History of Earthquake in Timeline

An earthquake is a sudden shaking of the Earth's surface caused by a release of energy in the lithosphere, generating seismic waves. These events vary greatly in intensity, from imperceptible tremors to devastating upheavals capable of causing widespread destruction and displacement. Seismic activity refers to the frequency, type, and size of earthquakes in a given area, while seismicity describes the average rate of seismic energy release at a specific location. The impact of an earthquake can range from minor inconveniences to catastrophic damage to infrastructure and loss of life.

1900: Average of major earthquakes

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, according to the USGS.

1906: San Andreas Fault earthquake

In 1906, an earthquake occurred on the San Andreas Fault. The longest earthquake ruptures on strike-slip faults are about half to one third as long as the lengths along subducting plate margins.

1913: Location of the Earth's core

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

1931: Increase in seismic stations

The number of seismic stations increased from about 350 in 1931 to many thousands today, leading to more reported earthquakes due to vast improvement in instrumentation.

1935: Development of the Richter scale

In 1935, Charles Francis Richter developed the first scale for measuring earthquake magnitudes, which was a key feature for subsequent seismic magnitude scales.

1939: North Anatolian Fault earthquake

In 1939, an earthquake occurred on the North Anatolian Fault in Turkey. The longest earthquake ruptures on strike-slip faults are about half to one third as long as the lengths along subducting plate margins.

1946: Landslides in Canada

Canada was second to China with the highest area affected by landslides in the study group, including events like the 1946 Vancouver Island landslide.

1957: Earthquake in Alaska

An earthquake occurred in Alaska in 1957 in a subduction zone. The maximum observed lengths of ruptures and mapped faults are approximately 1,000 km.

May 1960: Chilean earthquake

The Chilean earthquake in May 1960 measured 9.5 on a seismograph. Its epicenter was near Cañete, Chile.

1960: Earthquake in Chile

An earthquake occurred in Chile in 1960 in a subduction zone. The maximum observed lengths of ruptures and mapped faults are approximately 1,000 km.

March 1964: Good Friday earthquake

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

1964: Earthquake in Alaska

An earthquake occurred in Alaska in 1964. Along converging plate margins, the dip angle of the rupture plane is very shallow, typically about 10 degrees.

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

The Ragged Edge, published in 1968, focuses on the immediate aftermath of an earthquake.

1970: Ancash earthquake's landslide fatalities

The 1970 Ancash earthquake led to Peru accounting for 22% of all landslide fatalities within the study group of 162 earthquakes.

1972: Short Walk to Daylight

Short Walk to Daylight, published in 1972, focuses on the immediate aftermath of an earthquake.

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1976: Tangshan earthquake in China

In 1976, the Tangshan earthquake in China resulted in over 300,000 fatalities, marking it as one of the most devastating seismic events in recorded history.

1977: Goodbye California

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

1980: Eruption of Mount St. Helens

The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens was foreshadowed by earthquakes in the volcanic region, caused by both tectonic faults and the movement of magma in volcanoes.

1988: Landslides in Canada

Canada was second to China with the highest area affected by landslides in the study group, including events like the 1988 Saguenay landslide.

1995: Kobe earthquake

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

1996: Richter 10

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

1999: Aftershock: Earthquake in New York

Aftershock: Earthquake in New York, released in 1999, focuses on the immediate aftermath of an earthquake.

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2001: Kunlun earthquake

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

2002: Denali Fault earthquake

In 2002, an earthquake occurred on the Denali Fault in Alaska. The longest earthquake ruptures on strike-slip faults are about half to one third as long as the lengths along subducting plate margins.

2004: Earthquake in Sumatra

An earthquake occurred in Sumatra in 2004 in a subduction zone. The maximum observed lengths of ruptures and mapped faults are approximately 1,000 km.

2004: Earthquake swarm at Yellowstone National Park

In 2004, an earthquake swarm occurred at Yellowstone National Park, characterized by a sequence of earthquakes striking in a specific area within a short period.

2004: Indian Ocean earthquake

The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake is one of the ten largest recorded earthquakes and also one of the deadliest earthquakes in history.

2005: Kashmir earthquake's landslide fatalities

The 2005 Kashmir earthquake led to Pakistan accounting for 21% of all landslide fatalities within the study group of 162 earthquakes.

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.

2008: Sichuan earthquake's landslide fatalities

Due to the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, China had 42% of all landslide fatalities within the study group (total event deaths were higher).

2009: 2012

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

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2011: Earthquake in Japan

An earthquake occurred in Japan in 2011. Along converging plate margins, the dip angle of the rupture plane is very shallow, typically about 10 degrees.

2011: Tohoku-Oki ("Fukushima") earthquake

Gravitational records associated with the 2011 Tohoku-Oki ("Fukushima") earthquake confirmed that gravitational measurement could provide instantaneous detection of earthquakes.

2011: Oklahoma earthquake

The 5.7 magnitude 2011 Oklahoma earthquake is thought to have been caused by disposing wastewater from oil production into injection wells.

August 2012: Earthquake swarm in Southern California's Imperial Valley

In August 2012, a swarm of earthquakes shook Southern California's Imperial Valley, marking the most recorded activity in the area since the 1970s.

2012: 2012

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

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2015: San Andreas

The hypothetical "Big One" expected of California's San Andreas Fault someday, is depicted in the movie San Andreas in 2015.

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2016: Gravitational measurement for earthquake detection

In 2016, scientists realized that gravitational measurement could provide instantaneous detection of earthquakes, confirming this by analyzing gravitational records.