Earthquakes in 1945 Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1945
Strongest magnitude India , off the coast of Pakistan (Magnitude 8.1) November 27Deadliest India , off the coast of Pakistan (Magnitude 8.1) November 27 4,000 deathsTotal fatalities 6,337 9.0+ 0
This is a list of earthquakes in 1945 . 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. The last year of World War II was dominated by two events which caused the vast bulk of the death toll. In January, over 2,300 were killed by a large magnitude 6.6 quake in Japan . In November, a magnitude 8.1 quake caused a devastating tsunami leading to 4,000 deaths in Pakistan . In terms of large events, most activity occurred in the western Pacific Ocean . Japan , New Guinea , and the southwest Pacific Islands saw several events with a magnitude over 7.0.
Note : At least 10 casualties Rank Magnitude Death toll Location MMI Depth (km) Date 1 8.1 4,000 India , off the coast of Pakistan X (Extreme ) 15.0 November 27 2 7.8 0 Australia , West New Britain Province , New Guinea ( ) 85.0 December 28 3 7.5 0 New Zealand , off the south coast of South Island , New Zealand ( ) 20.0 September 1 = 4 7.2 0 France , southeast of the Loyalty Islands , New Caledonia ( ) 20.0 February 1 = 4 7.2 2 Empire of Japan , off the northeast coast of Honshu VII (Very strong ) 58.7 February 10 = 4 7.2 0 Empire of Japan , Volcano Islands ( ) 15.0 February 26 = 4 7.2 0 Empire of Japan , off the east coast of Honshu ( ) 50.0 March 11 = 5 7.1 0 USA , Northern Mariana Islands ( ) 138.5 July 15 = 5 7.1 0 Chile , Santiago Metropolitan Region ( ) 91.9 September 13 = 6 7.0 0 France , southeast of the Loyalty Islands , New Caledonia ( ) 20.0 February 1 = 6 7.0 0 Soviet Union , off the east coast of Kamchatka , Russia VI (Strong ) 35.0 April 15 = 6 7.0 0 Panama , Chiriqui Province ( ) 80.0 June 3 = 6 7.0 0 Soviet Union , Kuril Islands , Russia ( ) 100.0 June 22 = 6 7.0 0 Australia , Bismarck Sea , New Guinea ( ) 50.0 September 22 = 6 7.0 0 Fiji ( ) 592.3 November 26
Note : At least 7.0 magnitude
February Strongest magnitude 7.2 Mw 3 events Deadliest 7.2 Mw Empire of Japan 2 deaths Total fatalities 2 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 4 6.0–6.9 2
April Strongest magnitude 7.0 Mw Soviet Union Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 5
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties Dead Injured 15 [ 20] [ 21] Soviet Union , off the east coast of Kamchatka , Russia 7.0 35.0 VI 15 [ 22] Soviet Union , off the east coast of Kamchatka , Russia 6.8 35.0 Aftershock. 19 [ 23] France , southeast of the Loyalty Islands , New Caledonia 6.5 35.0 21 [ 24] Mexico , State of Mexico 6.5 100.0 22 [ 25] Empire of Japan , Celebes Sea 6.8 565.0 23 [ 26] Australia , East New Britain Province , New Guinea 6.8 160.0
May Strongest magnitude 6.8 Mw Empire of Japan Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 0 6.0–6.9 3
June Strongest magnitude 7.0 Mw 2 events Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 2 6.0–6.9 3
July Strongest magnitude 7.1 Mw United States Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 2
August Strongest magnitude 6.9 Mw New Hebrides Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 0 6.0–6.9 7
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties Dead Injured 1 [ 52] New Zealand , off the south coast of South Island 7.5 20.0 2 [ 53] eastern Mediterranean Sea 6.5 80.0 5 [ 54] [ 55] Australia , south of New Ireland (island) , New Guinea 6.6 45.0 VI 7 [ 56] Romania , Vrancea County 6.5 100.0 12 [ 57] [ 58] France , Sangha Department (Republic of the Congo) 6.0 35.0 VIII Some damage was caused. 13 [ 59] Chile , Santiago Metropolitan Region 7.1 91.9 19 [ 60] Japan , off the south coast of Hokkaido 6.6 65.0 22 [ 61] Australia , Bismarck Sea , New Guinea 7.0 50.0 23 [ 62] [ 63] Republic of China (1912-1949) , Hebei Province 6.2 35.0 VIII 17 people were killed and 30 were injured. Some homes were destroyed. 17 30
October Strongest magnitude 6.8 Mw 2 events Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 0 6.0–6.9 6
November Strongest magnitude 8.1 Mw India Deadliest 8.1 Mw India 4,000 deaths Total fatalities 4,000 8.0–8.9 1 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 1
December Strongest magnitude 7.8 Mw Australia Deadliest 0.0 Mw Turkey 7 deaths Total fatalities 7 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 4
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties Dead Injured 8 [ 78] [ 79] Australia , West New Britain Province , New Guinea 6.7 55.0 VI 9 [ 80] Romania , Buzau County 6.0 100.0 21 [ 81] Turkey , Denizli Province 0.0 0.0 VIII 7 deaths were caused and some damage was caused. Magnitude and depth unknown. 7 23 [ 82] Venezuela , Trinidad and Tobago , Columbus Channel 6.5 100.0 27 [ 83] [ 84] Australia , West New Britain Province , New Guinea 6.7 55.0 VI Foreshock. 28 [ 85] Australia , West New Britain Province , New Guinea 7.8 85.0
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . January 1, 1945. Retrieved July 18, 2016 . ^ "M 6.6 - near the south coast of Honshu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . January 12, 1945. Retrieved July 18, 2016 . ^ "M 6.6 - near the south coast of Honshu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . January 12, 1945. Retrieved August 4, 2020 . ^ "Significant Earthquake: JAPAN: HONSHU: S" . National Geophysical Data Center . January 12, 1945. Retrieved July 18, 2016 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . January 22, 1945. Retrieved July 18, 2016 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . February 1, 1945. Retrieved July 18, 2016 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . February 1, 1945. Retrieved July 18, 2016 . ^ "M 7.2 - Hokkaido, Japan region" . United States Geological Survey . February 10, 1945. Retrieved July 18, 2016 . ^ "M 7.2 - Hokkaido, Japan region" . United States Geological Survey . February 10, 1945. Retrieved August 4, 2020 . ^ "Tsunami Event: SANRIKU" . National Geophysical Data Center . February 10, 1945. Retrieved August 4, 2020 . ^ "M 6.0 - southern Idaho" . United States Geological Survey . February 14, 1945. Retrieved August 4, 2020 . ^ "M 6.0 - southern Idaho" . United States Geological Survey . February 14, 1945. Retrieved August 4, 2020 . ^ "M 6.4 - off the east coast of Honshu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . February 18, 1945. Retrieved July 18, 2016 . ^ "M 7.2 - Volcano Islands, Japan region" . United States Geological Survey . February 26, 1945. Retrieved July 18, 2016 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . March 11, 1945. Retrieved July 18, 2016 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . March 11, 1945. Retrieved July 18, 2016 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . March 17, 1945. Retrieved July 18, 2016 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . March 18, 1945. Retrieved July 18, 2016 . ^ "Significant Earthquake: UGANDA: MASARA" . National Geophysical Data Center . March 18, 1945. Retrieved July 18, 2016 . ^ "M 7.0 - near the east coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia" . United States Geological Survey . April 15, 1945. Retrieved July 18, 2016 . ^ "M 7.0 - near the east coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia" . United States Geological Survey . April 15, 1945. Retrieved July 18, 2016 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . April 15, 1945. Retrieved July 18, 2016 . ^ "M 6.5 - southeast of the Loyalty Islands" . United States Geological Survey . April 19, 1945. Retrieved July 18, 2016 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . April 21, 1945. Retrieved July 18, 2016 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . April 22, 1945. Retrieved July 18, 2016 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . April 23, 1945. Retrieved July 18, 2016 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . May 9, 1945. Retrieved July 30, 2016 . ^ "M 6.4 - off the coast of Northern California" . United States Geological Survey . May 19, 1945. Retrieved July 30, 2016 . ^ "M 6.4 - off the coast of Northern California" . United States Geological Survey . May 19, 1945. Retrieved July 30, 2016 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . May 31, 1945. Retrieved July 30, 2016 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . June 3, 1945. Retrieved July 30, 2016 . ^ "M 6.4 - western Xizang-India border region" . United States Geological Survey . June 4, 1945. Retrieved July 30, 2016 . ^ "M 6.4 - western Xizang-India border region" . United States Geological Survey . June 4, 1945. Retrieved August 5, 2020 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . June 22, 1945. Retrieved July 30, 2016 . ^ "M 6.5 - Himachal Pradesh, India" . United States Geological Survey . June 22, 1945. Retrieved July 30, 2016 . ^ "M 6.5 - Himachal Pradesh, India" . United States Geological Survey . June 22, 1945. Retrieved August 5, 2020 . ^ "M 6.7 - Gulf of California" . United States Geological Survey . June 27, 1945. Retrieved July 30, 2016 . ^ "M 6.7 - Gulf of California" . United States Geological Survey . June 27, 1945. Retrieved August 5, 2020 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . July 9, 1945. Retrieved July 30, 2016 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . July 15, 1945. Retrieved July 30, 2016 . ^ "M 6.7 - northern Sumatra, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey . July 23, 1945. Retrieved July 30, 2016 . ^ "M 6.7 - northern Sumatra, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey . July 23, 1945. Retrieved August 5, 2020 . ^ "M 6.3 - Taiwan region" . United States Geological Survey . August 1, 1945. Retrieved July 31, 2016 . ^ "M 6.3 - Taiwan region" . United States Geological Survey . August 1, 1945. Retrieved August 5, 2020 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . August 2, 1945. Retrieved July 31, 2016 . ^ "M 6.4 - Andaman Islands, India region" . United States Geological Survey . August 8, 1945. Retrieved July 31, 2016 . ^ "M 6.5 - Ryukyu Islands, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . August 14, 1945. Retrieved July 31, 2016 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . August 21, 1945. Retrieved July 31, 2016 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . August 28, 1945. Retrieved July 31, 2016 . ^ "M 6.9 - Vanuatu" . United States Geological Survey . August 29, 1945. Retrieved July 31, 2016 . ^ "M 6.9 - Vanuatu" . United States Geological Survey . August 29, 1945. Retrieved August 5, 2020 . ^ "M 7.5 - off the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand" . United States Geological Survey . September 1, 1945. Retrieved July 31, 2016 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . September 2, 1945. Retrieved July 31, 2016 . ^ "M 6.6 - New Britain region, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey . September 5, 1945. Retrieved July 31, 2016 . ^ "M 6.6 - New Britain region, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey . September 5, 1945. Retrieved August 5, 2020 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . September 7, 1945. Retrieved July 31, 2016 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . September 12, 1945. Retrieved July 31, 2016 . ^ "Significant Earthquake: CAMEROON: CONGO; CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC" . National Geophysical Data Center . September 12, 1945. Retrieved July 31, 2016 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . September 13, 1945. Retrieved July 31, 2016 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . September 19, 1945. Retrieved July 31, 2016 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . September 22, 1945. Retrieved July 31, 2016 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . September 23, 1945. Retrieved July 31, 2016 . ^ "Significant Earthquake: CHINA: HEBEI PROVINCE" . National Geophysical Data Center . September 23, 1945. Retrieved July 31, 2016 . ^ "M 6.1 - off the coast of El Salvador" . United States Geological Survey . October 7, 1945. Retrieved August 2, 2016 . ^ "M 6.6 - Kuril Islands" . United States Geological Survey . October 9, 1945. Retrieved August 2, 2016 . ^ "M 6.6 - Kuril Islands" . United States Geological Survey . October 9, 1945. Retrieved August 9, 2020 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . October 11, 1945. Retrieved August 2, 2016 . ^ "M 6.5 - Sulawesi, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey . October 16, 1945. Retrieved August 2, 2016 . ^ "M 6.5 - Sulawesi, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey . October 16, 1945. Retrieved August 9, 2020 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . October 27, 1945. Retrieved August 2, 2016 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . October 28, 1945. Retrieved August 2, 2016 . ^ "M 6.8 - Gulf of Alaska" . United States Geological Survey . November 3, 1945. Retrieved August 9, 2020 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . November 26, 1945. Retrieved August 8, 2016 . ^ "M 8.1 - off the coast of Pakistan" . United States Geological Survey . November 27, 1945. Retrieved August 8, 2016 . ^ "M 8.1 - off the coast of Pakistan" . United States Geological Survey . November 27, 1945. Retrieved August 9, 2020 . ^ "Significant Earthquake: PAKISTAN: MAKRAN COAST" . National Geophysical Data Center . November 27, 1945. Retrieved August 8, 2016 . ^ "Tsunami Event: MAKRAN COAST" . National Geophysical Data Center . November 27, 1945. Retrieved August 8, 2016 . ^ "M 6.7 - New Britain region, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey . December 8, 1945. Retrieved August 8, 2016 . ^ "M 6.7 - New Britain region, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey . December 8, 1945. Retrieved August 9, 2020 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . December 9, 1945. Retrieved August 8, 2016 . ^ "Significant Earthquake: TURKEY: DENIZLI, BURDUR" . National Geophysical Data Center . December 21, 1945. Retrieved August 8, 2016 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . December 23, 1945. Retrieved August 8, 2016 . ^ "M 6.7 - New Britain region, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey . December 27, 1945. Retrieved August 8, 2016 . ^ "M 6.7 - New Britain region, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey . December 27, 1945. Retrieved August 9, 2020 . ^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . December 28, 1945. Retrieved August 8, 2016 .