History of Earthquake in Timeline

An earthquake is a sudden release of energy in the Earth's lithosphere, creating seismic waves and causing the ground to shake. These events vary in intensity, from minor tremors to devastating occurrences that can cause widespread destruction and displacement. The frequency, type, and magnitude of earthquakes in a region define its seismic activity. Seismicity refers to the average rate of seismic energy released per unit volume at a specific location.

1900: Earthquake averages

Since 1900, the USGS estimates that there have been an average of 18 major earthquakes (magnitude 7.0–7.9) and one great earthquake (magnitude 8.0 or greater) per year.

1906: 1906 San Francisco earthquake

In the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, more deaths were caused by the fire that followed than by the earthquake itself.

1906: San Andreas Fault earthquake (1906)

The San Andreas Fault earthquake in 1906 is an example of an earthquake rupture on a strike-slip fault.

1906: San Francisco earthquake in 1906

The San Francisco earthquake of 1906 is an example of a great city laid waste by an earthquake.

1913: Earth's core located in 1913 by Beno Gutenberg

By analyzing seismograms, the Earth's core was located in 1913 by Beno Gutenberg.

1931: Number of seismic stations increased to 350

In 1931, the number of seismic stations worldwide was about 350.

1935: Richter scale developed in 1935

In 1935, Charles Francis Richter developed the first scale for measuring earthquake magnitudes, known as the Richter scale.

1939: North Anatolian Fault earthquake (1939)

The North Anatolian Fault earthquake in Turkey in 1939 is an example of an earthquake rupture on a strike-slip fault.

1946: 1946 Vancouver Island earthquake

The 1946 Vancouver Island earthquake contributed to Canada having the second highest area affected by landslides.

1957: Earthquake in Alaska (1957)

The Alaska earthquake in 1957 is an example of an earthquake rupture that occurred in a subduction zone.

May 1960: 1960 Chilean earthquake

The 1960 Chilean earthquake is recorded as the largest earthquake to be measured by a seismograph. It reached a magnitude of 9.5 on May 22, 1960. The epicenter was near Cañete, Chile.

1960: 1960 Valdivia earthquake in Chile

In 1960, the Valdivia earthquake occurred in Chile. It was the largest earthquake ever recorded, with a magnitude of 9.5.

1960: Earthquake in Chile (1960)

The Chile earthquake in 1960 is an example of an earthquake rupture that occurred in a subduction zone.

March 1964: Good Friday earthquake (Alaska)

On March 27, 1964, the Good Friday earthquake occurred, which was centered in Prince William Sound, Alaska. The energy released was approximately half that of the 1960 Chilean earthquake.

1964: 1964 Alaska earthquake

During the 1964 Alaska earthquake, soil liquefaction caused many buildings to sink into the ground, eventually collapsing upon themselves.

1968: The Ragged Edge (1968)

The Ragged Edge, published in 1968, is a story about earthquakes generally begin with the disaster and focus on its immediate aftermath.

1970: 1970 Ancash earthquake

Due to the 1970 Ancash earthquake, Peru had 22% of all landslide fatalities within the study (total event deaths were higher).

1972: Short Walk to Daylight (1972)

Short Walk to Daylight, published in 1972, is a story about earthquakes generally begin with the disaster and focus on its immediate aftermath.

1976: 1976 Tangshan earthquake

The 1976 Tangshan earthquake was the deadliest earthquake of the 20th century, causing between 240,000 and 655,000 fatalities.

1977: Goodbye California (1977)

The hypothetical "Big One" expected of California's San Andreas Fault someday, as depicted in the novels Goodbye California, published in 1977.

1980: 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens

During the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, earthquakes served as an early warning sign of the volcanic activity.

1988: 1988 Saguenay earthquake

The 1988 Saguenay earthquake contributed to Canada having the second highest area affected by landslides.

1995: Kobe earthquake in 1995

The Kobe earthquake of 1995 is an example of a great city laid waste by an earthquake.

1996: Richter 10 (1996)

The hypothetical "Big One" expected of California's San Andreas Fault someday, as depicted in the novels Richter 10, published in 1996.

1999: Aftershock: Earthquake in New York (1999)

Aftershock: Earthquake in New York, released in 1999, is a story about earthquakes generally begin with the disaster and focus on its immediate aftermath.

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2001: 2001 Kunlun earthquake

The unusually wide zone of damage caused by the 2001 Kunlun earthquake has been attributed to the effects of the sonic boom developed in supershear earthquakes.

2002: Denali Fault earthquake (2002)

The Denali Fault earthquake in Alaska in 2002 is an example of an earthquake rupture on a strike-slip fault.

2004: 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake

In 2004, the Indian Ocean earthquake occurred. This earthquake is simultaneously one of the ten largest recorded earthquakes and also one of the deadliest in history.

2004: Earthquake in Sumatra (2004)

The Sumatra earthquake in 2004 is an example of an earthquake rupture that occurred in a subduction zone.

2004: 2004 activity at Yellowstone National Park

The earthquake swarm activity at Yellowstone National Park in 2004 is an example of earthquake swarms, where no single earthquake is the main shock.

2005: 2005 Kashmir earthquake

Due to the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, Pakistan had 21% of all landslide fatalities within the study (total event deaths were higher).

2008: 2008 Sichuan earthquake

A Columbia University paper suggested that the 8.0 magnitude 2008 Sichuan earthquake was induced by loading from the Zipingpu Dam, though the link has not been conclusively proved.

2009: 2012 (2009)

The hypothetical "Big One" expected of California's San Andreas Fault someday, as depicted in the movie 2012, released in 2009.

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2011: Gravitational measurement confirmed by analyzing gravitational records

Gravitational measurement confirmed in 2011 by analyzing gravitational records associated with the Tohoku-Oki ("Fukushima") earthquake.

2011: Japan earthquake (2011)

In 2011, an earthquake occurred in Japan, contributing to the understanding of how the shallow dip angle of the rupture plane along converging plate margins can lead to powerful earthquakes.