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, generating seismic waves. Their intensity varies greatly, from imperceptible tremors to catastrophic events capable of causing widespread destruction. Seismic activity refers to the frequency, type, and size of earthquakes in a region over time, while seismicity indicates the average rate of seismic energy release per unit volume at a specific location.

1900: Earthquake average estimation

Since 1900, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimates that there has been an average of 18 major earthquakes per year.

1906: San Andreas Fault Earthquake

In 1906, there was an earthquake along the San Andreas Fault.

1913: Earth's core was located by Beno Gutenberg

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

1931: Increase in Seismic Stations

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

1935: Development of first earthquake magnitude scale

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

1939: Earthquake in Turkey

In 1939, there was an earthquake along the North Anatolian Fault in Turkey.

1946: Vancouver Island earthquake

In 1946, the Vancouver Island earthquake affected Canada.

1957: Earthquake in Alaska

In 1957, an earthquake occurred in Alaska in a subduction zone.

May 1960: Chilean earthquake measured on a seismograph

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

1960: Earthquake in Chile

In 1960, an earthquake occurred in Chile in a subduction zone.

March 1964: Good Friday earthquake

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

1964: Earthquake in Alaska

In 1964, an earthquake occurred in Alaska.

1964: Alaska earthquake

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 (1968) is a story about earthquakes.

1970: Ancash earthquake

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

1972: Short Walk to Daylight

Short Walk to Daylight (1972) is a story about earthquakes.

Loading Video...

1976: Tangshan earthquake

The 1976 Tangshan earthquake was the deadliest earthquake of the 20th century, resulting in the deaths of 240,000 to 655,000 people.

1977: Goodbye California

Goodbye California (1977) is a novel depicting the "Big One" expected of California's San Andreas Fault someday.

1980: Eruption of Mount St. Helens

In 1980, the eruption of Mount St. Helens occurred, and earthquakes served as an early warning.

1988: Saguenay earthquake

In 1988, the Saguenay earthquake affected Canada.

1995: Kobe earthquake

The 1995 Kobe earthquake is an example of great cities laid to waste.

1996: Richter 10

Richter 10 (1996) is a novel depicting the "Big One" expected of California's San Andreas Fault someday.

1999: Aftershock: Earthquake in New York

Aftershock: Earthquake in New York (1999) is a story about earthquakes.

Loading Video...

2001: Kunlun earthquake

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

2002: Denali Fault Earthquake in Alaska

In 2002, there was an earthquake along the Denali Fault in Alaska.

2004: Earthquake in Sumatra

In 2004, an earthquake occurred in Sumatra in a subduction zone.

2004: Earthquake swarm at Yellowstone National Park

In 2004, an earthquake swarm occurred at Yellowstone National Park.

2004: Indian Ocean earthquake

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

2005: Kashmir earthquake

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

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.