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. These events vary in intensity, from imperceptible tremors to catastrophic upheavals capable of causing widespread damage and displacement. Seismic activity measures the frequency, type, and magnitude of earthquakes in a given area over time, while seismicity quantifies the rate of seismic energy release per unit volume at a specific location.

1900: Earthquake averages since 1900

Since 1900, it has been estimated 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: San Andreas Fault earthquake

In 1906, the San Andreas Fault earthquake's rupture on strike-slip faults was about half to one third as long as the lengths along subducting plate margins.

1906: 1906 San Francisco earthquake

In the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, more deaths were caused by fire than by the earthquake itself, due to damaged power and gas lines and rupturing water mains.

1913: Location of the Earth's core

In 1913, Beno Gutenberg located the Earth's core through analysis of seismograms.

1931: Increased number of seismic stations

In 1931, the number of seismic stations was about 350, which has now increased to many thousands.

1935: Development of the Richter scale

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

1939: North Anatolian Fault earthquake in Turkey

In 1939, the North Anatolian Fault earthquake in Turkey's rupture on strike-slip faults was about half to one third as long as the lengths along subducting plate margins.

1946: Area affected by landslides in Canada

In 1988 Saguenay earthquake and the 1946 Vancouver Island earthquake, Canada had the second highest area affected by landslides with 66,000 km.

1957: Earthquake in Alaska

An earthquake occurred in Alaska in 1957 within a subduction zone, showcasing a rupture length of approximately 1,000 km.

May 1960: 1960 Chilean earthquake

On 22 May 1960, the Chilean earthquake, reaching 9.5 magnitude, became the largest earthquake ever measured on a seismograph. Its epicenter was near Cañete, Chile.

1960: Earthquake in Chile

An earthquake occurred in Chile in 1960 within a subduction zone, showcasing a rupture length of approximately 1,000 km.

1960: 1960 Valdivia earthquake in Chile

The 1960 Valdivia earthquake in Chile was the largest earthquake ever recorded, with a magnitude of 9.5. The earthquake resulted in ground shaking, soil liquefaction, and tsunamis, leading to significant damage and loss of life.

March 1964: Good Friday earthquake

In March 27 1964, the Good Friday earthquake centered in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Its energy released was approximately half of the most powerful earthquake, the 1960 Chilean earthquake.

1964: Earthquake in Alaska

In 1964, the earthquake in Alaska had a fault plane width within the top brittle crust of the Earth that could reach 50-100 km, making the most powerful earthquakes possible.

1964: 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 (1968)

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

1970: 1970 Ancash earthquake landslide fatalities

Due to the 1970 Ancash earthquake, Peru had 22% of all landslide fatalities within the study. The study group consisted of 162 earthquakes (from 1772 to 2021).

1972: Short Walk to Daylight (1972)

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

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1976: 1976 Tangshan earthquake

The 1976 Tangshan earthquake in China was one of the deadliest of the 20th century, causing between 240,000 and 655,000 deaths.

1977: Goodbye California (1977)

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

1980: 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens

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

1988: Area affected by landslides in Canada

In 1988 Saguenay earthquake and the 1946 Vancouver Island earthquake, Canada had the second highest area affected by landslides with 66,000 km.

1995: Kobe earthquake

The memory of the great city of Kobe laid waste in 1995 shapes the portrayal of earthquakes in modern popular culture.

1996: Richter 10 (1996)

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

1999: Aftershock: Earthquake in New York (1999)

Aftershock: Earthquake in New York, released in 1999, is a story about earthquakes that 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 in Alaska earthquake

In 2002, the Denali Fault in Alaska earthquake's rupture on strike-slip faults was 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 within a subduction zone, showcasing a rupture length of approximately 1,000 km.

2004: 2004 activity at Yellowstone National Park

An example of an earthquake swarm is the 2004 activity at Yellowstone National Park, where a series of earthquakes struck in a specific area within a short period.

2004: 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake

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

2005: 2005 Kashmir earthquake landslide fatalities

Due to the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, Pakistan had 21% of all landslide fatalities within the study. The study group consisted of 162 earthquakes (from 1772 to 2021).

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.

2008: 2008 Sichuan earthquake landslide fatalities

Due to the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, China had 42% of all landslide fatalities within the study. The study group consisted of 162 earthquakes (from 1772 to 2021).

2009: 2012 (2009)

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

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2010: 2010 Haiti earthquake

The media depictions of the 2010 Haiti earthquake highlighted the importance of not pathologizing reactions to loss, displacement, or disruption of governmental administration and services, but rather validating the reactions to support constructive problem-solving and reflection.

2011: Tohoku-Oki ("Fukushima") earthquake

In 2011, gravitational records associated with the Tohoku-Oki ("Fukushima") earthquake confirmed the use of gravitational measurement for instantaneous detection of earthquakes.

2011: Earthquake in Japan

In 2011, the earthquake in Japan had a fault plane width within the top brittle crust of the Earth that could reach 50-100 km, making the most powerful earthquakes possible.