List of earthquakes in 1920

Earthquakes in 1920

Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1920 5.0−5.9 magnitude 6.0−6.9 magnitude 7.0−7.9 magnitude 8.0+ magnitude
Strongest magnitude	Ningxia Province, China December 16 (Magnitude 8.0)
Deadliest	Ningxia Province, China December 16 (Magnitude 8.0) 200,000 deaths
Total fatalities	203,255
Number by magnitude
9.0+	0
8.0−8.9	1
7.0−7.9	9
6.0−6.9	32
5.0−5.9	2
← 1919 1921 →

This is a list of earthquakes of magnitude not less than 6.0, or destructive, in 1920. Lower magnitude events are included if they have caused death, injury or damage. All dates are listed according to UTC time. 1920 was one of the deadliest years of the 20th century for earthquakes, with over 200,000 deaths being recorded in China, and substantial fatalities elsewhere.

Overall

By death toll

Rank	Death toll	Magnitude	Location	Depth (km)	Date
7000100000000000000♠1	7005200000000000000♠200,000	7000800000000000000♠8.0	Ningxia Province, China	7001250000000000000♠25.0	02015-12-16-0000December 16
7000200000000000000♠2	7003140000000000000♠1,400	7000580000000000000♠5.8	Emilia-Romagna, Italy	7001100000000000000♠10.0	02015-09-07-0000September 7
7000300000000000000♠3	7002648000000000000♠648	7000780000000000000♠7.8	Veracruz, Mexico	5000000000000000000♠0.0	02015-01-03-0000January 3
7000400000000000000♠4	7002600000000000000♠600	7000600000000000000♠6.0	Gjirokaster County, Albania	7001250000000000000♠25.0	02015-11-26-0000November 26
7000500000000000000♠5	7002400000000000000♠400	7000600000000000000♠6.0	Mendoza Province, Argentina	7001100000000000000♠10.0	02015-12-17-0000December 17
7000600000000000000♠6	7002101000000000000♠101	7000620000000000000♠6.2	Shida Kartli, Georgia	7001110000000000000♠11.0	02015-02-20-0000February 20
7000600000000000000♠6	7002101000000000000♠101	7000560000000099999♠5.6	Vlore County, Albania	5000000000000000000♠0.0	02015-12-18-0000December 18

• Note: At least 10 casualties

By magnitude

Rank	Magnitude	Death toll	Location	Depth (km)	Date
7000100000000000000♠1	7000800000000000000♠8.0	7005200000000000000♠200,000	Ningxia Province, China	7001250000000000000♠25.0	02015-12-16-0000December 16
7000200000000000000♠2	7000790000000000000♠7.9	7000500000000000000♠5	east of Taiwan	7001350000000000000♠35.0	02015-06-05-0000June 5
7000300000000000000♠3	7000780000000000000♠7.8	7002648000000000000♠648	Veracruz, Mexico	5000000000000000000♠0.0	02015-01-03-0000January 3
7000300000000000000♠3	7000780000000000000♠7.8	5000000000000000000♠0	Vanuatu	7001350000000000000♠35.0	02015-09-20-0000September 20
7000400000000000000♠4	7000760000000000000♠7.6	5000000000000000000♠0	south of New Britain, Papua New Guinea	7001350000000000000♠35.0	02015-02-02-0000February 2
7000500000000000000♠5	7000720000000000000♠7.2	5000000000000000000♠0	off the coast of Los Rios Region, Chile	7001350000000000000♠35.0	02015-12-10-0000December 10
7000600000000000000♠6	7000710000000000000♠7.1	5000000000000000000♠0	Sea of Okhotsk, Russia	7002355100000000000♠355.1	02015-02-22-0000February 22
7000600000000000000♠6	7000710000000000000♠7.1	5000000000000000000♠0	southern end of Urup Kuril Islands, Russia	7001350000000000000♠35.0	02015-10-18-0000October 18
7000700000000000000♠7	7000700000000000000♠7.0	5000000000000000000♠0	southern East Pacific Rise	7001150000000000000♠15.0	02015-03-20-0000March 20
7000700000000000000♠7	7000700000000000000♠7.0	5000000000000000000♠0	off the coast of Bio-Bio Region, Chile	7001150000000000000♠15.0	02015-08-20-0000August 20

• Note: At least 7.0 magnitude

Notable events

January - March

• A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Veracruz, Mexico on January 3 at an unknown depth. 648 deaths were reported, another 167 people were hurt and damage was caused.^[1]
• A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck the Volcano Islands, Japan on January 12 at a depth of 35.0km. ^[2]
• A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Cauca Department, Colombia on January 30 at a depth of 35.0km. ^[3]
• A magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck south of New Britain, Papua New Guinea on February 2 at a depth of 35.0 km.^[4] Some damage was caused in the area.^[5]
• A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck off the east coast of Honshu, Japan on February 7 at a depth of 35.0 km.^[6]
• An unusual magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck in the Indian Ocean to the southwest of Australia on February 8 at a depth of 35.0km. ^[7]
• A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck in the Mona Passage on the side nearer Puerto Rico on February 10 at a depth of 35.0km. ^[8]
• A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Shida Kartli, Georgia on February 20 at a depth of 11.0 km. At least 101 people were killed and many homes were damaged.^[9]
• A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Sea of Okhotsk, Russia on February 22 at a depth of 355.1 km.^[10]
• A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the southern East Pacific Rise on March 20 at a depth of 15.0 km.^[11]
• A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck off the northern end of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada on March 29 at a depth of 35.0km. ^[12]

April - June

• A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck the Kuril Islands, Russia on April 11 at a depth of 100.0 km.^[13]
• A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck Oaxaca, Mexico on April 19 at a depth of 35.0 km.^[14]
• A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Primorsky Krai, Russia on May 6 at a depth of 500.0 km.^[15]
• A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck the Banda Sea, Indonesia on May 10 at a depth of 370.0km. ^[16]
• A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck off the south coast of Honshu, Japan on May 12 at a depth of 150.0 km.^[17]
• A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck the Santa Cruz Islands, Solomon Islands on May 20 at a depth of 84.7 km.^[18]
• A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck the Java Sea, Indonesia on May 27 at a depth of 600.0km. ^[19]
• A magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck east of Taiwan on June 5 at a depth of 35.0km. ^[20] 5 people were killed, a further 20 injured and 273 homes were destroyed. This was one of the largest earthquakes to ever strike Taiwan. ^[21]

July - September

• A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck the central Mid-Atlantic Ridge on July 4 at a depth of 35.0km. ^[22]
• A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck southwestern Yukon Territory, Canada on July 7 at a depth of 35.0km. ^[23]
• A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck off the west coast of Costa Rica on July 16 at a depth of 35.0km. ^[24]
• A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck southeast of Mindanao, Philippines on August 3 at a depth of 345.2km. ^[25]
• A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck Catamarca Province, Argentina on August 3 at a depth of 35.0km. ^[26]
• A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Potosi Department, Bolivia on August 13 at a depth of 150.0km. ^[27]
• A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck the Santa Cruz Islands, Solomon Islands on August 15 at a depth of 35.0km. ^[28]
• A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck just off the coast of Bio-Bio Region, Chile on August 20 at a depth of 15.0km. Some homes were damaged or destroyed by the quake. ^[29]
• A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck the southern Atlantic Ocean on September 4 at a depth of 35.0km. ^[30]
• A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck Emilia-Romagna, Italy on September 7 at a depth of 10.0km. Conflicting figures about the death toll were evident with some sources saying that as many as 1,400 died whereas other reports suggested 171 deaths. ^[31]
• A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck southeast of Hokkaido, Japan on September 16 at a depth of 35.0km. ^[32]
• A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Vanuatu on September 20 at a depth of 35.0km. ^[33] A tsunami was generated which caused minor damage. ^[34]
• A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck south of Panama on September 24 at a depth of 35.0km. ^[35]

October - December

• A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck southern Xinjiang Province, China on October 12 at a depth of 35.0km. ^[36]
• A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the southern end of Urup, Kuril Islands, Russia on October 18 at a depth of 35.0km. ^[37]
• A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck the central Mid-Atlantic Ridge on November 12 at a depth of 35.0km. ^[38]
• An unusual magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck the Arctic Ocean just north of Canada on November 16 at a depth of 50.0km. ^[39]
• A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Gjirokaster County, Albania on November 26 at a depth of 25.0km. 600 deaths were reported in the area. ^[40]
• A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck south of South Africa on December 4 at a depth of 35.0km. ^[41]
• A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck the central Mid-Atlantic Ridge on December 5 at a depth of 35.0km. ^[42]
• A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck off the coast of Los Rios Region, Chile on December 10 at a depth of 35.0km. ^[43]
• A catastrophic magnitude 8.0 earthquake devastated Ningxia Province, China on December 16 at a depth of 25.0km. ^[44] Over 200,000 deaths were caused in numerous cities in the region. Landscape changes were observed with parts rising or slumping. Property damage was around $25 million (1920 rate). ^[45]
• A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Mendoza Province, Argentina on December 17 at a depth of 10.0km. 400 lives were lost and many homes were destroyed. ^[46]
• A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck Vlore County, Albania on December 18 at an unknown depth. At least 101 people were killed and many homes were destroyed. A tsunami was reported. ^[47] This was the second deadly earthquake in Albania within 3 weeks. Another point to note is that this was the 3rd day in a row with a deadly earthquake somewhere in the world.
• A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck off the east coast of Honshu, Japan on December 19 at a depth of 35.0km. ^[48]

References

1. ↑ "19200103 MEXICO". National Geophysical Data Center. May 27, 2014. Retrieved May 27, 2014. 
2. ↑ "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014. 
3. ↑ "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014. 
4. ↑ "M7.6 - New Britain region, Papua New Guinea". United States Geological Survey. May 27, 2014. Retrieved May 27, 2014. 
5. ↑ "19200202 PAPUA NEW GUINEA". National Geophysical Data Center. May 27, 2014. Retrieved May 27, 2014. 
6. ↑ "M6.7 - off the east coast of Honshu, Japan". United States Geological Survey. May 27, 2014. Retrieved May 27, 2014. 
7. ↑ "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014. 
8. ↑ "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014. 
9. ↑ "19200220 GEORGIA". National Geophysical Data Center. May 27, 2014. Retrieved May 27, 2014. 
10. ↑ "M7.1 - northwest of the Kuril Islands". United States Geological Survey. May 27, 2014. Retrieved May 27, 2014. 
11. ↑ "M7.0 - southern East Pacific Rise". United States Geological Survey. May 27, 2014. Retrieved May 27, 2014. 
12. ↑ "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014. 
13. ↑ "M6.9 - Kuril Islands". United States Geological Survey. May 27, 2014. Retrieved May 27, 2014. 
14. ↑ "M6.6 - Oaxaca, Mexico". United States Geological Survey. May 27, 2014. Retrieved May 27, 2014. 
15. ↑ "M6.5 - eastern Russia-northeastern China border region". United States Geological Survey. May 27, 2014. Retrieved May 27, 2014. 
16. ↑ "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014. 
17. ↑ "M6.6 - near the south coast of Honshu, Japan". United States Geological Survey. May 27, 2014. Retrieved May 27, 2014. 
18. ↑ "M6.6 - Santa Cruz Islands". United States Geological Survey. May 27, 2014. Retrieved May 27, 2014. 
19. ↑ "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014. 
20. ↑ "M7.9 - Taiwan region". United States Geological Survey. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014. 
21. ↑ "19200605 TAIWAN". National Geophysical Data Center. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014. 
22. ↑ "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014. 
23. ↑ "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014. 
24. ↑ "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014. 
25. ↑ "M6.6 - Philippine Islands region". United States Geological Survey. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014. 
26. ↑ "M6.6 - Catamarca, Argentina". United States Geological Survey. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014. 
27. ↑ "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014. 
28. ↑ "M6.6 - Santa Cruz Islands". United States Geological Survey. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014. 
29. ↑ "19200820 CHILE". National Geophysical Data Center. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014. 
30. ↑ "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014. 
31. ↑ "19200907 ITALY". National Geophysical Data Center. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014. 
32. ↑ "M6.5 - Hokkaido, Japan region". United States Geological Survey. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014. 
33. ↑ "M7.8 - Vanuatu". United States Geological Survey. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014. 
34. ↑ "19200920 NEW CALEDONIA". National Geophysical Data Center. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014. 
35. ↑ "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. May 29, 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2014. 
36. ↑ "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. May 29, 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2014. 
37. ↑ "M7.1 - Kuril Islands". United States Geological Survey. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014. 
38. ↑ "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. May 29, 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2014. 
39. ↑ "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. May 29, 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2014. 
40. ↑ "19201126 ALBANIA". National Geophysical Data Center. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014. 
41. ↑ "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. May 29, 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2014. 
42. ↑ "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. May 29, 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2014. 
43. ↑ "M7.2 - off the coast of Los Lagos, Chile". United States Geological Survey. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014. 
44. ↑ "M8.0 - Gansu-Ningxia border region, China". United States Geological Survey. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014. 
45. ↑ "19201216 CHINA". National Geophysical Data Center. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014. 
46. ↑ "19201217 ARGENTINA". National Geophysical Data Center. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014. 
47. ↑ "19201218 ALBANIA". National Geophysical Data Center. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014. 
48. ↑ "M6.8 - near the east coast of Honshu, Japan". United States Geological Survey. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014.