Earthquakes in 1917
List of earthquakes in 1917 is located in Earth
List of earthquakes in 1917
List of earthquakes in 1917
List of earthquakes in 1917
List of earthquakes in 1917
List of earthquakes in 1917
List of earthquakes in 1917
List of earthquakes in 1917
List of earthquakes in 1917
List of earthquakes in 1917
List of earthquakes in 1917
List of earthquakes in 1917
List of earthquakes in 1917
List of earthquakes in 1917
List of earthquakes in 1917
List of earthquakes in 1917
List of earthquakes in 1917
List of earthquakes in 1917
List of earthquakes in 1917
List of earthquakes in 1917
List of earthquakes in 1917
List of earthquakes in 1917
List of earthquakes in 1917
List of earthquakes in 1917
List of earthquakes in 1917
List of earthquakes in 1917
List of earthquakes in 1917
List of earthquakes in 1917
List of earthquakes in 1917
List of earthquakes in 1917
List of earthquakes in 1917
List of earthquakes in 1917
Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1917
Strongest magnitude Western Samoa Trust Territory, Samoa June 26 (Magnitude 8.5)
Deadliest Guatemala, Guatemala Department December 26 (Magnitude 6.0) 2,650 deaths
Total fatalities6,221
Number by magnitude
9.0+0
← 1916
1918 →

This is a list of earthquakes in 1917. 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. This year was marked by many earthquakes which caused deaths or damage across a number of countries.

Overall

By death toll

Rank Death toll Magnitude Location MMI Depth (km) Date
1 2,650 6.0  Guatemala, Guatemala Department ( ) 0.0 December 26
2 1,800 6.9  China, Sichuan Province IX (Violent) 15.0 July 30
3 1,500 6.6  Dutch East Indies, Kangean Islands IX (Violent) 0.0 January 20
= 4 101 6.3  China, Anhui Province VIII (Severe) 20.0 January 24
= 4 101 6.7  El Salvador, La Libertad Department, El Salvador ( ) 0.0 June 8
5 54 6.5 Taiwan, off south coast of Pingtung County ( ) 0.0 January 4

By magnitude

Rank Magnitude Death toll Location MMI Depth (km) Date
1 8.5 2 Western Samoa Trust Territory, southwest of Samoa ( ) 15.0 June 26
2 8.2 0  New Zealand, Kermadec Islands ( ) 15.0 May 1
3 8.0 0  Russia, off the east coast of Kamchatka ( ) 20.0 January 30
= 4 7.5 0  New Zealand, Kermadec Islands ( ) 35.0 November 16
= 4 7.5 0  New Guinea, Sandaun Province ( ) 35.0 July 29
= 5 7.4 0  United States, south of the Alaska Peninsula V (Moderate) 35.0 May 31
= 5 7.4 0 Sea of Japan ( ) 500.0 July 31
= 6 7.3 0  Dutch East Indies, Barat Daya Islands ( ) 100.0 August 30
= 7 7.2 0  Cuba, south of ( ) 0.0 February 20
= 7 7.2 0 Taiwan, northeast of ( ) 0.0 July 4
= 8 7.1 0  Afghanistan, Badakhshan Province ( ) 220.0 April 21
= 8 7.1 6  Colombia, Meta Department VIII (Severe) 0.0 August 31
= 8 7.1 0  Dutch East Indies, northern Sumatra ( ) 0.0 November 4
= 9 7.0 0 Taiwan, northeast of ( ) 0.0 July 4
= 9 7.0 0  Japan, off east coast of Honshu ( ) 0.0 July 29

Notable events

January

January
Strongest magnitude8.0 Mw  Russia
Deadliest6.6 Mw  Dutch East Indies
1,500 deaths
Total fatalities1,662+
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.91
7.0–7.90
6.0–6.96
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

4[1][2] Taiwan, off the south coast of Pingtung County 6.5 0.0 54 people were killed and 85 were injured. 136 homes were destroyed. Part of the 1916-17 Nantou earthquakes. Depth unknown. 54 85
6[3] Taiwan, off the southeast coast of Pingtung County 6.5 0.0 Depth unknown.
20[4]  Dutch East Indies, Kangean Islands 6.6 0.0 IX The 1917 Bali earthquake caused 1,500 deaths. Landslides resulted in the destruction of many homes. Depth unknown. 1,500
24[5][6]  China, Anhui Province 6.3 20.0 VIII At least 101 deaths were caused. Many homes were destroyed. 101+
25[7][8]  China, off the coast of Fujian Province 6.5 0.0 A tsunami was generated which damaged some fishing boats.
30[9]  Russia, Kamchatka 8.0 20.0
31[10] Philippines, Mindanao 6.4 0.0 IX A landslide caused 7 deaths. 2 people were injured. Some homes were destroyed. A tsunami was reported. Depth unknown. 7 2

February

February
Strongest magnitude7.2 Mw  Cuba
Total fatalities0
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.90
7.0–7.91
6.0–6.91
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

15[11]  Chile, off the coast of Coquimbo Region 6.8 0.0 Depth unknown.
20[12]  Cuba, south of 7.2 0.0 Depth unknown.

March

March
Strongest magnitude6.9 Mw  Japan
Total fatalities0
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.90
7.0–7.90
6.0–6.91
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

15[13]  Japan, off the east coast of Honshu 6.9 0.0 Depth unknown.

April

April
Strongest magnitude7.1 Mw  Afghanistan
Total fatalities0
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.90
7.0–7.91
6.0–6.91
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

21[14]  Afghanistan, Badakhshan Province 7.1 220.0
29[15]  Russia, Buryatia 6.5 10.0

May

May
Strongest magnitude8.2 Mw  New Zealand
Total fatalities0
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.91
7.0–7.91
6.0–6.90
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

1[16]  New Zealand, Kermadec Islands 8.2 15.0
31[17][18]  United States, south of the Alaska Peninsula 7.4 35.0 V

June

June
Strongest magnitude8.5 Mw Western Samoa Trust Territory
Deadliest6.7 Mw  El Salvador
101 deaths
Total fatalities103+
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.91
7.0–7.90
6.0–6.92
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

8[19]  El Salvador, La Libertad Department (El Salvador) 6.7 0.0 At least 101 people were killed and major damage was caused by the 1917 San Salvador earthquake. Many homes were destroyed. Depth unknown. 101+
24[20]  Tonga 6.6 60.0
26[21][22][23] Western Samoa Trust Territory 8.5 15.0 A tsunami was triggered by the 1917 Samoa earthquake. 2 people were killed. Many homes were destroyed. The earthquake caused some damage in its own right. 2

July

July
Strongest magnitude7.4 Mw 2 events
Deadliest6.9 Mw  China
1,800 deaths
Total fatalities1,800
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.90
7.0–7.95
6.0–6.92
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

4[24] Taiwan, northeast of 7.2 0.0 Depth unknown.
4[25] Taiwan, northeast of 7.0 0.0 Aftershock. Depth unknown.
27[26]  Argentina, San Juan Province, Argentina 6.9 60.0
29[27]  Japan, off the east coast of Honshu 7.0 0.0 Depth unknown.
29[28]  New Guinea, Sandaun Province 7.5 35.0
30[29][30]  China, Sichuan Province 6.9 15.0 IX 1,800 people were killed. Major destruction was caused in the area. Many homes were destroyed. 1,800
31[31] Sea of Japan 7.4 500.0

August

August
Strongest magnitude7.3 Mw  Dutch East Indies
Deadliest7.1 Mw  Colombia
6 deaths
Total fatalities6
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.90
7.0–7.92
6.0–6.91
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

5[32]  New Zealand, off the southeast coast of North Island 6.6 15.0
30[33]  Dutch East Indies, Barat Daya Islands 7.3 100.0
31[34][35]  Colombia, Meta Department 7.1 0.0 VIII 6 people were killed and 51 were injured. A few homes were destroyed. Depth unknown. 6 51+

November

November
Strongest magnitude7.5 Mw  New Zealand
Total fatalities0
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.90
7.0–7.92
6.0–6.90
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

4[36]  Dutch East Indies, northern Sumatra 7.1 0.0 Depth unknown.
16[37]  New Zealand, Kermadec Islands 7.5 35.0 Depth unknown.

December

December
Strongest magnitude6.9 Mw  Mexico
Total fatalities2,650
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.90
7.0–7.90
6.0–6.92
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

26[38]  Guatemala, Guatemala Department 6.0 0.0 Further destructive events took place into January 1918. In total the series caused 2,650 deaths. Major damage was caused with Guatemala City being hardest hit. Depth unknown. 2,650
29[39]  Mexico, off the coast of Oaxaca 6.9 20.0

References

  1. ^ "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. January 4, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  2. ^ "Significant Earthquake: TAIWAN: PULI". National Geophysical Data Center. January 4, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  3. ^ "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. January 6, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  4. ^ "Significant Earthquake: INDONESIA: BALI". National Geophysical Data Center. January 20, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  5. ^ "M 6.3 - Anhui, China". United States Geological Survey. January 24, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  6. ^ "Significant Earthquake: CHINA: ANHUI PROVINCE:". National Geophysical Data Center. January 24, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  7. ^ "Significant Earthquake: CHINA: FUJIAN PROVINCE: OFF COAST". National Geophysical Data Center. January 25, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  8. ^ "Tsunami Event: SOUTH CHINA SEA". National Geophysical Data Center. January 25, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  9. ^ "M 8.0 - near the east coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia". United States Geological Survey. January 30, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  10. ^ "Significant Earthquake: PHILIPPINES: S MINDANAO: GLAN,GLAN PADIDU,TUYAN". National Geophysical Data Center. January 31, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  11. ^ "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. February 15, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  12. ^ "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. February 20, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  13. ^ "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. March 15, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  14. ^ "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. April 21, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  15. ^ "M 6.5 - Buryatiya, Russia". United States Geological Survey. April 29, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  16. ^ "M 8.2 - Kermadec Islands region". United States Geological Survey. May 1, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  17. ^ "M 7.4 - south of Alaska". United States Geological Survey. May 31, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  18. ^ "Significant Earthquake: ALASKA: ALASKA PENINSULA". National Geophysical Data Center. May 31, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  19. ^ "Significant Earthquake: EL SALVADOR: SAN SALVADOR". National Geophysical Data Center. June 8, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  20. ^ "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. June 24, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  21. ^ "M 8.0 - Samoa Islands region". United States Geological Survey. June 26, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  22. ^ "Significant Earthquake: SAMOA ISLANDS". National Geophysical Data Center. June 26, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  23. ^ "Tsunami Event: SAMOA ISLANDS". National Geophysical Data Center. June 26, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  24. ^ "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. July 4, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  25. ^ "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. July 4, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  26. ^ "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. July 27, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  27. ^ "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. July 29, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  28. ^ "M 7.5 - New Guinea, Papua New Guinea". United States Geological Survey. July 29, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  29. ^ "M 6.9 - eastern Sichuan, China". United States Geological Survey. July 30, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  30. ^ "Significant Earthquake: CHINA: YUNNAN PROVINCE". National Geophysical Data Center. July 30, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  31. ^ "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. July 31, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  32. ^ "M 6.6 - off the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand". United States Geological Survey. August 5, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  33. ^ "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. August 30, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  34. ^ "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. August 31, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  35. ^ "Significant Earthquake: COLOMBIA: BOGOTA, UBAQUE, SOACHA, CAQUEZA". National Geophysical Data Center. August 31, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  36. ^ "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. November 4, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  37. ^ "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. November 16, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  38. ^ "Significant Earthquake: GUATEMALA: GUATEMALA CITY". National Geophysical Data Center. December 26, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  39. ^ "M 6.9 - offshore Oaxaca, Mexico". United States Geological Survey. December 29, 1917. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
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