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Earthquakes in 1939 Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1939
Strongest magnitude Chile , Biobío Region (Magnitude 8.3) January 24Deadliest Turkey , Erzincan Province (Magnitude 7.8) December 26 32,700 deathsTotal fatalities 62,860 9.0+ 0
This is a list of earthquakes in 1939 . 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. 1939 was one of the deadliest years for earthquakes with over 60,000 deaths. Two major events resulted in this being the case. In January, a quake struck Chile causing 30,000 deaths, and in December Turkey was shaken by a quake which left 32,700 dead. Several other events occurred in Japan , Peru , Turkey and Ghana which left some fatalities.
Rank
Death toll
Magnitude
Location
MMI
Depth (km)
Date
1
32,700
7.8
Turkey , Erzincan Province
XII (Extreme )
20.0
December 26
2
30,000
8.3
Chile , Biobío Region
X (Extreme )
35.0
January 25
3
41
6.3
Turkey , İzmir Province
IX (Violent )
35.0
September 21
4
37
0.0
Peru , Madre de Dios Region
( )
0.0
June 24
5
27
7.0
Japan , off the coast of Akita Prefecture , Honshu
( )
10.0
May 1
6
22
6.4
Gold Coast , Central Region (Gold Coast)
IX (Violent )
15.0
June 22
7
13
5.9
Turkey , Erzincan Province
VII (Very strong )
80.0
November 21
8
12
7.8
British Solomon Islands
( )
15.0
April 30
Note : At least 10 casualties
Rank
Magnitude
Death toll
Location
MMI
Depth (km)
Date
1
8.3
30,000
Chile , Biobío Region
X (Extreme )
35.0
January 25
2
8.1
0
Dutch East Indies , Gulf of Tomini
( )
35.0
December 21
= 3
7.8
5
New Guinea , south of Bougainville Island
( )
35.0
January 30
= 3
7.8
12
British Solomon Islands
( )
15.0
April 30
= 3
7.8
32,700
Turkey , Erzincan Province
XII (Extreme )
20.0
December 26
4
7.5
0
southern Indian Ocean
( )
15.0
March 21
= 5
7.4
0
Chile , Atacama Region
( )
35.0
April 18
= 5
7.4
0
New Hebrides
( )
135.0
October 17
6
7.3
0
Costa Rica , Alajuela Province
( )
25.0
December 21
= 7
7.2
0
Tonga
( )
100.0
June 8
= 7
7.2
0
New Hebrides
( )
180.0
August 12
8
7.1
0
United States , Near Islands , Alaska
( )
15.0
September 8
= 9
7.0
0
British Solomon Islands
( )
15.0
February 3
= 9
7.0
0
New Hebrides
( )
30.0
April 5
= 9
7.0
0
Russian SFSR , off the coast of Primorski Krai
( )
530.0
April 21
= 9
7.0
27
Japan , off the coast of Akita Prefecture , Honshu
( )
10.0
May 1
= 9
7.0
0
Mexico , Gulf of California
( )
10.0
May 2
= 9
7.0
0
Japan , off the east coast of Honshu
( )
20.0
October 10
Note : At least 7.0 magnitude
January Strongest magnitude 8.3 Mw Chile Deadliest 8.3 Mw Chile 30,000 deaths Total fatalities 30,005 8.0–8.9 1 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 5 5.0–5.9 1
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
2 [ 1]
Turkey , south of
5.3
0.0
Major damage was reported. Depth unknown.
18 [ 2]
Chile , Coquimbo Region
6.2
70.0
20 [ 3]
Guatemala , off the south coast of
6.5
70.0
22 [ 4]
New Guinea , off the east coast of
6.2
35.0
24 [ 5]
Argentina , Santiago del Estero Province
6.0
580.0
25 [ 6] [ 7]
Chile , Biobío Region
8.3
35.0
X
The 1939 Chillán earthquake was one of the worst in Chilean history. 30,000 people were killed. Many homes were destroyed and damage costs were around $920 million (1939 rate).
30,000+
30 [ 8] [ 9]
New Guinea , south of Bougainville Island
7.8
35.0
5 people were killed and at least 101 were injured. Many homes were destroyed.
5
101+
30 [ 10]
New Guinea , off the east coast of
6.5
200.0
March Strongest magnitude 7.5 Mw south Indian Ocean Deadliest 6.7 Mw Japan 1 death Total fatalities 1 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 3
May Strongest magnitude 7.0 Mw 2 events Deadliest 7.0 Mw Japan 27 deaths Total fatalities 27 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 2 6.0–6.9 9
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
1 [ 29] [ 30]
Japan , off the coast of Akita Prefecture , Honshu
7.0
10.0
VII
27 deaths were caused as well as 52 injuries. 479 homes were destroyed.
27
52
1 [ 31]
Japan , off the coast of Akita Prefecture , Honshu
6.5
10.0
Aftershock.
2 [ 32]
Mexico , Gulf of California
7.0
10.0
6 [ 33] [ 34]
Philippines , north of Mindoro
6.5
110.0
V
8 [ 35] [ 36]
Portugal , east of the Azores
6.7
10.0
X
17 [ 37]
Japan , Volcano Islands
6.5
35.0
19 [ 38]
Bolivia , Oruro Department
6.2
100.0
22 [ 39]
Dutch East Indies , New Guinea , border region
6.2
35.0
26 [ 40]
Russian SFSR , Buryatia
6.0
35.0
26 [ 41]
Dutch East Indies , Papua (province)
6.3
25.0
27 [ 42]
India , Manipur
6.1
65.7
June Strongest magnitude 7.2 Mw Tonga Deadliest 0.0 Mw Peru 37 deaths Total fatalities 59 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 7
July Strongest magnitude 6.8 Mw Fiji Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 0 6.0–6.9 5
August Strongest magnitude 7.2 Mw New Hebrides Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 5
September Strongest magnitude 7.1 Mw United States Deadliest 6.3 Mw Turkey 41 deaths Total fatalities 43 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 4 5.0–5.9 1
October Strongest magnitude 7.4 Mw New Hebrides Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 2 6.0–6.9 6
November Strongest magnitude 6.7 Mw Afghanistan Deadliest 5.9 Mw Turkey 13 deaths Total fatalities 13 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 0 6.0–6.9 5 5.0–5.9 1
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
5 [ 88]
Guatemala , Retalhuleu Department
6.7
45.0
16 [ 89]
Russian SFSR , Kuril Islands
6.5
60.0
20 [ 90]
Dutch East Indies , Flores Sea
6.0
700.0
21 [ 91]
Costa Rica , Alajuela Province
7.3
25.0
21 [ 92] [ 93]
Dutch East Indies , Gulf of Tomini
8.1
35.0
Many homes were destroyed.
22 [ 94]
Costa Rica , off the west coast of
6.8
25.0
25 [ 95]
Dutch East Indies , Gulf of Tomini
6.2
125.0
Aftershock.
26 [ 96]
El Salvador , Usulután Department
6.0
75.0
26 [ 97] [ 98] [ 99]
Turkey , Erzincan Province
7.8
20.0
XII
The 1939 Erzincan earthquake caused major destruction in the area. 32,700 people were killed. Damage costs were $20 million (1939 rate). Scores of homes were ruined.
32,700
27 [ 100]
Dutch East Indies , off the north coast of Papua (province)
6.5
80.0
^ "Significant Earthquake: TURKEY" . National Geophysical Data Center . January 2, 1939. Retrieved May 26, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . January 18, 1939. Retrieved May 26, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . January 20, 1939. Retrieved May 26, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . January 22, 1939. Retrieved May 26, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . January 24, 1939. Retrieved May 26, 2016 .
^ "M 7.8 – Bio-Bio, Chile" . United States Geological Survey. January 25, 1939. Retrieved May 26, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: CHILE: CHILLAN" . National Geophysical Data Center . January 25, 1939. Retrieved May 26, 2016 .
^ "M 7.8 – Solomon Islands" . United States Geological Survey. January 30, 1939. Retrieved May 26, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: PAPUA NEW GUINEA: BOUGAINVILLE ISLAND" . National Geophysical Data Center . January 30, 1939. Retrieved May 26, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . January 30, 1939. Retrieved May 26, 2016 .
^ "M 7.0 – Solomon Islands" . United States Geological Survey. February 3, 1939. Retrieved May 26, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . February 4, 1939. Retrieved May 26, 2016 .
^ "M 6.6 – off the east coast of Honshu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey. February 16, 1939. Retrieved May 26, 2016 .
^ "M 6.3 – Alaska Peninsula" . United States Geological Survey. February 24, 1939. Retrieved October 26, 2019 .
^ "M 6.3 – Alaska Peninsula" . United States Geological Survey. February 24, 1939. Retrieved October 26, 2019 .
^ "M 6.0 – New Guinea, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey. March 2, 1939. Retrieved May 26, 2016 .
^ "M 6.3 – Bougainville region, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey. March 8, 1939. Retrieved May 26, 2016 .
^ "M 6.7 – Kyushu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey. March 20, 1939. Retrieved May 26, 2016 .
^ "Tsunami Event: SEIKAIDO" . National Geophysical Data Center . March 20, 1939. Retrieved May 26, 2016 .
^ "M 7.5 – South Indian Ocean" . United States Geological Survey. March 21, 1939. Retrieved May 26, 2016 .
^ "M 7.0 – Vanuatu" . United States Geological Survey. April 5, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "M 7.4 – Atacama, Chile" . United States Geological Survey. April 18, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . April 20, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "M 7.0 – Primor'ye, Russia" . United States Geological Survey. April 21, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . April 25, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "M 7.8 – Solomon Islands" . United States Geological Survey. April 30, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: SOLOMON ISLANDS" . National Geophysical Data Center . April 30, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "Tsunami Event: SOLOMON ISLANDS" . National Geophysical Data Center . April 30, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "M 7.0 – near the west coast of Honshu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey. May 1, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: JAPAN: HONSHU: NW" . National Geophysical Data Center . May 1, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 – near the west coast of Honshu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey. May 1, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "M 7.0 – Baja California, Mexico" . United States Geological Survey. May 2, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . May 6, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: PHILIPPINES: LUZON ISLAND, MINDOR ISLAND" . National Geophysical Data Center . May 6, 1939. Retrieved October 26, 2019 .
^ "M 6.7 – Azores Islands region" . United States Geological Survey. May 8, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: AZORES: ATLANTIC" . National Geophysical Data Center . May 8, 1939. Retrieved October 26, 2019 .
^ "M 6.5 – Volcano Islands, Japan region" . United States Geological Survey. May 17, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . May 19, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . May 22, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . May 26, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "M 6.3 – Papua, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey. May 26, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "M 6.1 – Myanmar-India border region" . United States Geological Survey. May 27, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 – Kepulauan Talaud, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey. June 2, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . June 4, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . June 8, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "M 6.3 – near the south coast of Papua, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey. June 9, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . June 13, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . June 18, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "M 6.4 – Ghana" . United States Geological Survey. June 22, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: GHANA: ACCRA" . National Geophysical Data Center . June 22, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: PERU: POMACANCHI" . National Geophysical Data Center . June 24, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "M 6.6 – Mindanao, Philippines" . United States Geological Survey. June 27, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . July 4, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . July 5, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 – Papua, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey. July 12, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . July 14, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "M 6.8 – Fiji region" . United States Geological Survey. July 20, 1939. Retrieved May 28, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . August 1, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . August 12, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 – Vanuatu" . United States Geological Survey. August 18, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "M 6.3 – Unimak Island region, Alaska" . United States Geological Survey. August 20, 1939. Retrieved October 27, 2019 .
^ "M 6.3 – Unimak Island region, Alaska" . United States Geological Survey. August 20, 1939. Retrieved October 27, 2019 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . August 25, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . August 27, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "M 7.1 – Near Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska" . United States Geological Survey. September 8, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: CHINA: YUNNAN PROVINCE" . National Geophysical Data Center . September 19, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . September 20, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . September 20, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "M 6.3 – western Turkey" . United States Geological Survey. September 22, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: TURKEY" . National Geophysical Data Center . September 22, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . September 28, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . October 5, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . October 7, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . October 7, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "M 7.0 – off the east coast of Honshu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey. October 10, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: PERU: CHUQUIBAMBA" . National Geophysical Data Center . October 11, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . October 17, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . October 20, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . October 22, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . October 30, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . November 4, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . November 10, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . November 17, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . November 18, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: TURKEY: ERZINCAN" . National Geophysical Data Center . November 21, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . November 21, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: AFGHANISTAN" . National Geophysical Data Center . November 21, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "M 6.7 – Guatemala" . United States Geological Survey. December 5, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 – Kuril Islands" . United States Geological Survey. December 16, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . December 20, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . December 21, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "M 8.1 – Sulawesi, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey. December 21, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: INDONESIA: CENTRTAL SULAWESI: KALO,LUWUK,SULA I" . National Geophysical Data Center . December 21, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "M 6.8 – Costa Rica" . United States Geological Survey. December 22, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . December 25, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . December 26, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "M 7.8 – eastern Turkey" . United States Geological Survey. December 26, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "M 7.8 – eastern Turkey" . United States Geological Survey. December 26, 1939. Retrieved October 28, 2019 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: TURKEY: ERZINCAN" . National Geophysical Data Center . December 26, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . December 27, 1939. Retrieved May 29, 2016 .