List of earthquakes in 1920

This is a list of earthquakes in 1920. Only magnitude 6.0 or greater earthquakes appear on the list. Lower magnitude events are included if they have caused death, injury or damage. Events which occurred in remote areas will be excluded from the list as they wouldn't have generated significant media interest. All dates are listed according to UTC time. With over 200,000 deaths being recorded in China, and substantial fatalities elsewhere, 1920 was one of the deadliest years of the 20th century for earthquakes.

Earthquakes in 1920
Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1920
Strongest magnitudeChina Ningxia Province 16 December (Magnitude 8.3)
DeadliestChina Ningxia Province 16 December (Magnitude 8.3) 242,029 deaths
Total fatalities244,884
Number by magnitude
9.0+0
8.0−8.93
7.0−7.97
6.0−6.929
5.0−5.92
← 1919
1921 →

Overall

By death toll
Rank Death toll Magnitude Location MMI Depth (km) Date
1 242,029 8.3 China, Ningxia Province XII (Extreme) 15.0 16 December
2 1,400 5.8 Italy, Emilia-Romagna X (Extreme) 10.0 7 September
3 648 7.8 Mexico, Veracruz X (Extreme) 0.0 3 January
4 400 6.0 Argentina, Mendoza Province VIII (Severe) 10.0 17 December
5 200 6.2 Albania, Gjirokaster County XI (Extreme) 25.0 26 November
= 6 101 6.2 Georgia, Shida Kartli ( ) 11.0 20 February
= 6 101 5.6 Albania, Vlore County IX (Violent) 0.0 18 December
  • Note: At least 10 casualties

By magnitude
Rank Magnitude Death toll Location MMI Depth (km) Date
1 8.3 242,029 China, Ningxia Province XII (Extreme) 15.0 16 December
2 8.2 5 Taiwan, east of ( ) 20.0 5 June
3 8.1 0 France, Loyalty Islands ( ) 25.0 20 September
= 4 7.8 648 Mexico, Veracruz X (Extreme) 0.0 3 January
= 4 7.8 0 Papua New Guinea, East New Britain Province ( ) 35.0 2 February
5 7.3 0 Argentina, Neuquen Province ( ) 15.0 10 December
= 6 7.1 0 Russia, Sea of Okhotsk ( ) 355.1 22 February
= 6 7.1 0 Russia, southern end of Urup, Kuril Islands ( ) 35.0 18 October
= 7 7.0 0 southern East Pacific Rise ( ) 10.0 20 March
= 7 7.0 0 Papua New Guinea, off the north coast of ( ) 25.0 13 May
  • Note: At least 7.0 magnitude

Notable events

January
January
Strongest magnitude7.8 Mw Mexico
Deadliest7.8 Mw Mexico
648 deaths
Total fatalities648
Number by magnitude
8.0−8.90
7.0−7.91
6.0−6.91
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

3[1]Mexico, Veracruz7.80.0X The 1920 Xalapa earthquake left 648 people were killed and another 167 were injured. Damage was caused. Depth unknown.648167
30[2]Colombia, Cauca Department6.035.0

February
February
Strongest magnitude7.8 Mw Papua New Guinea
Deadliest6.2 Mw Georgia
101+ deaths
Total fatalities101+
Number by magnitude
8.0−8.90
7.0−7.92
6.0−6.93
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

2[3][4]Papua New Guinea, East New Britain Province7.835.0 A few homes were destroyed.
7[5]Japan, off the east coast of Honshu6.735.0
10[6]United States, northwest of Puerto Rico6.415.0
20[7]DR Georgia, Shida Kartli6.211.0 At least 101 people were killed and many homes were damaged due to the 1920 Gori earthquake.101+
22[8]Russia, Sea of Okhotsk7.1355.1

March
March
Strongest magnitude7.0 Mw southern East Pacific Rise
Total fatalities0
Number by magnitude
8.0−8.90
7.0−7.91
6.0−6.92
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

17[9] Dutch East Indies, off the west coast of northern Sumatra6.315.0
20[10]southern East Pacific Rise7.010.0
29[11]Canada, western British Columbia6.415.0

April
April
Strongest magnitude6.6 Mw Mexico
Total fatalities0
Number by magnitude
8.0−8.90
7.0−7.90
6.0−6.93
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

2[12]Papua New Guinea, Oro Province6.315.0
11[13] Russian SFSR, Kuril Islands6.315.0
19[14]Mexico, Oaxaca6.635.0

May
May
Strongest magnitude7.0 Mw Papua New Guinea
Total fatalities0
Number by magnitude
8.0−8.90
7.0−7.91
6.0−6.97
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

6[15] Russian SFSR, Primorsky Krai6.5500.0
7[16]Philippines, east of Mindanao6.835.0
7[17]Solomon Islands, south of6.815.0
10[18]Indonesia, Banda Sea6.5370.0
12[19]Japan, off the south coast of Honshu6.6150.0
13[20]Papua New Guinea, off the north coast of7.025.0
20[21]Solomon Islands, Santa Cruz Islands6.880.0
27[22]Indonesia, Java Sea6.5600.0

June
June
Strongest magnitude8.2 Mw Taiwan
Deadliest8.2 Mw Taiwan
5 deaths
Total fatalities5
Number by magnitude
8.0−8.91
7.0−7.90
6.0−6.91
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

5[23][24]Taiwan, east of8.220.0 5 people were killed and 20 were injured. 273 homes were destroyed.520
9[25]Indonesia, Banda Sea6.815.0

July
July
Strongest magnitude6.0 Mw Canada
Total fatalities0
Number by magnitude
8.0−8.90
7.0−7.90
6.0−6.91
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

7[26]Canada, southern Yukon Territory6.035.0

August
August
Strongest magnitude6.9 Mw 2 events
Total fatalities0
Number by magnitude
8.0−8.90
7.0−7.90
6.0−6.94
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

3[27]Argentina, Catamarca Province6.915.0
13[28]Bolivia, Potosi Department6.5150.0
15[29]Solomon Islands, Santa Cruz Islands6.735.0
20[30][31]Chile, Araucania Region6.915.0 Some homes were damaged or destroyed.

September
September
Strongest magnitude8.1 Mw France
Deadliest5.8 Mw Italy
1,400 deaths
Total fatalities1,400
Number by magnitude
8.0−8.91
7.0−7.90
6.0−6.91
5.0−5.91
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

7[32]Italy, Emilia-Romagna5.810.0X There was conflicting information about the 1920 Garfagnana earthquake. Some sources put the death toll as high as 1,400 whereas others report 171 deaths.1,400
16[33]Japan, southeast of Hokkaido6.535.0
20[34][35]France, Loyalty Islands8.125.0 A tsunami caused some minor damage.

October
October
Strongest magnitude7.1 Mw Russia
Total fatalities0
Number by magnitude
8.0−8.90
7.0−7.91
6.0−6.92
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

12[36]China, border of Xizang Province and Xinjiang Province6.720.0
18[37] Russian SFSR, southern end of Urup, Kuril Islands7.135.0
20[38]Taiwan, east of6.415.0

November
November
Strongest magnitude6.2 Mw Albania
Deadliest6.2 Mw Albania
200 deaths
Total fatalities200
Number by magnitude
8.0−8.90
7.0−7.90
6.0−6.91
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

26[39]Albania, Gjirokaster County6.225.0XI 200 people were killed. Many homes were destroyed.200

December
December
Strongest magnitude8.3 Mw China
Deadliest8.3 Mw China
242,029 deaths
Total fatalities242,530
Number by magnitude
8.0−8.91
7.0−7.91
6.0−6.93
5.0−5.91
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties
Dead Injured

10[40]Argentina, Neuquen Province7.315.0
16[41][42]China, Ningxia8.315.0XII The 1920 Haiyuan earthquake was one of the deadliest events of the 20th century. Over 200,000 deaths were caused in the region. Based on a list of cities affected there was at least 242,029 people killed. Property damage was around $25 million (1920 rate). Parts of the regional terrain were affected with uplift or slumping.242,029
17[43]Argentina, Mendoza Province6.010.0VIII 400 people were killed and many homes were destroyed in the 1920 Mendoza earthquake.400
18[44]Albania, Vlore County5.60.0IX At least 101 people were killed. Many homes were destroyed.101+
19[45]Japan, off the east coast of Honshu6.835.0
25[46]China, Ningxia6.815.0 Aftershock.

References
  1. "Significant Earthquake: MEXICO: VERACRUZ: COZAUTLAN, PUEBLA: PATLANALA". National Geophysical Data Center. 3 January 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  2. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. 30 January 1920. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  3. "M 7.8 – New Britain region, Papua New Guinea". United States Geological Survey. 2 February 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  4. "Significant Earthquake: PAPUA NEW GUINEA: NEW BRITAIN". National Geophysical Data Center. 2 February 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  5. "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. 7 February 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  6. "M 6.4 – Puerto Rico region". United States Geological Survey. 10 February 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  7. "Significant Earthquake: GEORGIA: CAUCASUS: GORI, TIFLIS". National Geophysical Data Center. 20 February 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  8. "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. 22 February 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  9. "M 6.3 – off the west coast of northern Sumatra". United States Geological Survey. 17 March 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  10. "M 7.0 – southern East Pacific Rise". United States Geological Survey. 20 March 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  11. "M 6.4 – Vancouver Island, Canada region". United States Geological Survey. 29 March 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  12. "M 6.3 – eastern New Guinea region, Papua New Guinea". United States Geological Survey. 2 April 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  13. "M 6.3 – Kuril Islands". United States Geological Survey. 11 April 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  14. "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. 19 April 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  15. "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. 6 May 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  16. "M 6.8 – Mindanao, Philippines". United States Geological Survey. 7 May 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  17. "M 6.8 – Solomon Islands". United States Geological Survey. 7 May 1920. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  18. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. 10 May 1920. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  19. "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. 12 May 1920. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  20. "M 7.0 – near the north coast of New Guinea, Papua New Guinea". United States Geological Survey. 13 May 1920. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  21. "M 6.8 – Santa Cruz Islands". United States Geological Survey. 20 May 1920. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  22. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. 27 May 1920. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  23. "M 8.2 – Taiwan". United States Geological Survey. 5 June 1920. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  24. "Significant Earthquake: TAIWAN". National Geophysical Data Center. 5 June 1920. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  25. "M 6.8 – Banda Sea". United States Geological Survey. 9 June 1920. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  26. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. 7 July 1920. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  27. "M 6.9 – Catamarca, Argentina". United States Geological Survey. 3 August 1920. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  28. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. 13 August 1920. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  29. "M 6.7 – Santa Cruz Islands". United States Geological Survey. 15 August 1920. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  30. "M 6.9 – Araucania, Chile". United States Geological Survey. 20 August 1920. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  31. "Significant Earthquake: CHILE: OFF COAST CENTRAL". National Geophysical Data Center. 20 August 1920. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  32. "Significant Earthquake: ITALY: CARRARA,GARFAGNANA". National Geophysical Data Center. 7 September 1920. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  33. "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. 16 September 1920. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  34. "M 8.1 – Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia". United States Geological Survey. 20 September 1920. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  35. "Tsunami Event: VANUATU ISLANDS". National Geophysical Data Center. 20 September 1920. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  36. "M 6.7 – Xinjiang-Xizang border region". United States Geological Survey. 12 October 1920. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  37. "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. 18 October 1920. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  38. "M 6.4 – Taiwan region". United States Geological Survey. 20 October 1920. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  39. "Significant Earthquake: ALBANIA: TEPELENE, DRAGOTI, PESHTANI, MARICAJ". United States Geological Survey. 26 November 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  40. "M 7.3 – Neuquen, Argentina". United States Geological Survey. 10 December 1920. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  41. "M 8.3 – Gansu-Ningxia border region, China". United States Geological Survey. 16 December 1920. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  42. "Significant Earthquake: CHINA: GANSU PROVINCE, SHANXI PROVINCE". United States Geological Survey. 16 December 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  43. "Significant Earthquake: ARGENTINA: MENDOZA". United States Geological Survey. 17 December 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  44. "Significant Earthquake: ALBANIA: ELBASAN, PEQIN". United States Geological Survey. 18 December 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  45. "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. 19 December 1920. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  46. "M 6.8 – Nei Mongol-Ningxia border region, China". United States Geological Survey. 25 December 1920. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
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