Major Earthquakes Worldwide in 2022-2023

"Strong Earthquakes Strike Japan, Alaska, Cyprus, and China in January 2023"

7.4 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes the Turkish Province of Kahramanmaras

In the Turkish province of Kahramanmaras, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 occurred. The epicenter was located 37 kilometers from Gaziantep, with a focal depth of ten kilometers. Hundreds of buildings collapsed in different cities. The earthquake was accompanied by 32 aftershocks, with the strongest measuring 6.6 in magnitude. Underground tremors were felt in several provinces of Syria, as well as in Lebanon and Iraq. According to Turkey's Vice President, Oktay, the earthquake resulted in the death of 284 people, while 2,323 others were injured. In Syria, 237 people were killed and 639 were injured as a result of the earthquake.

5.9 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Northwest Iran

On January 28, a 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck northwest Iran. The focal depth was 10 kilometers, located 34 kilometers southeast of the city of Hoy. This was followed by 25 subsequent tremors. The earthquake claimed the lives of three people and left 1,167 injured.

7.6 Magnitude Earthquake Occurs off the Coast of Indonesia

On January 9, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake occurred off the coast of Indonesia. It was recorded 341.1 kilometers northeast of the populated area of Tual in the Maluku province, with a population of 39,500. The focal depth was 95.2 kilometers.

7.0 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes off the Coast of Vanuatu

On January 8, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Vanuatu. It was recorded 23 kilometers northwest of the populated area of Port-Olry, with an approximate population of 1,900. The focal depth was 27.7 kilometers. A tsunami threat was issued due to the earthquake.

6.7 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Near the Kingdom of Tonga

On December 4, a 6.7 magnitude earthquake occurred near the Kingdom of Tonga in the Pacific Ocean. The epicenter of the seismic activity was located 108 kilometers from the populated area of Hihifo, with a focal depth of 36 kilometers.

5.6 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Southwest District of West Java, Indonesia

On November 21, a 5.6 magnitude earthquake struck the southwest district of Chianjur in West Java province, Indonesia. The earthquake claimed the lives of over 250 people, with 31 individuals missing and 377 injured. Additionally, the earthquake triggered a landslide that engulfed at least one village. More than 2,300 houses were completely destroyed or significantly damaged. The destructive force of the earthquake was attributed to its shallow focal depth.

7.5 Magnitude Earthquake Recorded off the Coast of Tonga Islands

On November 11, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake was recorded off the coast of the Tonga Islands. The epicenter of the seismic activity was located 220 kilometers northwest of the city of Neiafu, with a focal depth of 33 kilometers. A tsunami threat was issued due to the earthquake.

6.8 Magnitude Earthquake Recorded in the Philippines

On October 25, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake was recorded in the Philippines. The epicenter was located nine kilometers southeast of the city of Pinili, with a focal depth of 10 kilometers.

5.7 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Iran

On October 5, a 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck Iran. The epicenter of the seismic activity was located 15 kilometers southeast of the populated area of Hoy in West Azerbaijan province. The focal depth was five kilometers. Following the earthquake, there were

Around 30 Aftershocks Recorded After 5.7 Magnitude Earthquake in Iran Following the 5.7 magnitude earthquake in Iran on October 5, approximately 30 aftershocks were recorded. A representative from the emergency services reported that the number of casualties exceeded 1,100 people. More than 500 residential houses suffered significant damage or were destroyed.

7.7 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Western Mexico

On September 19, a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake occurred in western Mexico. Approximately 1.2 million electricity consumers were left without power. Two people lost their lives. Over the course of several days after the initial earthquake, more than 1,400 aftershocks were recorded.

Strong Earthquake Hits Taiwan, Tsunami Warning Issued

On September 18, a strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2 (according to the U.S. Geological Survey) struck Taiwan. Chinese seismologists estimated the magnitude at 6.9. The epicenter was located in Hualien County on the eastern coast of the island, with a focal depth of ten kilometers. Information regarding possible casualties is not yet available.

6.7 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Coast of Vanuatu

On September 14, a powerful 6.7 magnitude earthquake occurred off the coast of Vanuatu. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake was recorded 209 kilometers southeast of the city of Isangel. The focal depth was 143 kilometers. No information regarding casualties or damage has been reported. There was no tsunami threat.

Major Earthquake Hits Wau City in Papua New Guinea

On September 11, a major earthquake struck Wau City in eastern Papua New Guinea. The epicenter was located approximately 123 kilometers northwest of Wau, with a focal depth of 61 kilometers. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the magnitude was 7.6. The earthquake claimed the lives of 10 people.

6.8 Magnitude Earthquake Causes Widespread Damage in Sichuan, China

On September 5, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake occurred in the Luding County of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province, China. The earthquake resulted in the collapse of 243 private houses and two public buildings. Over 13,000 private houses and 142 public buildings were damaged. More than 300 hotels, small guesthouses, and inns were also affected. Several villages were left without electricity, and infrastructure, including road surfaces on multiple highways, was damaged. Authorities evacuated over 10,000 people from the affected areas. The number of casualties exceeded 90 people, with 25 individuals still missing.

Earthquake with Magnitude 7.0 Strikes the Philippines, Causing Casualties

On July 27, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 struck the Philippines. It affected provinces in the northwest of Luzon Island, as well as surrounding areas, including the Manila metropolitan area. The epicenter was located at a depth of 17 kilometers. Ten people were killed and 375 were injured. In total, the earthquake affected over 314,000 people.

Earthquake with Magnitude 5.2 Hits Ecuador, Causing Damages and Injuries

On July 25, a 5.2-magnitude earthquake occurred in Ecuador. The tremors were recorded 17.8 kilometers from the city of San Gabriel in the province of Karchi and were felt in 26 cantons. At least eight people were injured, and 334 residential houses were damaged, with 18 of them being destroyed.

Earthquake with Magnitude 5.1 Strikes Afghanistan, Resulting in Over 30 Casualties

On July 18, a 5.1-magnitude earthquake was recorded in the Paktika province in southeastern Afghanistan. The number of people affected by the earthquake exceeded 30 casualties.

Strong Earthquake Hits Northern Ecuador, Resulting in Casualties and Building Damages

On July 15, a strong earthquake occurred north of the Ecuadorian city of Guayaquil. Strong tremors were felt in the cities of Guayaquil, the capital Quito, Santo Domingo, Ambato, Sigchos, and Cuenca. The main shock had a magnitude of 6.1. At least one person died, and over 90 buildings were damaged.

6.0 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Southern Iran, Causing Fatalities and Injuries

During the night of July 2, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) recorded a 6.0-magnitude earthquake in the southern part of Iran. The epicenter was located 61 kilometers northeast of Bender Lenge city in Hormozgan, at a depth of 10 kilometers. Several aftershocks with magnitudes ranging from 4.2 to 6.2 were recorded in the region within two hours after the initial earthquake. Three men and two women were killed, and an additional 12 people were hospitalized.

6.1 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Afghanistan, Resulting in Multiple Fatalities and Injuries

On June 21, Afghanistan experienced a 6.1-magnitude earthquake. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), it was recorded at 20:54 UTC (23:54 MSK). The epicenter was located 44 kilometers southwest of the city of Host. The earthquake's focal depth was approximately 51 kilometers. The earthquake claimed the lives of 255 people, and over 150 were injured.

Intense 8.3 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Lake Baikal in Russia's Irkutsk Region

On June 8, the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MChS) in the Irkutsk region reported an 8.3-magnitude earthquake occurring at Lake Baikal. The underground tremors were recorded at 20:24 local time (15:24 MSK). According to the agency, the epicenter was located 17 kilometers from the settlement of Bolshoye Goloustnoye in the waters of Lake Baikal, with an intensity of 8.3 at the epicenter. The cities in the region felt tremors up to a magnitude of five. No casualties or destruction were reported according to the unified emergency dispatch services in the Angara region. The press service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations in the Zabaykalsky Krai stated that residents of various districts of Chita also felt the tremors.

6.1 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Sichuan Province in Southwest China

On June 1, a 6.1-magnitude earthquake occurred in the Lushan County of the Yan'an District, Sichuan Province in southwestern China. The epicenter was located at a depth of 17 kilometers. The earthquake resulted in four deaths and over 40 injuries.

Earthquake Hits Southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, Causing Casualties and Vibrations in Croatia

On April 23, an earthquake occurred 20 kilometers east of the city of Stolac in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). According to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), the epicenter was at a depth of five kilometers. The earthquake claimed one life, and two people were injured. Strong ground vibrations were also felt in Dalmatia, a coastal region in Croatia. People rushed out of their homes, apartments, and tourist facilities in Dubrovnik. The shaking lasted for several seconds. Media outlets published data from Montenegrin seismologists who assessed the underground shocks as 5.5 on the Richter scale.

7.2 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Near New Caledonia, France's Overseas Territory

On March 31, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake occurred in the Pacific Ocean near the shores of New Caledonia, a French overseas territory. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake was recorded at 05:44 UTC (08:44 MSK), 280 kilometers southeast of the city of Tadine. The focal depth was at a depth of ten kilometers. Another powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7 occurred in the same area on March 30. No information was available regarding potential casualties or damages.

Strong 7.3 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Fukushima, Japan, Triggering Tsunami Warning

On March 16, a powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck the northeastern region of Japan, near Fukushima Prefecture. The tremors were felt in northern and northeastern prefectures, including the capital city of Tokyo. The epicenter was located at a depth of 60 kilometers. A tsunami warning was issued. There is no information available regarding casualties or damages. According to the Kyodo news agency, the fire departments in Fukushima Prefecture have received numerous reports of injuries. Over 2 million buildings were left without electricity. Later, a secondary earthquake with a magnitude of 5.6 occurred.

6.6 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Near the Coast of Indonesia

On March 14, a 6.6-magnitude earthquake occurred near the coast of Indonesia. The epicenter of the underground tremors was located 168 kilometers west of the city of Pariaman in West Sumatra Province. The focal depth of the earthquake was 16 kilometers. No information was reported regarding possible casualties or damages, and no tsunami threat was announced.

6.8 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Guatemala, Followed by Aftershock

On February 16, a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Guatemala. The epicenter was located 54 kilometers from the city of Mazatenango and 84 kilometers from the city of Escuintla. The focal depth was 36 kilometers. Later, a 5.0-magnitude aftershock occurred. Its epicenter was situated 51 kilometers from Mazatenango, with a focal depth of 19 kilometers. No information was available regarding potential casualties. Several areas in the country experienced power outages, including the capital city.

5.3 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Haiti, Resulting in Casualties

On January 24, a 5.3-magnitude earthquake occurred in the vicinity of Haiti. The underground tremor was recorded near the commune of Petit-Goâve. The focal depth of the earthquake was 10 kilometers. Following the initial shock, a second seismic jolt with a magnitude of 3.7 occurred. The earthquake resulted in 52 people injured and two fatalities.

6.4 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Kyushu Island, Japan

On the night of January 22, a 6.4-magnitude earthquake occurred near Kyushu Island, Japan. There was no tsunami threat associated with the earthquake. The epicenter of the earthquake was located underwater at a depth of 40 kilometers. Tremors with intensities of up to five on the seismic scale were felt in the prefectures of Oita, Miyazaki, Kochi, and Kumamoto. More than five aftershocks with magnitudes up to 4.5 were recorded within an hour after the powerful earthquake. One injury has been reported.

6.7 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Off the Coast of Alaska

On January 11, a 6.7-magnitude earthquake occurred off the coast of the American state of Alaska. The epicenter of the underground tremors was located 91 kilometers southeast of the small settlement of Nikolski in the Aleutian Islands. The focal depth of the earthquake was 33 kilometers. No information was reported regarding possible casualties or damages, and no tsunami threat was announced.

6.6 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off the Coast of Cyprus

On January 11, an earthquake occurred off the coast of Cyprus. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the magnitude of the earthquake was recorded as 6.6. The epicenter was located 115 kilometers northwest of the city of Limassol, with a focal depth of 19.6 kilometers. According to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.5, with a focal depth of 51 kilometers. No information was reported regarding potential casualties or damages, and no tsunami threat was announced.

Earthquake Strikes Qinghai Province, China

On January 8, an earthquake occurred in the Qinghai Province of China. According to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), the magnitude was recorded as 6.3. Local experts indicated a magnitude of 6.9. As a result of the earthquake, a section of the Great Wall of China, measuring about two meters, collapsed in Shandan County, northwest of Gansu Province, approximately 114 kilometers from the epicenter. Tremors were felt by residents in some major cities. Nine people were injured.