Rank
Death toll
Magnitude
Location
MMI
Depth (km)
Date
Event
1
1,567
7.3
Iran , Khorasan
X (Extreme)
10.0
May 10
1997 Qayen earthquake
2
1,100
6.1
Iran , Ardabil
IX (Violent)
10.0
February 28
1997 Ardabil earthquake
3
100
7.1
Pakistan , Harnai
VIII (Severe)
33.0
February 28
1997 Harnai earthquake
4
100
6.5
Iran , North Khorasan
VIII (Severe)
8.0
February 4
1997 Bojnurd earthquake
5
81
6.7
Venezuela , Sucre
VIII (Severe)
20.0
July 9
1997 Cariaco earthquake
6
38
5.8
India , Madhya Pradesh
VIII (Severe)
38.7
May 22
1997 Jabalpur earthquake
7
23
6.1
India , Mizoram
V (Moderate)
54.0
21 November
1997 Chittagong earthquake
7
18
5.9
Indonesia , Sulawesi
VI (Strong)
33.0
September 28
-
8
15
5.0
South Africa , North West Province
VII (Very Strong )
5.0
July 21
-
8
15
4.9
Pakistan , Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
IV (Light )
50.0
March 19
-
9
12
5.9
China , Xinjiang
VII (Very Strong )
33.0
January 21
1997 Jiashi earthquakes
10
11
6.0
Italy , Umbria
X (Extreme)
10.0
September 26
1997 Umbria and Marche earthquake
At least 10 dead.
January Strongest 7.2 Mw Mexico Deadliest 5.9 Mw China 12 deaths Total fatalities 13 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 2 6.0–6.9 1
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
5[ 1]
India , Uttarakhand
5.6
33.0
V
In neighboring Nepal , many houses were damaged in the western part of the country.
-
-
9[ 2]
Kyrgyzstan , Naryn
5.8
22.2
VII
At least ten homes were destroyed and 400 others damaged.
-
-
11[ 3]
Mexico , Michoacan
7.2
33.0
VIII
One person was killed and extensive damage occurred in Arteaga .
1
-
12[ 4]
Albania , Fier
4.8
10.0
VI
More than 70 houses were damaged in Berat District .
-
-
21[ 5]
China , Xinjiang
5.9
33.0
VII
Twelve people were killed, forty injured and 2,500 families were displaced during the 1997 Jiashi earthquakes . About 14,000 homes were destroyed, 17,000 additional homes damaged and 3,360 livestock were killed in Jiashi County .
12
40
22[ 6]
United States , Northern California offshore
5.6
23.0
V
Slight damage occurred in Petrolia and Scotia .
-
-
22[ 7]
Turkey , Hatay
5.7
10.0
VII
Five people were injured and ten houses were damaged at Antakya .
-
5
23[ 8]
Bolivia , Potosí
7.1
276.2
V
-
-
29[ 9]
Vanuatu , Torba offshore
6.2
33.0
I
-
-
-
February Strongest 7.1 Mw Pakistan Deadliest 6.1 Mw Iran 1,100 deaths Total fatalities 1,300 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 3
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
4[ 10]
Iran , North Khorasan
6.5
10.0
IX
A hundred people lost their lives in this earthquake, and around 2,000 were injured in the 1997 Bojnurd earthquake . 5,500 houses were destroyed and 11,000 were damaged in Bojnurd .
100
2,000
7[ 11]
Tonga , Pangai offshore
6.4
28.0
I
-
-
-
19[ 12]
Colombia , Chocó
5.8
100.7
IV
Some minor damage to buildings was caused in Armenia and Pereira .
-
-
27[ 13]
Pakistan , Balochistan
7.1
33.0
VIII
100 people died in the 1997 Harnai earthquake . Hundreds of others were injured and 500 homes were destroyed.
100
300+
28[ 14]
Iran , Ardabil
6.1
10.0
IX
1,100 people were killed, 2,600 were injured and 12,000 houses were destroyed in the 1997 Ardabil earthquake .
1,100
2,600
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
1[ 15]
China , Xinjiang
5.6
22.4
VII
Two people were killed, six injured, 4,000 houses were destroyed and 738 livestock were killed in Jiashi County .
2
6
4[ 16]
Japan , Shizuoka
5.6
10.0
VI
Three people were injured in Itō .
-
3
4[ 17]
Pakistan , Balochistan
5.7
33.0
VI
One person was injured and damage occurred in Sibi .
-
1
6[ 18]
Ghana , Accra
4.4
10.0
VI
Seven people were injured and power outages occurred in Accra .
-
7
11[ 19]
Philippines , Mindanao offshore
6.9
10.0
V
Some damage occurred in Cagayan de Oro .
-
-
17[ 20]
Indonesia , Banten offshore
6.4
33.0
VI
Some minor damage occurred in Jakarta .
-
-
19[ 21]
Pakistan , Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
4.9
50.0
IV
15 people were killed, several others were injured and several houses were damaged in Bajaur .
15
Several
25[ 22]
Chile , Región Metropolitana
5.5
84.0
VI
Some buildings were damaged, power outages and landslides occurred in Santiago .
-
-
26[ 23]
United States , Alaska , Rat Islands offshore
6.7
33.0
IV
-
-
-
26[ 24]
Lebanon , Beirut
5.0
10.0
VII
Fifty buildings were damaged in Beirut .
-
-
26[ 25]
Brazil , Acre
6.1
602.6
I
-
-
-
26[ 26]
Japan , Kyushu
6.1
10.0
IX
22 people were injured and many houses were damaged in Kagoshima Prefecture .
-
22
April Strongest 7.7 Mw Vanuatu Deadliest 6.2 Mw China 9 deaths Total fatalities 9 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 10
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
1[ 27]
Panama , south of
6.1
33.0
V
-
-
-
1[ 28]
Chile , Tarapaca Region
6.2
113.8
V
Landslides and power outages occurred near the epicenter. This pair of earthquakes occurring only minutes apart can be considered a doublet earthquake .
-
-
1[ 29]
Chile , Tarapaca Region
6.2
115.6
V
2[ 30]
Trinidad and Tobago , Tobago offshore
6.1
45.0
V
It is a foreshock of the 6.7 quake on April 22. Slight damage was observed.
-
-
5[ 31]
Papua New Guinea , Morobe
6.5
69.1
VI
-
-
-
6[ 32]
China , Xinjiang
6.0
33.0
VI
It is a foreshock of the 6.2 quake 5 days later.
-
-
11[ 33]
China , Xinjiang
6.2
15.0
VII
It is a largest of an earthquake swarm that started in January 21. At least 9 people were killed, 89 injured, 100,000 homeless, thousands of buildings were destroyed and 11,000 livestock killed in Jiashi County .
9
89
21[ 34]
Vanuatu , Sola offshore
7.7
33.0
VII
A tsunami with a height of 3 m (9.8 ft) caused some damage to houses in Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands . On Funafuti , Tuvalu , and Suva , Fiji , a smaller tsunami was observed.
-
-
22[ 35]
Trinidad and Tobago , Tobago offshore
6.7
5.0
VII
Three houses were destroyed and two people were injured.
-
2
23[ 36]
Iran , Fars
4.8
33.0
IV
Some houses were damaged in the epicentral area.
-
-
23[ 37]
Guam offshore
6.5
100.5
VII
Four people suffered injuries and some damage occurred on Guam .
-
4
28[ 38]
South Africa , Prince Edward Islands offshore
6.8
10.0
I
-
-
-
May Strongest 7.3 Mw Iran Deadliest 7.3 Mw Iran 1,567 deaths Total fatalities 1,608 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 2 6.0–6.9 7
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
1[ 39]
Mexico , Jalisco offshore
6.9
33.0
I
-
-
-
3[ 40]
New Zealand , Kermadec Islands offshore
6.9
108.3
I
-
-
-
8[ 41]
India , Manipur
6.0
34.9
VII
Several people were injured and some damage occurred in Sylhet , Bangladesh .
-
Several
10[ 42]
Iran , Qayen
7.3
10.0
X
The 1997 Qayen earthquake . caused severe damage throughout eastern Iran . 1,567 people were killed and 2,300 injured, including five in Afghanistan . However, this figure may be as high as 2,394.
1,567
2,300
11[ 43]
West Chile Rise
6.5
10.0
I
-
-
-
13[ 44]
Japan , Kyushu
6.1
33.0
VIII
34 people were injured and five houses were destroyed in Kyushu .
-
34
13[ 45]
Iran , Qayen
4.5
10.0
V
It was an aftershock of the 7.3 earthquake on May 10, One person was killed and further damage was caused.
1
-
13[ 46]
Afghanistan , Hindu Kush region
6.5
196.0
IV
One person was injured in Kabul . Another was killed and eleven others injured in Peshawar , Pakistan.
1
12
17[ 47]
China , Xinjiang
4.9
33.0
IV
One person was injured in Jiashi County .
-
1
21[ 48]
Vanuatu , Isangel offshore
6.8
57.0
VI
-
-
-
21[ 49]
India , Madhya Pradesh
5.8
36.0
VIII
The 1997 Jabalpur earthquake caused major damage, killing 38 and injuring a thousand others.
38
1,000
21[ 50]
Spain , Galicia
5.4
18.8
VII
One person died of a heart attack and minor damage was caused in Galicia.
1
-
22[ 51]
Mexico , Michoacan
6.5
70.0
VI
Many houses were damaged at Arteaga and a church were damaged at Patzcuaro , Michoacan.
-
-
22[ 52]
Philippines , Babuyan Islands offshore
6.1
33.9
VI
-
-
-
25[ 53]
New Zealand , Kermadec Islands offshore
7.1
332.7
I
-
-
-
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
6[ 62]
Chile , Coquimbo offshore
6.8
19.0
VI
-
-
-
6[ 63]
Honduras , Cortes offshore
6.1
33.0
VI
-
-
-
9[ 64]
Venezuela , Sucre
7.0
19.9
VIII
81 people were killed and 683 injured in the 1997 Cariaco earthquake . Extensive damage and landslides occurred.
81
683
11[ 65]
Indonesia , Java offshore
6.0
574.4
I
-
-
-
14[ 66]
Japan , Hokkaido offshore
6.1
33.0
V
-
-
-
18[ 67]
Azerbaijan , Ganja Qazakh
4.2
33.0
III
5,000 houses were damaged in Noyemberyan , Armenia .
-
-
19[ 68]
Mexico , Oaxaca
6.9
33.0
VII
-
-
-
21[ 69]
South Africa , North West Province
5.0
5.0
VII
Fifteen people were killed and 46 were injured due to a mine collapse near Stilfontein .
15
46
October Strongest 7.8 Mw Tonga Deadliest 7.1 Mw Chile 8 deaths Total fatalities 8 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 3 6.0–6.9 8
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
3[ 84]
Italy , Umbria
5.3
10.0
VII
It is an aftershock of the 1997 Umbria and Marche earthquake . Further damage was caused and 20 people were injured.
-
20
3[ 85]
Iran , Fars
5.3
33.0
V
Six people injured and several houses damaged in the epicentral area.
-
6
6[ 86]
Philippines , Mindanao
6.5
105.6
V
-
-
-
13[ 87]
Greece , Peloponnese
6.4
24.0
VI
Minor damage occurred in southern Peloponnese.
-
-
14[ 88]
Tonga , south of Tongatapu
7.8
167.3
VII
-
-
-
14[ 89]
Italy , Umbria
5.5
10.0
VIII
One person was injured and further damage was caused to buildings already weakened by the September 26 event. Slight damage occurred in Rome .
-
1
14[ 90]
Chile , Coquimbo
7.1
58.0
VII
The 1997 Punitaqui earthquake caused eight deaths (five in Pueblo Nuevo , and one each in La Chimba , Punitaqui , and Coquimbo ) and 400 injuries. More than 20,700 houses were damaged or destroyed.
8
400
28[ 91]
Peru , Amazonas
7.2
112.0
VII
Slight damage occurred in Chachapoyas .
-
-
November Strongest 7.5 Mw China Deadliest 6.1 Mw India 23 deaths Total fatalities 24 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 3 6.0–6.9 9
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
3[ 92]
Turkey , Bitlis
4.8
33.0
IV
Two people were injured and seven houses were destroyed in Bitlis .
-
2
3[ 93]
Chile , Coquimbo
6.2
45.0
VI
It is an aftershock of the 1997 Punitaqui earthquake . Further damage was caused and landslides occurred in the epicentral area.
-
-
5[ 94]
Greece , Central Greece
5.6
23.8
VI
Power outages occurred in the Galaxidion -Itea area.
-
-
6[ 95]
Canada , Quebec
4.8
22.5
V
One person died of a heart attack.
1
-
8[ 96]
China , Tibet
7.5
33.0
VII
1997 Manyi earthquake
-
-
8[ 97]
El Salvador , Cabañas
6.5
176.4
IV
-
-
-
14[ 98]
Taiwan , Hualien
5.2
33.0
IV
One person was injured by a landslide in a highway between Hualien and Su'ao .
-
1
15[ 99]
Japan , Hokkaido
6.1
161.0
IV
-
-
-
15[ 100]
Vanuatu , Sanma offshore
7.0
123.1
VI
-
-
-
15[ 101]
Greece , Ionian Islands offshore
6.6
33.0
VII
Several people injured and considerable damage to buildings at Amalias , Gargalianoi , Kalamai , Kiparissia , Meligalas , Pirgos and other parts of western Peloponnisos . One house destroyed on Zakinthos .
-
Several
21[ 102]
India , Mizoram
6.1
54.4
V
Despite being centered in Mizoram, India, the 1997 Chittagong earthquake caused damage in neighboring Bangladesh . 23 people were killed and another 200 were injured when a five-story building collapsed in Chittagong . Damage was also observed in other parts of the country.
23
200
25[ 103]
Indonesia , Gorontalo
7.0
24.0
VI
At least 90 buildings were damaged in Gorontalo .
-
-
28[ 104]
Bolivia , La Paz
6.7
586.0
I
-
-
-
December Strongest 7.8 Mw Russia Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 2 6.0–6.9 11
↑ "M 5.6 – 1 km E of Dh?rchula, India" .
↑ "M 5.8 – Kyrgyzstan" .
↑ "M 7.2 – 46 km WNW of El Habillal, Mexico" .
↑ "M 4.8 – 3 km WNW of Lushnjë, Albania" .
↑ "M 5.9 – 86 km E of Kashgar, China" .
↑ "M 5.6 – 33 km SW of Scotia, California" .
↑ "M 5.7 – 11 km WNW of Toygarl?, Turkey" .
↑ "M 7.1 – 16 km NW of Villazón, Bolivia" .
↑ "M 6.2 – 166 km NW of Sola, Vanuatu" .
↑ "M 6.5 – Turkmenistan-Iran border region" .
↑ "M 6.4 – 111 km E of Pangai, Tonga" .
↑ "M 5.8 – 19 km ESE of Sipí, Colombia" .
↑ "M 7.1 – 29 km ESE of Harnai, Pakistan" .
↑ "M 6.1 – 24 km SSW of Om?dcheh, Iran" .
↑ "M 5.6 – 73 km E of Kashgar, China" .
↑ "M 5.6 – 9 km SSW of Ito, Japan" .
↑ "M 5.7 – 55 km NW of Dera Bugti, Pakistan" .
↑ "M 4.4 – 6 km S of Gbawe, Ghana" .
↑ "M 6.9 – 121 km E of Kinablangan, Philippines" .
↑ "M 6.4 – 43 km SW of Labuan, Indonesia" .
↑ "M 4.9 – 29 km SE of ?sm?r, Afghanistan" .
↑ "M 5.5 – 3 km SE of Villa Presidente Frei, Ñuñoa, Santiago, Chile, Chile" .
↑ "M 6.7 – 273 km WSW of Adak, Alaska" .
↑ "M 5.0 – 3 km WNW of Nabatîyé et Tahta, Lebanon" .
↑ "M 6.1 – 115 km SSW of Tarauaca, Brazil" .
↑ "M 6.1 – 16 km NE of Satsumasendai, Japan" .
↑ "M 6.1 – 53 km SSW of Boca Chica, Panama" .
↑ "M 6.2 – 73 km SE of Palca, Peru" .
↑ "M 6.2 – 90 km SE of Palca, Peru" .
↑ "M 6.1 – 33 km NW of Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago" .
↑ "M 6.5 – 49 km W of Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea" .
↑ "M 6.0 – 87 km E of Kashgar, China" .
↑ "M 6.2 – 82 km E of Kashgar, China" .
↑ "M 7.7 – 171 km NNW of Sola, Vanuatu" .
↑ "M 6.7 – 18 km WSW of Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago" .
↑ "M 4.8 – 60 km SSE of F?r?z?b?d, Iran" .
↑ "M 6.5 – 49 km N of Yigo Village, Guam" .
↑ "M 6.8 – Prince Edward Islands region" .
↑ "M 6.9 – 228 km WSW of La Cruz de Loreto, Mexico" .
↑ "M 6.9 – Kermadec Islands region" .
↑ "M 6.0 – 11 km WNW of Kar?mganj, India" .
↑ "M 7.3 – 58 km E of Qayen, Iran" .
↑ "M 6.5 – West Chile Rise" .
↑ "M 6.1 – 1 km WNW of Satsumasendai, Japan" .
↑ "M 4.5 – 71 km ESE of Qayen, Iran" .
↑ "M 6.5 – 51 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan" .
↑ "M 4.9 – 84 km E of Kashgar, China" .
↑ "M 6.8 – 99 km S of Isangel, Vanuatu" .
↑ "M 5.8 – 1 km SSW of Barela, India" .
↑ "M 5.4 – 3 km NW of Becerreá, Spain" .
↑ "M 6.5 – 5 km ENE of Churumuco de Morelos, Mexico" .
↑ "M 6.1 – 38 km NNE of Namuac, Philippines" .
↑ "M 7.1 – south of the Kermadec Islands" .
↑ "M 6.5 – southern East Pacific Rise" .
↑ "M 6.1 – 85 km N of Lae, Papua New Guinea" .
↑ "M 6.4 – 195 km WSW of Adak, Alaska" .
↑ "M 5.6 – 29 km SSE of Termas de Río Hondo, Argentina" .
↑ "M 5.6 – 90 km SE of B?rjand, Iran" .
↑ "M 5.9 – 35 km NE of Q?'en, Iran" .
↑ "M 5.9 – 17 km E of Hagi, Japan" .
↑ "M 5.1 – 14 km SSE of Fern Forest, Hawaii" .
↑ "M 6.8 – 52 km WSW of Coquimbo, Chile" .
↑ "M 6.1 – 30 km NNW of Baja Mar, Honduras" .
↑ "M 7.0 – 26 km WSW of Carúpano, Venezuela" .
↑ "M 6.0 – 87 km N of Batang, Indonesia" .
↑ "M 6.1 – 65 km E of Nemuro, Japan" .
↑ "M 4.2 – 6 km ESE of Voskevan, Armenia" .
↑ "M 6.9 – 4 km ENE of El Ciruelo, Mexico" .
↑ "M 5.0 – 4 km W of Klerksdorp, South Africa" .
↑ "M 4.5 – 24 km WNW of Karayaz?, Turkey" .
↑ "M 6.3 – 161 km NNE of Derby, Australia" .
↑ "M 4.8 – 29 km WNW of Yongchuan, China" .
↑ "M 6.0 – 47 km ENE of Meulaboh, Indonesia" .
↑ "M 5.0 – 5 km SSE of F?r?z?b?d, Iran" .
↑ "M 6.6 – 64 km NNE of Angoram, Papua New Guinea" .
↑ "M 6.8 – 24 km SW of Roncesvalles, Colombia" .
↑ "M 6.8 – south of the Fiji Islands" .
↑ "M 6.2 – 23 km ESE of Barcelona, Philippines" .
↑ "M 3.8 – 2 km E of Trumann, Arkansas" .
↑ "M 7.0 – Kermadec Islands region" .
↑ "M 5.7 – 6 km WSW of Serravalle di Chienti, Italy" .
↑ "M 6.0 – 3 km SSE of Nocera Umbra, Italy" .
↑ "M 5.9 – 28 km NNE of Parepare, Indonesia" .
↑ "M 5.3 – 3 km ENE of Valtopina, Italy" .
↑ "M 5.3 – 60 km ENE of Ger?sh, Iran" .
↑ "M 6.5 – 18 km E of Talisay, Philippines" .
↑ "M 6.4 – 47 km SSE of Koróni, Greece" .
↑ "M 7.8 – 192 km WSW of Haveluloto, Tonga" .
↑ "M 5.5 – 8 km NNW of Sellano, Italy" .
↑ "M 7.1 – 36 km SW of Monte Patria, Chile" .
↑ "M 7.2 – 51 km N of Barranca, Peru" .
↑ "M 4.8 – 8 km NW of Ahlat, Turkey" .
↑ "M 6.2 – 16 km S of Ovalle, Chile" .
↑ "M 5.6 – 10 km NW of Galaxídhion, Greece" .
↑ "M 4.8 – 4 km W of L'Ancienne-Lorette, Canada" .
↑ "M 7.5 – western Xizang" .
↑ "M 6.5 – 13 km NNE of San Sebastián, El Salvador" .
↑ "M 5.2 – 32 km NE of Hualien City, Taiwan" .
↑ "M 6.1 – 19 km NNW of Shibetsu, Japan" .
↑ "M 7.0 – 34 km ESE of Port-Olry, Vanuatu" .
↑ "M 6.6 – 22 km SW of Lithakiá, Greece" .
↑ "M 6.1 – 42 km SW of Saiha, India" .
↑ "M 7.0 – 97 km NW of Gorontalo, Indonesia" .
↑ "M 6.7 – 97 km NE of Sandia, Peru" .
↑ "M 7.8 – 156 km S of Ust'-Kamchatsk Staryy, Russia" . United States Geological Survey .
↑ "M 6.4 – 22 km WSW of Roncesvalles, Colombia" . United States Geological Survey .
↑ "M 6.6 – Rat Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska" . United States Geological Survey .
↑ "M 7.2 – 117 km N of Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey .