, the death toll throughout the region reached at least 8,600. 21,000 houses were damaged and 3,400 burned, and an additional 44,000 homes were damaged by the landslides in the area.
July 9, 18547.25 MK995 (official confirmed)1854 Iga–Ueno earthquake伊賀上野地震Iga Ueno JishinIga, Mie Prefecture (then Iga Province)According to the official confirmed report, 2,576 houses and buildings were damaged, with 995 human fatalities and 994 injures in the affected area.
December 23, 18548.4 MK2,000 (estimated)[33]1854 Tōkai earthquake安政東海地震Ansei Tōkai JishinSuruga Bay
December 24, 18548.4 MK10,000+1854 Nankai earthquake安政南海地震Ansei Nankai JishinNankai TroughOver 10,000 people from the Tōkai region down to Kyushu were killed.[34]
November 11, 18556.9 MK6,6411855 Edo earthquake安政江戸地震Ansei Edo JishinEdo, near the mouth of the Arakawa River
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Edo earthquake in 1855
April 9, 18587.0200–3001858 Hietsu earthquake飛越地震Hietsu JishinAtotsugawa Fault
March 18, 18727.1 MK551 (official confirmed)1872 Hamada earthquake浜田地震Hamada Jishinoff coast Hamada, Shimane PrefectureAccording to the official confirmed report, 4506 houses were damaged by the earthquake, 230 houses were burned, 551 people were killed, and landslides destroyed 6567 homes in the affected area. This quake occurred at 16:40 local time.
February 22, 18805.5–6.001880 Yokohama earthquake横浜地震Yokohama JishinYokohama CityThe damage was minor. However, the Seismological Society of Japan was established in response to the quake.[35]
July 28, 18896.3201889 Kumamoto earthquake熊本地震Kumamoto JishinTatsuda faultFirst major earthquake after the establishment of the Seismological Society of Japan in 1880.
October 28, 18918.0 ML7,2731891 Mino–Owari earthquake濃尾地震Nōbi JishinNeodani Fault
June 20, 18946.6 ML311894 Tokyo earthquake明治東京地震Meiji-Tokyo JishinTokyo BayThe death toll was 31 killed and 157 injured.
October 22, 18947.0 ML726 (Official confirmed)1894 Shōnai earthquake庄内地震Shōnai JishinSakata, Yamagata PrefectureAccording to the official confirmed report, 14,118 houses and buildings were damaged and 2,148 were burned. There were 726 human fatalities and 8,403 people injured in the damaged area. A large-scale fire broke out in Sakata, and around the Shonai plain area, many instances of cracked earth, sinking ground, sand boils, and fountains were observed.
June 15, 18968.5 ML22,000+[36]1896 Sanriku earthquake明治三陸地震Meiji Sanriku Jishin This quake occurred off the coast of Sanriku in Iwate Prefecture, which caused a tsunami of 25 m (82 ft) to strike 35 minutes after the quake, destroying hundreds of houses and killed over 22,000 people. Tsunami were also observed as far away as Hawaii and in California.[37][38]
September 1, 19238.3 ML 142,800[39]1923 Great Kantō earthquake大正関東地震
(関東大震災)
Taishō Kantō Jishin
(Kantō Daishinsai)
Izu Ōshima
May 23, 19256.8 ML4281925 North Tajima earthquake北但馬地震Kita Tajima JishinToyooka in Hyōgo Prefecture 35.6°N 134.8°E / 35.6; 134.8According to the Japanese government's official report, there were 428 human fatalities, 1,016 people injured, 7,863 buildings destroyed, and 45,659 houses damaged by collapse or fire. This quake caused extensive damage to the town of Toyooka and the Maruyama River area. Just before the shaking could be felt, a sound like a cannon was reportedly heard intermittently from the direction of the estuary near the Maruyama River. During the earthquake, the ground in the town of Tokyooka experienced strong seismic vibrations for 16 seconds. As most of the buildings of the time were wooden, many of them were destroyed at once during the initial earthquake. In the fire that broke out subsequently, half of Toyooka was burned down, with many deaths resulting (a reported 8% of the town's population.) 272 deaths were confirmed to have occurred in the Kinosaki area.
March 7, 19277.6 ML3,0201927 North Tango earthquake北丹後地震Kita Tango JishinTango Peninsula in Kyoto PrefectureAlmost all of the houses in Mineyama (now part of Kyōtango) were destroyed, and the quake was felt as far away as Tokyo and Kagoshima.[40]
November 26, 19307.3 Ms2721930 North Izu earthquake1930年北伊豆地震Sen-kyūhyaku-sanjū-nen Kita-Izu JishinIzu Peninsula
March 3, 19338.4 Mw[41]3,000+1933 Sanriku earthquake昭和三陸地震Shōwa Sanriku Jishin290 km (180 mi) east of the city of Kamaishi, Iwate
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Kamaishi Bay, Iwate after 1933 earthquake and tsunami
November 3, 19367.2 Ms01936 Miyagi earthquake1936年宮城県沖地震Sen-kyūhyaku-sanjūroku-nen Miyagi-ken-oki Jishinoffshore Miyagi
August 2, 19407.5 Mw101940 Shakotan earthquake1940積丹半島沖地震Sen-kyūhyaku-yonjū-nen Shakotan-oki Jishinoffshore Hokkaido
September 10, 19437.2 ML1,0831943 Tottori earthquake鳥取地震Tottori Jishinoffshore from Ketaka District
December 7, 19448.1 Mw1,2231944 Tōnankai earthquake昭和東南海地震Shōwa Tōnankai Jishin34.0°N 137.1°E / 34.0; 137.1This earthquake occurred on Dec. 7, 1944, at 13:35 local time (04:35 UTC). Its moment magnitude was 8.1 and it was felt with a maximum intensity of 5 on the Shindo scale (or VII, "Severe", on the Mercalli intensity scale). It struck the provinces along the coast of the Tōkai region, causing serious damage and triggering a tsunami. The earthquake and tsunami combined killed 1,223 people, with injuries reported to have affected 20,000 people or more.[42]
January 13, 19456.8 ML1,180 + 1,126 missing1945 Mikawa earthquake三河地震Mikawa JishinMikawa BayAn earthquake which occurred off Mie and Aichi prefectures, Japan at 03:38 on January 13, 1945.
December 20, 19468.1 Mw1,3621946 Nankai earthquake昭和南海地震Shōwa Nankai JishinNankai TroughA major earthquake in Nankaidō, Japan. Occurred on December 20, 1946, at 19:19 UTC. The earthquake was felt from Northern Honshū to Kyūshū.[43]
June 28, 19487.1 Mw3,7691948 Fukui earthquake福井地震Fukui Jishinnear Maruoka, Fukui 36.10°N 136.17°E / 36.10; 136.17A major earthquake in Fukui Prefecture, Japan. It struck at 5:13 p.m. on June 28, 1948 (the then Japan Daylight Saving Time; JDT).[44]
March 4, 19528.1 Mw281952 Hokkaido earthquake1952年十勝沖地震Sen-kyūhyaku-goūjūni-nen Tokachi-oki Jishin42.3°N 144.9°E / 42.3; 144.9The 1952 Hokkaido earthquake took place around March 4, 1952 in the sea east of Hokkaido. On the Moment magnitude scale, it measured 8.1. Casualties occurred due to the earthquake.[45]
August 19, 19617.081961 North Mino earthquake 北美濃地震Kitamino Jishin36°6′7″N 136°42′0″EOne of the earthquakes that the Japan Meteorological Agency named for the.[46] 8 people dead.[47]
June 16, 19647.6 Mw261964 Niigata earthquake新潟地震Niigata Jishin50 km north of NiigataThe earthquake caused widespread soil liquefaction in the city of Niigata, resulting in unusually high levels of damage to buildings for the felt intensity.[48]
April 1, 19687.5 Mw01968 Hyūga-nada earthquake1968年日向灘地震Sen-kyūhyaku-rokujūhachi-nen Hyūga-nada JishinHyūga-nada Sea [49]
May 16, 19688.2 Mw521968 Tokachi earthquake1968年十勝沖地震Sen-kyūhyaku-rokujūhachi-nen Tokachi-oki JishinOffshore of Misawa, JapanThis earthquake struck off the coast of Honshu Island, near Misawa Japan, Aomori Prefecture, and was followed by a significant tsunami. The earthquake and ensuing tsunami claimed 52 lives and resulted in significant material damage in Northern Japan.[50][51]
June 17, 19737.8 Mw01973 Nemuro earthquake1973根室半島沖地震Sen-kyūhyaku-nanajūsan-nen Nemurohantō-oki Jishinnear Nemuro Peninsula
May 9, 19746.5 Ms251974 Izu Peninsula earthquake1974年伊豆半島沖地震Sen-kyūhyaku-nanajūyo-nen Izu-hantō-oki Jishinnear Izu Peninsula
June 12, 19787.7 Ms281978 Miyagi earthquake宮城県沖地震Miyagi-ken-oki jishinjust offshore Miyagi PrefectureDamage was greatest around Sendai, and the earthquake triggered widespread landslides.[52][53]
May 26, 19837.8 Ms1041983 Sea of Japan earthquake日本海中部地震Nihonkai-chubu jishinoff coast 50 miles (80 kilometers)from Noshiro, Akita PrefectureRising up to 9.1 m (30 ft) above the coastline, the tsunami created by this earthquake was observed throughout a wide area along the Sea of Japan's coast and caused damage from Tsuruoka to Goshogawara. 100 people lost their lives to the tsunami, including seawall construction workers and beachgoers. In total, 104 people were killed. Soil liquification was widely observed through the affected area.
September 14, 19846.3 Ms291984 Nagano earthquake長野県西部地震Nagano-ken-seibu jishinMount Ontake, Otaki, Nagano PrefectureOverall, 29 people were killed and 10 injured.
December 17, 1987 6.7 Mw 2 1987 Chiba earthquake 千葉県東方沖地震 Chiba Toho-oki jishin 2 people killed and 146 injured.[54]
January 15, 1993 7.6 Mw 2 1993 Kushiro earthquake 釧路沖地震 Kushiro-Oki Jishin 43.000°N 143.691°E / 43.000; 143.691
July 12, 19937.7 Mw 2021993 Hokkaidō earthquake北海道南西沖地震Hokkaidō Nansei Oki Jishin42.851°N 139.197°E / 42.851; 139.197
December 28, 19947.7 Mw31994 offshore Sanriku earthquake三陸はるか沖地震Sanriku-haruka-oki Jishin40.451°N 143.491°E / 40.451; 143.491[55]
January 17, 19957.3 Mj6,434Great Hanshin earthquake兵庫県南部地震
(阪神・淡路大震災)
Hyōgoken Nanbu Jishin
(Hanshin-Awaji Daishinsai )
northern end of Awaji Island
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Damage in Kobe
An earthquake in Japan that occurred on Tuesday January 17, 1995 at 05:46 JST in the southern part of Hyōgo Prefecture. It measured Mw 6.8 on the Moment magnitude scale (USGS),[56] and Mj7.3 on the revised (7.2 on the old) JMA magnitude scale.[57] The tremors lasted for approximately 20 seconds. The hypocenter of the earthquake was located 16 km (9.9 mi) beneath its epicenter,[57] on the northern end of Awaji Island, 20 km (12 mi) away from the city of Kobe.
May 4, 19987.5 Mw01998 Ryukyu Islands earthquake石垣島南方沖地震Ishigakijima nanpō-oki jishin22.30°N 125.30°E / 22.30; 125.30The epicentre was in the Philippine Sea, far off the coast (260 km from Ishigaki Island, Japan, 400 km from Basco, Philippines, and 425 km from Hualien, Taiwan).[58]
March 24, 20016.7 Mw22001 Geiyo earthquake2001年芸予地震Nisen-ichi-nen Gēyo Jishin34.083°N 128.020°E / 34.083; 128.020
September 25, 20038.3 Mw12003 Tokachi earthquake2003年十勝沖地震Nisen-san-nen Tokachi-oki Jishin41.78°N 143.86°E / 41.78; 143.86An earthquake occurring in Hokkaido on September 25, 2003. It measured 8.3 on the Moment magnitude scale and caused extensive damage to roads all around Hokkaido, several power outages, and landslides which resulted in further damage.[59]
October 23, 20046.6 Mw682004 Chūetsu earthquake新潟県中越地震Chūetsu JishinOjiya, NiigataOccurred at 5:56 p.m. (local time) on Saturday, October 23, 2004. The initial earthquake caused noticeable shaking across almost half of Honshū, including parts of the Tohoku, Hokuriku, Chūbu, and Kantō regions.
March 20, 20057.0 Mw12005 Fukuoka earthquake福岡県西方沖地震Fukuoka-ken Seihō Oki JishinFukuoka PrefectureIn the Genkai Sea about 6 km (3.7 mi) northwest of Genkai Island at the mouth of Fukuoka HarborThis earthquake struck Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan at 10:53:40 JST on March 20 and lasted for approximately 50 seconds.
August 16, 20057.2 Mw02005 Miyagi earthquake宮城県沖地震Miyagi-ken Oki JishinMiyagi Prefectureabout 55 km (34 mi) due east of the Oshika Peninsula in Miyagi Prefecture
November 15, 20068.3 Mw02006 Kuril Islands earthquake2006年千島列島沖地震Nisen-roku-nen Chishima Rettō Oki JishinKuril Islands about 160 km (99 mi) due east of the southern tip of Simushir in the Kuril IslandsThe earthquake happened at 20:29 JST on November 15, 2006, causing a tsunami to hit the Japanese northern coast.
January 13, 20078.1 Mw02007 Kuril Islands earthquake2007年千島列島沖地震Nisen-nana-nen Chishima Rettō Oki Jishin46°28.8′N 154°04.48′EThe earthquake happened at 1:23 p.m. JST (04:23 UTC) and resulted in a tsunami warning but did not cause significant damage.[60] The epicentre was located 95 km to the south east of the 2006 Kuril Islands earthquake that struck a few weeks earlier.
March 25, 20076.9 Mw12007 Noto earthquake能登半島地震Noto Hantō JishinIshikawa Prefectureabout 11 km (6.8 mi) due west of the southern end of the town of Wajima
July 16, 20076.6 Mw112007 Chūetsu offshore earthquake新潟県中越沖地震Niigata-ken Chūetsu Oki JishinNiigata Prefectureabout 29 km (18 mi) west of NiigataThe earthquake[61]) was a powerful magnitude 6.6 earthquake[62][63] that occurred 10:13 a.m. local time (01:13 UTC) on July 16, 2007, in the northwest Niigata region of Japan.[62] Eleven deaths and at least 1,000 injuries have been reported, and 342 buildings were completely destroyed, mostly older wooden structures.[62][64][65]
June 14, 20086.9 Mw122008 Iwate–Miyagi Nairiku earthquake岩手・宮城内陸地震Iwate Miyagi Nairiku JishinIwate Prefectureabout 1 km (0.62 mi) east of Narusawa Onsen in northwest Iwate PrefectureThis earthquake struck the central Tōhoku region, in northeastern Honshū, Japan.[66]
August 11, 20096.6 Mw12009 Shizuoka earthquake駿河湾地震Suruga-wan Jishin33.8°N 138.50°E / 33.8; 138.50, depth 20.0 km[67]
February 26, 20107.0 Mw1Ryūkyū Islands earthquake沖縄本島近海地震Okinawa-hontō-kinkai Jishin25.902°N 128.417°E / 25.902; 128.417, depth 22.0 km[68]
December 21, 20107.4 Mw0Bonin Islands earthquake父島近海地震Chichijima-kinkai Jishin26.866°N 143.739°E / 26.866; 143.739, depth 14.9 km[69]
March 9, 20117.2 Mw02011 Tōhoku earthquake foreshock東北地方太平洋沖地震(Foreshock)
(東日本大震災)
Tōhokuchihō Taiheiyō Oki Jishin
(Higashi Nihon Dai-Shinsai)
38.424°N 142.836°E / 38.424; 142.836, depth 32 km [70]
March 11, 2011
05:46:23 UTC
(14:46 JST)
9.1 Mw 19,759 deaths,[71] (2,553 people missing[72])
2011 Tōhoku earthquake東北地方太平洋沖地震
(東日本大震災)
Tōhokuchihō Taiheiyō Oki Jishin
(Higashi Nihon Dai-Shinsai)
38.510°N 142.792°E / 38.510; 142.792, depth 29 km
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Damage in Sendai

This megathrust earthquake's hypocenter was reported to be off the Oshika Peninsula, the east coast of Tōhoku[73] It was the strongest to hit Japan and one of the top five largest earthquakes in the world since seismological record-keeping began.[74][75][76] It was followed by a tsunami with waves of up to 40 m (130 ft) along the Sanriku coast.[77] The disaster left thousands dead and inflicted extensive material damage to buildings and infrastructure that led to significant accidents at four major nuclear power stations.

March 11, 2011
06:25:50 UTC
7.1 Mw02011 Tōhoku earthquake aftershock東北地方太平洋沖地震(Aftershock)
(東日本大震災)
Tōhokuchihō Taiheiyō Oki Jishin
(Higashi Nihon Dai-Shinsai)
38.106°N 144.553°E / 38.106; 144.553, depth 19.7 km "Magnitude 7.1 - Off the East Coast of Honshu, JAPAN REGION". United States Geological Survey. Archived from the original on 2011-03-17. Retrieved 2011-03-12.
April 7, 2011
23:32:44 JST
7.1 Mw4April 2011 Miyagi earthquake宮城県沖地震Miyagi-ken Oki Jishin38.253°N 141.640°E / 38.253; 141.640, depth 49 km[78]
April 11, 2011
17:16:13 JST
6.6 Mw6April 2011 Fukushima earthquake福島県浜通り地震Fukushima-ken Hamadori Jishin37.007°N 140.477°E / 37.007; 140.477, depth 10 km"Magnitude 6.6 - East Honshu, JAPAN REGION". United States Geological Survey. 11 April 2011. Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-04-30.
July 10, 2011
10:57:12 JST
7.0 Mw02011 Tōhoku earthquake aftershock福島県浜通り地震Fukushima-ken Hamadori Jishin38.040°N 143.287°E / 38.040; 143.287, depth 49 kmQuake was centered c. 242 km SW of Hachijo-jima[79][80]
January 1, 2012
14:27:54 JST
6.8 Mw0Izu Islands, Japan鳥島近海地震Torishima-kinkai Jishin31.416°N 138.155°E / 31.416; 138.155, depth 348.5 km242 km (150 miles) SW of Hachijo-jima, Izu Islands, Japan 365 km (226 miles) S of Hamamatsu, Honshu, Japan
December 7, 2012
17:18:24 JST
7.3 Mw32012 Sanriku earthquake三陸沖地震Sanriku Oki Jishin37.700°N 144.600°E / 37.700; 144.600, depth 32.0 km293 km (182 miles) SE of Kamaishi, Japan
492 km (306 miles) ENE of Tokyo, Japan[81]
October 26, 2013
02:10:19 JST
7.1 Mw0Off the east coast of Honshu福島県沖地震Fukushima-ken oki jishin37.156°N 144.661°E / 37.156; 144.661, 35.0 km depth [82]
November 22, 2014

22:08:18 JST

6.2 Mw

6.7 MJMA

2014 Nagano earthquake 長野県地震 Nagano-ken jishin 36.641°N 137.888°E / 36.641; 137.888

9.0 km depth

The earthquake injured 41 people and affected the entire Chubu region. The quake also generated many surface ruptures, mostly near Hakuba Village.[83][84]
May 30, 2015
20:23:02 JST
7.8 Mw02015 Ogasawara earthquake小笠原諸島西方沖地震Ogasawara-shoto Seihō Oki Jishin27.831°N 140.493°E / 27.831; 140.493, depth 677.6 km189 km (117 mi) WNW of Chichijima, Japan[85]
April 14, 2016
21:26:39 JST
6.2 Mw92016 Kumamoto earthquakes平成28年(2016年)熊本地震Heisei-28-nen (2016-nen) Kumamoto jishindepth 10.0 km7 km (4.34 miles) SW of Ueki, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan[86]
April 16, 2016
01:25:06 JST
7.0 Mw2732016 Kumamoto earthquakes平成28年(2016年)熊本地震Heisei-28-nen (2016-nen) Kumamoto jishin32.791°N 130.754°E / 32.791; 130.754, depth 10.0 km1 km (0.62 miles) E of Kumamoto, Japan[87]
November 22, 2016
05:59:49 JST
6.9 Mw02016 Fukushima earthquake福島県沖地震Fukushima-ken oki jishin37.392°N 141.403°E / 37.392; 141.403, 11.4 km depth 37 km ESE of Namie, Fukushima[88]
June 18, 2018

07:58:35 JST

5.5 Mw 4 2018 Osaka earthquake 大阪府北部地震 Ōsaka-fu Hokubu Jishin 34.834°N 135.606°E / 34.834; 135.606, 13.2 km depth 2 km NNW of Hirakata, Osaka[89]
September 6, 2018

03:07:59 JST

6.6 Mw 41 2018 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi earthquake 北海道胆振東部地震 Hokkaido Iburi Tōbu Jishin 42.671°N 141.933°E / 42.671; 141.933, 33.4 km depth 27 km E of Tomakomai, Hokkaido, Japan[90]
June 19, 2019
22:22:19 JST
6.4 Mw 0 2019 Yamagata earthquake 山形県沖地震 Yamagata-ken Oki jishin 38.635°N 139.4543°E / 38.635; 139.4543, 16.1 km depth 33 km WSW of Tsuruoka
February 13, 2021
23:07:49 JST
7.1 Mw 1 2021 Fukushima earthquake 福島県沖地震 Fukushima-ken Oki Jishin 37.702°N 141.762°E / 37.702; 141.762 55 km depth 2 km ENE of Ishinomaki
March 20, 2021
18:09:45 JST
7.0 Mw 0 March 2021 Miyagi earthquake 宮城県沖地震 Miyagi-ken Oki Jishin 38.475°N 141.607°E / 38.475; 141.607

54 km depth

27 km ENE of Ishinomaki
October 7, 2021
22:41:24 JST
5.9 MW 0 2021 Chiba earthquake 千葉県北西部地震 Chiba-ken Hokuseibu Jishin 35.577°N 140.070°E / 35.577; 140.070

80 km depth

4 km SW of Chiba
March 16, 2022
23:36:30 JST
7.3 MW 4 2022 Fukushima earthquake 福島県沖地震 Fukushima-ken-Oki Jishin (Off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture) 37.702°N 141.587°E / 37.702; 141.587

63.1 km depth

57 km ENE of Namie
May 5, 2023
14:42:04 JST
6.2 Mw 1 2023 Noto earthquake 奥能登地震 Notohanto-Oki jishin (Off the Noto Peninsula Earthquake) 37.540°N 137.305°E / 37.540; 137.305

8.7 km depth

49 km NE of Anamizu
January 1, 2024
16:10:09 JST
7.5 Mw 401 2024 Noto earthquake 能登半島地震 Reiwa 6-nen Notohanto Jishin 37.498°N 137.242°E / 37.498; 137.242

10.0 km depth

42 km NE of Anamizu
August 8, 2024
16:42:55 JST
7.1 Mw 0 2024 Hyūga-nada earthquake 日向灘地震 Hyūga-nada Jishin 31.719°N 131.527°E / 31.719; 131.527

25.0 km depth

25 km NE of Nichinan
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Strongest earthquakes by prefecture (since 1900)

More information Prefecture, Date ...
Prefecture Date Magnitudes Intensities Casualties Article Citations
(Mw) (MJMA) MMI JMA
Aichi 12 January 1945 6.6 6.8 VII 7 1,180 dead, 3,866 injured, 1,126 missing 1945 Mikawa earthquake [91][92][93][94]
Akita 26 May 1983 7.8 7.7 VIII 5 104 dead, 324 injured 1983 Sea of Japan earthquake [95][96][97]
Aomori 9 March 1931 7.9 7.2 VII 4 - - [98][99]
Chiba 2 September 1923 7.9 7.3 VII 5 - 1923 Great Kantō earthquake (aftershock) [100][101]
Ehime 5 August 1968 6.8 6.6 VII 5 - - [102][103]
Fukui 28 June 1948 6.8 7.1 IX 7 3,769 dead, 22,203 injured 1948 Fukui earthquake [104][105][106][107][108]
Fukuoka 20 March 2005 6.6 7.0 VIII 6- 1 dead, 1,200 injured 2005 Fukuoka earthquake [109][110]
Fukushima 5 November 1938 7.8 7.5 VI 5 1 dead - [111][112][106]
Gifu 14 August 1909 6.9 N/A N/A 6 41 dead, 774 injured 1909 Anegawa earthquake [113][106][114]
Gunma 25 February 2013 5.8 6.3 VIII 5+ - - [115][116]
Hiroshima 24 March 2001 6.8 6.7 VIII 6- 2 dead, 288 injured 2001 Geiyo earthquake [117][118][119]
Hokkaido 25 September 2003 8.3 8.0 IX 6- 1 dead, 850 injured, 2 missing 2003 Tokachi earthquake [120][121][122]
Hyōgo 16 January 1995 6.9 7.3 XII 7 6,634 dead, 43,792 injured Great Hanshin earthquake [123][124][125][126][127]
Ibaraki 11 March 2011 7.9 7.6 VIII 6+ - 2011 Tōhoku earthquake (aftershock) [128][129]
Ishikawa 1 January 2024 7.5 7.6 XI 7 401 dead, 1,338 injured 2024 Noto earthquake [130][131][132]
Iwate 20 March 1960 8.0 7.2 VI 4 - - [133][134]
Kagawa 26 May 2005 4.8 4.7 N/A 3 - - [135][136]
Kagoshima 15 June 1911 7.9 8.1 VII N/A 12 dead 1911 Kikai Island earthquake [137][138][139]
Kanagawa 1 September 1923 8.0-8.2 7.9 XI 7 142,800 dead 1923 Great Kantō earthquake [140][141][142]
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See also

References

Further reading

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