History of Earthquake in Timeline

An earthquake is the shaking of the Earth's surface caused by a sudden release of energy in the lithosphere, creating seismic waves. Earthquakes vary in intensity, from imperceptible tremors to devastating events capable of causing widespread destruction. Seismic activity is measured by the frequency, type, and size of earthquakes in a specific area, while seismicity refers to the average rate of seismic energy release per unit volume in a particular location.

1900: Average number of major earthquakes since 1900

Since 1900, 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: San Andreas Fault earthquake (1906)

In 1906, an earthquake occurred along the San Andreas Fault. It was one of the longest earthquake ruptures on strike-slip faults.

1906: 1906 San Francisco earthquake

More deaths in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake were caused by fire than by the earthquake itself.

1906: San Francisco earthquake in 1906

The memory of great cities laid waste, such as San Francisco in 1906, shapes the portrayal of earthquakes in modern popular culture.

1913: Earth's core located in 1913

In 1913, Beno Gutenberg located the Earth's core by analyzing seismograms.

1931: Number of seismic stations in 1931

In 1931, the number of seismic stations 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 in Turkey (1939)

In 1939, an earthquake occurred along the North Anatolian Fault in Turkey. It was one of the longest earthquake ruptures on strike-slip faults.

1946: 1946 Vancouver Island earthquake

In 1946, the Vancouver Island earthquake affected a large area by landslides.

1957: Earthquake in Alaska (1957)

In 1957, an earthquake occurred in Alaska. The earthquake's rupture length was one of the longest observed.

May 1960: 1960 Chilean earthquake

On May 22, 1960, the Chilean earthquake reached a magnitude of 9.5. The epicenter was near Cañete, Chile.

1960: Earthquake in Chile (1960)

In 1960, an earthquake occurred in Chile. The earthquake's rupture length was one of the longest observed.

1960: 1960 Valdivia earthquake in Chile

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

March 1964: Good Friday earthquake

On March 27, 1964, the Good Friday earthquake was centered in Prince William Sound, Alaska.

1964: Earthquake in Alaska (1964)

In 1964, an earthquake occurred in Alaska. The width of the rupture plane within the Earth's crust made this one of the most powerful earthquakes possible.

1964: 1964 Alaska earthquake and soil liquefaction

In 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 about the disaster and focus on its immediate aftermath.

1970: 1970 Ancash earthquake

In the 1970 Ancash earthquake, Peru had 22% of all landslide fatalities within the study.

1972: Short Walk to Daylight (1972)

Short Walk to Daylight, published in 1972, is about the disaster and focus on its immediate aftermath.

1976: 1976 Tangshan earthquake

In 1976, the Tangshan earthquake occurred, resulting in between 240,000 and 655,000 deaths, making it the deadliest earthquake of the 20th century.

1977: Goodbye California (1977)

Goodbye California, published in 1977, is about the hypothetical "Big One" expected of California's San Andreas Fault.

1980: 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens

In 1980, earthquakes served as an early warning of the volcanic eruptions of Mount St. Helens.

1988: 1988 Saguenay earthquake

In 1988, the Saguenay earthquake affected a large area by landslides.

1995: Kobe earthquake in 1995

The memory of great cities laid waste, such as Kobe in 1995, shapes the portrayal of earthquakes in modern popular culture.

1996: Richter 10 (1996)

Richter 10, published in 1996, is about the hypothetical "Big One" expected of California's San Andreas Fault.

1999: Aftershock: Earthquake in New York (1999)

Aftershock: Earthquake in New York, published in 1999, is about the disaster and focus on its immediate aftermath.

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 such earthquakes.

2002: Denali Fault earthquake in Alaska (2002)

In 2002, an earthquake occurred along the Denali Fault in Alaska. It was one of the longest earthquake ruptures on strike-slip faults.

2004: Earthquake in Sumatra (2004)

In 2004, an earthquake occurred in Sumatra. The earthquake's rupture length was one of the longest observed.

2004: 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake

In 2004, the Indian Ocean earthquake occurred and it is one of the deadliest earthquakes in history.

2004: 2004 Yellowstone National Park earthquake swarm

In 2004, there was an earthquake swarm activity at Yellowstone National Park.

2005: 2005 Kashmir earthquake

In the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, Pakistan had 21% of all landslide fatalities within the study.

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.

2009: 2012 (2009)

2012, published in 2009, is about the hypothetical "Big One" expected of California's San Andreas Fault.

2010: 2010 Haiti earthquake

It is important not to pathologize the reactions to loss and displacement or disruption of governmental administration and services, but rather to validate the reactions to support constructive problem-solving and reflection, as was observed after the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

2011: 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake

Gravitational records associated with the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake were analyzed to confirm that gravitational measurement could provide instantaneous detection of earthquakes.

2011: Earthquake in Japan (2011)

In 2011, an earthquake occurred in Japan. The width of the rupture plane within the Earth's crust made this one of the most powerful earthquakes possible.