Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
This is a list of earthquakes in 1944 . 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. Activity was spread across the world during this year. The southwest Pacific Islands saw a good proportion of the earthquakes. Japan had the largest event of the year in December. Argentina and Turkey had the bulk of the deaths. The quake in Argentina in January was the worst in the country's history. New York State had its largest recorded earthquake in September causing some damage.
Overall
By death toll
Note : At least 10 casualties
By magnitude
Rank
Magnitude
Death toll
Location
MMI
Depth (km)
Date
1
8.1
1,223
Empire of Japan , off the south coast of Honshu
VIII (Severe )
15.0
December 7
= 2
7.6
2,381
Turkey , Cankiri Province
X (Extreme )
30.0
February 1
= 2
7.6
0
Empire of Japan , West Papua (province) , Dutch East Indies
VII (Very strong )
15.0
April 27
3
7.5
0
Empire of Japan , Lembata , Dutch East Indies
( )
156.6
March 22
4
7.3
0
Fiji
( )
632.7
May 25
= 5
7.2
0
Soviet Union , eastern Kamchatka Krai , Russia
VII (Very strong )
35.0
September 23
= 5
7.2
0
New Hebrides , Vanuatu
VI (Strong )
165.0
November 24
= 6
7.1
0
Australia , East Sepik Province , New Guinea
( )
114.4
January 7
= 6
7.1
0
, southeast of Maldives
( )
15.0
February 29
= 6
7.1
3
Republic of China (1912-1949) , northern Xinjiang Province
VIII (Severe )
10.0
March 9
= 6
7.1
0
Australia , north of New Ireland (island) , New Guinea
VI (Strong )
15.0
May 25
= 6
7.1
0
United States , Fox Islands , Alaska
( )
70.0
July 27
= 6
7.1
0
Empire of Japan , Santa Cruz Islands , Solomon Islands
VI (Strong )
35.0
November 16
= 7
7.0
8,000
Argentina San Juan Province, Argentina
VII (Very strong )
15.0
January 15
= 7
7.0
0
Peru , Puno Region
( )
183.1
February 29
= 7
7.0
0
Mexico , off the coast of Chiapas
VI (Strong )
25.0
June 28
= 7
7.0
0
Empire of Japan , Hokkaido
( )
75.0
October 2
= 7
7.0
0
France , southeast of Loyalty Islands , New Caledonia
( )
120.0
October 5
= 7
7.0
0
New Hebrides , Vanuatu
( )
180.0
November 29
Note : At least 7.0 magnitude
Notable events
January
January Strongest magnitude 7.1 Mw Australia Deadliest 7.0 Mw Argentina 8,000 deaths Total fatalities 8,000 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 2 6.0–6.9 2
February
February Strongest magnitude 7.6 Mw Turkey Deadliest 7.6 Mw Turkey 2,381 deaths Total fatalities 2,381 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 3 6.0–6.9 3
March
April
April Strongest magnitude 7.6 Mw Empire of Japan Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 3
May
May Strongest magnitude 7.3 Mw Fiji Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 2 6.0–6.9 2
June
June Strongest magnitude 7.0 Mw Mexico Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 2
July
July Strongest magnitude 7.1 Mw United States Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 3
August
August Strongest magnitude 6.9 Mw Empire of Japan 2 events Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 0 6.0–6.9 5
September
September Strongest magnitude 7.2 Mw Soviet Union Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 5 5.0–5.9 1
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
5 [ 50] [ 51] [ 52]
United States , northern New York State
5.5
12.0
VIII
The 1944 Cornwall-Massena earthquake caused $2 million (1944 rate) in property damage. This was the largest event in state history.
6 [ 53]
France , southeast of the Loyalty Islands , New Caledonia
6.5
120.0
6 [ 54]
Ethiopian Empire , Oromia Region
6.0
35.0
11 [ 55]
Empire of Japan , Molucca Sea , Dutch East Indies
6.6
15.0
14 [ 56]
Empire of Japan , south of Java , Dutch East Indies
6.8
35.0
23 [ 57] [ 58]
Soviet Union , eastern Kamchatka Krai , Russia
7.2
35.0
VII
27 [ 59] [ 60] [ 61]
Republic of China (1912-1949) , western Xinjiang Province
6.8
20.0
VII
Some homes were destroyed.
October
October Strongest magnitude 7.0 Mw 2 events Deadliest 6.8 Mw Turkey 30 deaths Total fatalities 30 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 2 6.0–6.9 8
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
2 [ 62]
Guatemala , Jutiapa Department
6.5
160.0
2 [ 63]
Empire of Japan , Hokkaido
7.0
75.0
5 [ 64]
Australia , east of New Ireland (island) , New Guinea
6.9
75.0
5 [ 65]
France , southeast of the Loyalty Islands , New Caledonia
7.0
120.0
6 [ 66] [ 67] [ 68]
Turkey , off the west coast of Balikesir Province
6.8
15.0
IX
AT least 30 people were killed and 5,500 homes were destroyed during the 1944 Gulf of Edremit–Ayvacik earthquake .
30
11 [ 69]
Samoa
6.8
15.0
14 [ 70] [ 71]
Empire of Japan , Halmahera , Dutch East Indies
6.6
15.0
VII
17 [ 72] [ 73]
Republic of China (1912-1949) , western Xizang
6.8
20.0
VII
23 [ 74] [ 75]
Ecuador , Esmeraldas Province
6.7
20.0
VII
29 [ 76] [ 77]
Republic of China (1912-1949) , western Xizang
6.5
20.0
VII
Aftershock of October 17 event.
November
November Strongest magnitude 7.2 Mw New Hebrides Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 3 6.0–6.9 2
December
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
4 [ 86]
Empire of Japan , Northern Mariana Islands
6.8
56.7
7 [ 87] [ 88] [ 89] [ 90]
Empire of Japan , off the south coast of Honshu
8.1
15.0
VII
Major destruction was caused by the 1944 Tōnankai earthquake . 1,223 deaths and 2,135 injuries were caused. 26,146 homes were destroyed. A tsunami contributed to the damage.
1,223
2,135
7 [ 91]
Empire of Japan , off the south coast of Honshu
6.5
0.0
Aftershock.
10 [ 92] [ 93]
New Hebrides , Vanuatu
6.6
15.0
VI
12 [ 94]
United States , Andreanof Islands , Alaska
6.5
35.0
12 [ 95]
Empire of Japan , off the south coast of Honshu
6.7
0.0
Aftershock.
19 [ 96] [ 97]
Republic of China (1912-1949) , Liaoning Province
6.6
35.0
VII
21 [ 98]
France , southeast of the Loyalty Islands , New Caledonia
6.5
100.0
22 [ 99] [ 100]
Chile , Antofagasta Region
6.5
45.3
VI
27 [ 101] [ 102]
Australia , south of New Britain , New Guinea
6.5
35.0
V
28 [ 103]
Australia , West New Britain Province , New Guinea
6.8
95.0
References
^ "M 6.6 - southern Sumatra, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey . January 5, 1944. Retrieved July 10, 2016 .
^ "M 6.6 - southern Sumatra, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey . January 5, 1944. Retrieved August 2, 2020 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . January 7, 1944. Retrieved July 10, 2016 .
^ "M 6.6 - Guerrero, Mexico" . United States Geological Survey . January 10, 1944. Retrieved July 10, 2016 .
^ "M 6.6 - Guerrero, Mexico" . United States Geological Survey . January 10, 1944. Retrieved August 2, 2020 .
^ "M 7.0 - San Juan, Argentina" . United States Geological Survey . January 15, 1944. Retrieved July 10, 2016 .
^ "M 7.0 - San Juan, Argentina" . United States Geological Survey . January 15, 1944. Retrieved August 2, 2020 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: ARGENTINA: SAN JUAN PROVINCE" . National Geophysical Data Center . January 15, 1944. Retrieved July 10, 2016 .
^ "M 7.6 - central Turkey" . United States Geological Survey . February 1, 1944. Retrieved July 10, 2016 .
^ "M 7.6 - central Turkey" . United States Geological Survey . February 1, 1944. Retrieved August 2, 2020 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: TURKEY" . National Geophysical Data Center . February 1, 1944. Retrieved July 10, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . February 1, 1944. Retrieved July 10, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . February 3, 1944. Retrieved July 10, 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 - Taiwan" . United States Geological Survey . February 5, 1944. Retrieved July 10, 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 - Taiwan" . United States Geological Survey . February 5, 1944. Retrieved August 2, 2020 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . February 29, 1944. Retrieved July 10, 2016 .
^ "M 7.1 - Maldive Islands region" . United States Geological Survey . February 29, 1944. Retrieved July 10, 2016 .
^ "M 6.9 - northern Xinjiang, China" . United States Geological Survey . March 9, 1944. Retrieved July 10, 2016 .
^ "M 6.9 - northern Xinjiang, China" . United States Geological Survey . March 9, 1944. Retrieved August 2, 2020 .
^ "M 7.1 - northern Xinjiang, China" . United States Geological Survey . March 9, 1944. Retrieved July 10, 2016 .
^ "M 7.1 - northern Xinjiang, China" . United States Geological Survey . March 9, 1944. Retrieved August 2, 2020 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: CHINA: XINJIANG PROVINCE" . National Geophysical Data Center . March 9, 1944. Retrieved July 10, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . March 22, 1944. Retrieved July 10, 2016 .
^ "M 6.4 - Banda Sea" . United States Geological Survey . March 31, 1944. Retrieved July 10, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . April 7, 1944. Retrieved July 10, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . April 23, 1944. Retrieved July 10, 2016 .
^ "M 6.8 - near the north coast of Papua, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey . April 26, 1944. Retrieved July 10, 2016 .
^ "M 6.8 - near the north coast of Papua, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey . April 26, 1944. Retrieved August 2, 2020 .
^ "M 7.6 - near the north coast of Papua, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey . April 27, 1944. Retrieved July 10, 2016 .
^ "M 7.6 - near the north coast of Papua, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey . April 27, 1944. Retrieved August 2, 2020 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . May 9, 1944. Retrieved July 10, 2016 .
^ "M 7.3 - Fiji region" . United States Geological Survey . May 25, 1944. Retrieved July 10, 2016 .
^ "M 7.1 - New Ireland region, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey . May 25, 1944. Retrieved July 10, 2016 .
^ "M 7.1 - New Ireland region, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey . May 25, 1944. Retrieved August 3, 2020 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . May 27, 1944. Retrieved July 10, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . June 8, 1944. Retrieved July 11, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . June 25, 1944. Retrieved July 11, 2016 .
^ "M 7.0 - offshore Chiapas, Mexico" . United States Geological Survey . June 28, 1944. Retrieved July 11, 2016 .
^ "M 7.0 - offshore Chiapas, Mexico" . United States Geological Survey . June 28, 1944. Retrieved August 3, 2020 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . July 10, 1944. Retrieved July 11, 2016 .
^ "M 6.1 - southern Idaho" . United States Geological Survey . July 12, 1944. Retrieved August 3, 2020 .
^ "M 6.1 - southern Idaho" . United States Geological Survey . July 12, 1944. Retrieved August 3, 2020 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . July 23, 1944. Retrieved July 11, 2016 .
^ "M 7.1 - Fox Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska" . United States Geological Survey . July 27, 1944. Retrieved August 3, 2020 .
^ "M 6.3 - Southern Alaska" . United States Geological Survey . August 14, 1944. Retrieved August 3, 2020 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . August 15, 1944. Retrieved July 11, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . August 18, 1944. Retrieved July 11, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . August 24, 1944. Retrieved July 11, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . August 30, 1944. Retrieved July 11, 2016 .
^ "M 5.5 - New York" . United States Geological Survey . September 5, 1944. Retrieved August 3, 2020 .
^ "M 5.5 - New York" . United States Geological Survey . September 5, 1944. Retrieved August 3, 2020 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: NEW YORK: MASSENA" . National Geophysical Data Center . September 5, 1944. Retrieved July 11, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . September 6, 1944. Retrieved July 11, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . September 6, 1944. Retrieved July 11, 2016 .
^ "M 6.6 - Molucca Sea" . United States Geological Survey . September 11, 1944. Retrieved July 11, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . September 14, 1944. Retrieved July 11, 2016 .
^ "M 7.2 - near the east coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia" . United States Geological Survey . September 23, 1944. Retrieved July 11, 2016 .
^ "M 7.2 - near the east coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia" . United States Geological Survey . September 23, 1944. Retrieved August 3, 2020 .
^ "M 6.8 - Tajikistan-Xinjiang border region" . United States Geological Survey . September 27, 1944. Retrieved July 11, 2016 .
^ "M 6.8 - Tajikistan-Xinjiang border region" . United States Geological Survey . September 27, 1944. Retrieved August 3, 2020 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: CHINA: XINJIANG" . National Geophysical Data Center . September 27, 1944. Retrieved July 11, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . October 2, 1944. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . October 2, 1944. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . October 5, 1944. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
^ "M 7.0 - southeast of the Loyalty Islands" . United States Geological Survey . October 5, 1944. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
^ "M 6.8 - near the coast of western Turkey" . United States Geological Survey . October 6, 1944. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
^ "M 6.8 - near the coast of western Turkey" . United States Geological Survey . October 6, 1944. Retrieved August 3, 2020 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: TURKEY: AYVALIK" . National Geophysical Data Center . October 6, 1944. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . October 11, 1944. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
^ "M 6.6 - Halmahera, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey . October 14, 1944. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
^ "M 6.6 - Halmahera, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey . October 14, 1944. Retrieved August 3, 2020 .
^ "M 6.8 - western Xizang" . United States Geological Survey . October 17, 1944. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
^ "M 6.8 - western Xizang" . United States Geological Survey . October 17, 1944. Retrieved August 3, 2020 .
^ "M 6.7 - near the coast of Ecuador" . United States Geological Survey . October 23, 1944. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
^ "M 6.7 - near the coast of Ecuador" . United States Geological Survey . October 23, 1944. Retrieved August 3, 2020 .
^ "M 6.5 - western Xizang" . United States Geological Survey . October 29, 1944. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 - western Xizang" . United States Geological Survey . October 29, 1944. Retrieved August 3, 2020 .
^ "M 6.8 - Kepulauan Talaud, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey . November 15, 1944. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
^ "M 6.8 - Kepulauan Talaud, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey . November 15, 1944. Retrieved August 3, 2020 .
^ "M 7.1 - Santa Cruz Islands" . United States Geological Survey . November 16, 1944. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
^ "M 7.1 - Santa Cruz Islands" . United States Geological Survey . November 16, 1944. Retrieved August 3, 2020 .
^ "M 7.2 - Vanuatu" . United States Geological Survey . November 24, 1944. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
^ "M 7.2 - Vanuatu" . United States Geological Survey . November 24, 1944. Retrieved August 3, 2020 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . November 29, 1944. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . November 30, 1944. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . December 4, 1944. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
^ "M 8.1 - near the south coast of western Honshu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . December 7, 1944. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
^ "M 8.1 - near the south coast of western Honshu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . December 7, 1944. Retrieved August 3, 2020 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: JAPAN: OFF SOUTHEAST COAST KII PENINSULA" . National Geophysical Data Center . December 7, 1944. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
^ "Tsunami Event: OFF SOUTHEAST COAST KII PENINSULA" . National Geophysical Data Center . December 7, 1944. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . December 7, 1944. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
^ "M 6.6 - Vanuatu" . United States Geological Survey . December 10, 1944. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
^ "M 6.6 - Vanuatu" . United States Geological Survey . December 10, 1944. Retrieved August 4, 2020 .
^ "M 6.5 - Andreanof Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska" . United States Geological Survey . December 12, 1944. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . December 12, 1944. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
^ "M 6.6 - China-North Korea border region" . United States Geological Survey . December 19, 1944. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
^ "M 6.6 - China-North Korea border region" . United States Geological Survey . December 19, 1944. Retrieved August 4, 2020 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . December 21, 1944. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 - Antofagasta, Chile" . United States Geological Survey . December 22, 1944. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 - Antofagasta, Chile" . United States Geological Survey . December 22, 1944. Retrieved August 4, 2020 .
^ "M 6.5 - New Britain region, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey . December 27, 1944. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 - New Britain region, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey . December 27, 1944. Retrieved August 4, 2020 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . December 28, 1944. Retrieved July 15, 2016 .
Earthquakes in the 1940s
1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1946
Valais (6.1, January 25)
Aleutian Islands (8.6, April 1) †
Varto–Hınıs (5.9, May 31) †
Vancouver Island (7.3, June 23)
Dominican Republic (8.1, Aug 4) ‡†
Sagaing (8.0, 7.8, Sep 12)
Kyrgyzstan (7.6, Nov 2)
Peru (6.8, Nov 10) †
Hsinhua (6.1, Dec 5) †
Nankai (8.1, Dec 21) †
1947 1948 1949 † indicates earthquake resulting in at least 30 deaths ‡ indicates the deadliest earthquake of the year