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 devastating quakes capable of causing widespread destruction and displacing objects and people. Seismic activity in a region is defined by the frequency, type, and size of earthquakes experienced, while seismicity at a specific location reflects the average rate of seismic energy release per unit volume.

1900: Earthquake averages 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.

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: Location of the Earth's core by Beno Gutenberg in 1913

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

1931: Seismic stations in 1931

In 1931, there were about 350 seismic stations.

1935: Development of the Richter scale in 1935

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

1939: North Anatolian Fault earthquake in Turkey (1939)

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

1946: 1946 Vancouver Island

Canada had the highest area affected by landslides after China due to the 1988 Saguenay and 1946 Vancouver Island with 66,000 km.

1957: Alaska earthquake (1957)

In 1957, an earthquake occurred in Alaska.

May 1960: 1960 Chilean earthquake

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

1960: Chile earthquake (1960)

In 1960, an earthquake occurred in Chile.

1960: 1960 Valdivia earthquake in Chile

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

March 1964: Good Friday earthquake (Alaska)

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

1964: Alaska earthquake (1964)

In 1964, an earthquake occurred in Alaska.

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)

Stories about earthquakes generally begin with the disaster and focus on its immediate aftermath, as in The Ragged Edge (1968).

1970: 1970 Ancash earthquake landslide fatalities

Following China due to the 2008 Sichuan earthquake landslide fatalities, Peru (22%) had landslide fatalities due to the 1970 Ancash earthquake.

1972: Short Walk to Daylight (1972)

Stories about earthquakes generally begin with the disaster and focus on its immediate aftermath, as in Short Walk to Daylight (1972).

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1976: 1976 Tangshan earthquake

In 1976, the Tangshan earthquake occurred, causing between 240,000 and 655,000 deaths. It was the deadliest earthquake of the 20th century.

1977: Goodbye California (1977)

The most popular single earthquake in fiction is the hypothetical "Big One" expected of California's San Andreas Fault someday, as depicted in the novels Goodbye California (1977).

1980: 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens

In 1980, the eruption of Mount St. Helens was preceded by earthquakes that served as an early warning.

1988: 1988 Saguenay

Canada had the highest area affected by landslides after China due to the 1988 Saguenay and 1946 Vancouver Island with 66,000 km.

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)

The most popular single earthquake in fiction is the hypothetical "Big One" expected of California's San Andreas Fault someday, as depicted in the novels Richter 10 (1996).

1999: Aftershock: Earthquake in New York (1999)

Stories about earthquakes generally begin with the disaster and focus on its immediate aftermath, as in Aftershock: Earthquake in New York (1999).

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2001: 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 Alaska (2002)

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

2004: Sumatra earthquake (2004)

In 2004, an earthquake occurred in Sumatra.

2004: 2004 activity at Yellowstone National Park

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

2004: 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake

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

2005: 2005 Kashmir earthquake landslide fatalities

Following China due to the 2008 Sichuan earthquake landslide fatalities and Peru due to the 1970 Ancash earthquake, Pakistan (21%) had landslide fatalities due to the 2005 Kashmir earthquake.

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.

2009: 2012 (2009)

The most popular single earthquake in fiction is the hypothetical "Big One" expected of California's San Andreas Fault someday, as depicted in the novels 2012 (2009).

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2010: 2010 Haiti earthquake

As was observed after other disasters involving destruction and loss of life and their media depictions, recently observed in the 2010 Haiti earthquake, it is also believed to be 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.

2011: Analyzing gravitational records associated with the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake

Analyzing gravitational records associated with the 2011 Tohoku-Oki ("Fukushima") earthquake confirmed the ability to detect earthquakes via gravitational measurement.

2011: Japan earthquake (2011)

In 2011, an earthquake occurred in Japan.

2011: 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: August 2012 earthquake swarm in Southern California's Imperial Valley

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

2012: 2012 (2009)

The most popular single earthquake in fiction is the hypothetical "Big One" expected of California's San Andreas Fault someday, as depicted in the novels 2012 (2009).

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2015: San Andreas (2015)

The most popular single earthquake in fiction is the hypothetical "Big One" expected of California's San Andreas Fault someday, as depicted in the novels San Andreas (2015).

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