List of earthquakes in 1945
This is a list of earthquakes in 1945. 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 last year of World War II was dominated by two events which caused the vast bulk of the death toll. In January, over 2,300 were killed by a large magnitude 6.6 quake in Japan. In November, a magnitude 8.1 quake caused a devastating tsunami leading to 4,000 deaths in Pakistan. In terms of large events, most activity occurred in the western Pacific Ocean. Japan, Papua New Guinea, and the southwest Pacific Islands saw several events with a magnitude over 7.0.
Strongest magnitude | |
---|---|
Deadliest | |
Total fatalities | 6,337 |
Number by magnitude | |
9.0+ | 0 |
8.0−8.9 | 1 |
7.0−7.9 | 14 |
6.0−6.9 | 45 |
5.0−5.9 | 0 |
Overall
By death toll
Rank | Death toll | Magnitude | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 4,000 | 8.1 | X (Extreme) | 15.0 | November 27 | |
2 | 2,306 | 6.6 | VII (Very strong) | 10.0 | January 12 | |
3 | 17 | 6.2 | VIII (Severe) | 35.0 | September 23 |
- Note: At least 10 casualties
By magnitude
Rank | Magnitude | Death toll | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 8.1 | 4,000 | X (Extreme) | 15.0 | November 27 | |
2 | 7.8 | 0 | ( ) | 85.0 | December 28 | |
3 | 7.5 | 0 | ( ) | 20.0 | September 1 | |
= 4 | 7.2 | 0 | ( ) | 20.0 | February 1 | |
= 4 | 7.2 | 2 | VII (Very strong) | 58.7 | February 10 | |
= 4 | 7.2 | 0 | ( ) | 15.0 | February 26 | |
= 4 | 7.2 | 0 | ( ) | 50.0 | March 11 | |
= 5 | 7.1 | 0 | ( ) | 138.5 | July 15 | |
= 5 | 7.1 | 0 | ( ) | 91.9 | September 13 | |
= 6 | 7.0 | 0 | ( ) | 20.0 | February 1 | |
= 6 | 7.0 | 0 | VI (Strong) | 35.0 | April 15 | |
= 6 | 7.0 | 0 | ( ) | 80.0 | June 3 | |
= 6 | 7.0 | 0 | ( ) | 100.0 | June 22 | |
= 6 | 7.0 | 0 | ( ) | 50.0 | September 22 | |
= 6 | 7.0 | 0 | ( ) | 592.3 | November 26 |
- Note: At least 7.0 magnitude
Notable events
January
Strongest magnitude | 6.6 Mw |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.6 Mw 2,306 deaths |
Total fatalities | 2,306 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0−8.9 | 0 |
7.0−7.9 | 0 |
6.0−6.9 | 3 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1[1] | 6.5 | 35.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | ||||
12[2][3][4] | 6.6 | 10.0 | data-sort-value="7.0" class="nowrap"| VII | The 1945 Mikawa earthquake left 2,306 people dead and 896 injured. 7,221 homes were destroyed. | 2,306 | 896 | |
22[5] | 6.0 | 35.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| |
February
Strongest magnitude | 7.2 Mw 3 events |
---|---|
Deadliest | 7.2 Mw 2 deaths |
Total fatalities | 2 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0−8.9 | 0 |
7.0−7.9 | 4 |
6.0−6.9 | 2 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1[6] | 7.0 | 20.0 | rowspan="2"| Doublet earthquake. | ||||
1[7] | 7.2 | 20.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | ||||
10[8][9][10] | 7.2 | 58.7 | data-sort-value="7.0" class="nowrap"| VII | A tsunami was generated. 2 people were killed and 2 homes were destroyed. | 2 | ||
14[11][12] | 6.0 | 10.0 | data-sort-value="6.0" class="nowrap"| VI | ||||
18[13] | 6.4 | 22.5 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | Aftershock. | |||
26[14] | 7.2 | 15.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| |
March
Strongest magnitude | 7.2 Mw |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.0 Mw 5 deaths |
Total fatalities | 5 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0−8.9 | 0 |
7.0−7.9 | 1 |
6.0−6.9 | 3 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
11[15] | 6.8 | 100.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | ||||
11[16] | 7.2 | 50.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | ||||
17[17] | 6.8 | 15.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | ||||
18[18][19] | 6.0 | 35.0 | data-sort-value="9.0" class="nowrap"| IX | 5 people were killed and some damage was caused. | 5 |
April
Strongest magnitude | 7.0 Mw |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0−8.9 | 0 |
7.0−7.9 | 1 |
6.0−6.9 | 5 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
15[20][21] | 7.0 | 35.0 | data-sort-value="6.0" class="nowrap"| VI | ||||
15[22] | 6.8 | 35.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | Aftershock. | |||
19[23] | 6.5 | 35.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | ||||
21[24] | 6.5 | 100.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | ||||
22[25] | 6.8 | 565.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | ||||
23[26] | 6.8 | 160.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| |
May
Strongest magnitude | 6.8 Mw |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0−8.9 | 0 |
7.0−7.9 | 0 |
6.0−6.9 | 3 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
9[27] | 6.8 | 550.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | ||||
19[28][29] | 6.4 | 10.0 | data-sort-value="5.0" class="nowrap"| V | ||||
31[30] | 6.6 | 50.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| |
June
Strongest magnitude | 7.0 Mw 2 events |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0−8.9 | 0 |
7.0−7.9 | 2 |
6.0−6.9 | 3 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
3[31] | 7.0 | 80.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | ||||
4[32][33] | 6.4 | 15.0 | data-sort-value="7.0" class="nowrap"| VII | ||||
22[34] | 7.0 | 100.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | ||||
22[35][36] | 6.5 | 20.0 | data-sort-value="6.0" class="nowrap"| VI | ||||
27[37][38] | 6.7 | 10.0 | data-sort-value="6.0" class="nowrap"| VI |
July
Strongest magnitude | 7.1 Mw |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0−8.9 | 0 |
7.0−7.9 | 1 |
6.0−6.9 | 2 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
9[39] | 6.5 | 100.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | ||||
15[40] | 7.1 | 138.5 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | ||||
23[41][42] | 6.7 | 15.0 | data-sort-value="7.0" class="nowrap"| VII |
August
Strongest magnitude | 6.9 Mw |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0−8.9 | 0 |
7.0−7.9 | 0 |
6.0−6.9 | 7 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1[43][44] | 6.3 | 14.0 | data-sort-value="5.0" class="nowrap"| V | ||||
2[45] | 6.2 | 35.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | ||||
8[46] | 6.4 | 20.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | ||||
14[47] | 6.5 | 15.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | ||||
21[48] | 6.8 | 117.3 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | ||||
28[49] | 6.7 | 100.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | ||||
29[50][51] | 6.9 | 20.0 | data-sort-value="6.0" class="nowrap"| VI |
September
Strongest magnitude | 7.5 Mw |
---|---|
Deadliest | 6.2 Mw 17 deaths |
Total fatalities | 17 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0−8.9 | 0 |
7.0−7.9 | 3 |
6.0−6.9 | 6 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
1[52] | 7.5 | 20.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | ||||
2[53] | eastern Mediterranean Sea | 6.5 | 80.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | |||
5[54][55] | 6.6 | 45.0 | data-sort-value="6.0" class="nowrap"| VI | ||||
7[56] | 6.5 | 100.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | ||||
12[57][58] | 6.0 | 35.0 | data-sort-value="8.0" class="nowrap"| VIII | Some damage was caused. | |||
13[59] | 7.1 | 91.9 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | ||||
19[60] | 6.6 | 65.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | ||||
22[61] | 7.0 | 50.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | ||||
23[62][63] | 6.2 | 35.0 | data-sort-value="8.0" class="nowrap"| VIII | 17 people were killed and 30 were injured. Some homes were destroyed. | 17 | 30 |
October
Strongest magnitude | 6.8 Mw 2 events |
---|---|
Total fatalities | 0 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0−8.9 | 0 |
7.0−7.9 | 0 |
6.0−6.9 | 6 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
7[64] | 6.1 | 25.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | ||||
9[65][66] | 6.6 | 60.0 | data-sort-value="6.0" class="nowrap"| VI | ||||
11[67] | 6.5 | 90.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | ||||
16[68][69] | 6.5 | 55.0 | data-sort-value="6.0" class="nowrap"| VI | ||||
27[70] | 6.8 | 200.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | ||||
28[71] | 6.8 | 183.6 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| |
November
Strongest magnitude | 8.1 Mw |
---|---|
Deadliest | 8.1 Mw 4,000 deaths |
Total fatalities | 4,000 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0−8.9 | 1 |
7.0−7.9 | 1 |
6.0−6.9 | 1 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
3[72] | 6.8 | 50.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | ||||
26[73] | 7.0 | 592.3 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | ||||
27[74][75][76][77] | 8.1 | 15.0 | data-sort-value="10.0" class="nowrap"| X | The 1945 Balochistan earthquake caused over 4,000 deaths mainly due to a tsunami. $25 million (1945 rate) in property damage was reported. | 4,000 |
December
Strongest magnitude | 7.8 Mw |
---|---|
Deadliest | 0.0 Mw 7 deaths |
Total fatalities | 7 |
Number by magnitude | |
8.0−8.9 | 0 |
7.0−7.9 | 1 |
6.0−6.9 | 4 |
Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dead | Injured | ||||||
8[78][79] | 6.7 | 55.0 | data-sort-value="6.0" class="nowrap"| VI | ||||
9[80] | 6.0 | 100.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | ||||
21[81] | 0.0 | 0.0 | data-sort-value="8.0" class="nowrap"| VIII | 7 deaths were caused and some damage was caused. Magnitude and depth unknown. | 7 | ||
23[82] | 6.5 | 100.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| | ||||
27[83][84] | 6.7 | 55.0 | data-sort-value="6.0" class="nowrap"| VI | Foreshock. | |||
28[85] | 7.8 | 85.0 | data-sort-value="" class="nowrap"| |
References
- "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. January 1, 1945. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
- "M 6.6 - near the south coast of Honshu, Japan". United States Geological Survey. January 12, 1945. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
- "M 6.6 - near the south coast of Honshu, Japan". United States Geological Survey. January 12, 1945. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
- "Significant Earthquake: JAPAN: HONSHU: S". National Geophysical Data Center. January 12, 1945. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
- "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. January 22, 1945. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
- "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. February 1, 1945. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
- "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. February 1, 1945. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
- "M 7.2 - Hokkaido, Japan region". United States Geological Survey. February 10, 1945. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
- "M 7.2 - Hokkaido, Japan region". United States Geological Survey. February 10, 1945. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
- "Tsunami Event: SANRIKU". National Geophysical Data Center. February 10, 1945. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
- "M 6.0 - southern Idaho". United States Geological Survey. February 14, 1945. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
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- "M 7.5 - off the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand". United States Geological Survey. September 1, 1945. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
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- "M 6.1 - off the coast of El Salvador". United States Geological Survey. October 7, 1945. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
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