This is a list of earthquakes in 1968. 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. Maximum intensities are indicated on the Mercalli intensity scale and are sourced from United States Geological Survey (USGS) ShakeMap data. There was a large resurgence in activity in 1968. 22 magnitude 7.0+ earthquakes struck various parts of the planet. The largest of these was a magnitude 8.2 event in Japan in May. Large aftershocks struck the area following the mainshock. New Zealand and Indonesia had some upheaval during the year. The high activity contributed to over 12,000 deaths across the world. The vast majority of this total was caused by a destructive event in Iran in August with nearly 10,500 deaths. Events in the Philippines, Italy and Indonesia also had significant fatalities.
Earthquakes in 1968
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Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1968
4.0–5.9 magnitude
6.0–6.9 magnitude
7.0–7.9 magnitude
8.0+ magnitude
Strongest magnitude
Japan, off the east coast of Honshu (Magnitude 8.2) May 16
Despite being a moderate magnitude there was some property damage. Costs were $2 million (1968 rate).
6
Chile, Atacama Region
6.4
30.0
VI
13
Taiwan, off the east coast
6.1
35.0
IV
15
Italy, Sicily
6.4
10.0
X
216 people were killed and 563 were injured in the 1968 Belice earthquake. Extensive destruction was caused in the area with costs reported at $320 million (1968 rate).
216
563
19
United Kingdom, Solomon Islands
6.7
27.5
V
25
Italy, Sicily
5.1
33.0
8 people were killed and 55 more were injured. Some damage was reported. Aftershock.
1 person was killed and another was injured. Some property damage was caused.
1
1
April
April
Strongest magnitude
7.5 MwJapan
Deadliest
5.3 MwIran 38 deaths
Total fatalities
39
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.9
0
7.0–7.9
1
6.0–6.9
4
5.0–5.9
1
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
1
Japan, off the east coast of Kyushu
7.5
34.2
VIII
1 person was killed and 22 were injured in the 1968 Hyuga-nada earthquake. Some homes were destroyed in both the earthquake and a subsequent tsunami.
1
22
1
Japan, off the east coast of Kyushu
6.8
30.0
VI
Aftershock.
9
United States, southern California
6.6
10.0
IX
Some damage was caused by the 1968 Borrego Mountain earthquake.
26
Western Samoa
6.2
30.0
26
Mexico, Michoacan
6.1
30.0
VI
29
Iran, West Azerbaijan province
5.3
34.0
VII
38 people were killed and 100 were injured. 1,000 homes were destroyed. Damage costs were $1 million (1968 rate).
38
100
May
May
Strongest magnitude
8.2 MwJapan
Deadliest
8.2 MwJapan 52 deaths
Total fatalities
55
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.9
1
7.0–7.9
5
6.0–6.9
6
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
14
Japan, Ryukyu Islands
6.7
160.1
V
16
Japan, off the east coast of Honshu
8.2
29.9
VIII
52 people were killed and 330 were injured in the 1968 Tokachi earthquake. A tsunami was generated which contributed to the destruction. 1,218 homes were destroyed. Damage costs were $131 million (1968 rate). A large number of aftershocks followed. To prevent cluttering only those measuring above magnitude 6.5 will be listed.
52
330
16
Japan, off the northeast coast of Honshu
7.9
25.0
VII
Aftershock.
16
Japan, off the east coast of Honshu
6.5
25.0
Aftershock.
16
Japan, off the east coast of Honshu
6.5
43.0
Aftershock.
19
Japan, off the east coast of Honshu
6.3
20.0
South of the aftershock sequence from May 16 event.
20
New Zealand, Kermadec Islands
7.0
55.0
Doublet earthquake.
20
New Zealand, Kermadec Islands
6.9
50.0
20
Soviet Union, Kuril Islands, Russia
7.0
28.3
23
New Zealand, South Island
7.2
20.0
IX
The 1968 Inangahua earthquake caused 3 deaths and $3 million (1968 rate) worth of damage.
3
24
Japan, off the east coast of Honshu
6.6
27.6
Aftershock.
28
Indonesia, Papua (province)
7.5
45.0
VIII
June
June
Strongest magnitude
7.0 MwJapan
Deadliest
6.8 MwPeru 15 deaths
Total fatalities
15
Number by magnitude
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
7
Indonesia, Central Sulawesi
6.7
35.0
VII
7
Indonesia, South Sulawesi
6.2
38.0
VI
Aftershock.
12
Japan, off the east coast of Honshu
7.0
32.1
VI
Aftershock of May 16 event.
19
Peru, Loreto Region
6.8
15.0
VII
15 people were killed and some property damage was caused. Costs were $100,000 (1968 rate).
15
July
July
Strongest magnitude
7.3 MwNew Zealand
Total fatalities
0
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.9
0
7.0–7.9
1
6.0–6.9
6
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
1
Japan, Saitama Prefecture, Honshu
6.1
60.6
VI
2
Mexico, Guerrero
6.4
57.9
VI
2
Indonesia, Papua (province)
6.0
45.0
V
5
Japan, off the east coast of Honshu
6.3
47.0
IV
25
New Zealand, Kermadec Islands
7.3
45.0
VI
Some damage was caused.
29
Indonesia, West Papua (province)
6.2
20.0
V
30
Peru, off the north coast of
6.5
31.8
VI
August
August
Strongest magnitude
7.6 Mw 2 events
Deadliest
7.1 MwIran 10,488 deaths
Total fatalities
10,976
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.9
0
7.0–7.9
6
6.0–6.9
9
5.0–5.9
0
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
1
Philippines, Luzon
7.6
25.0
IX
The 1968 Casiguran earthquake caused 270 deaths and 261 injuries. Some homes were destroyed and many were damaged. Costs were around $8 million (1968 rate). A tsunami was generated which left 1 person dead.
270
261
2
Mexico, Oaxaca
7.3
25.0
VIII
18 people were killed. Property damage was $2.4 million (1968 rate).
18
3
Japan, Ryukyu Islands
6.7
15.0
VI
3
Philippines, Luzon
6.4
25.0
VI
Aftershock.
4
Philippines, off the east coast of Mindanao
6.1
100.0
IV
5
Japan, off the west coast of Shikoku
6.8
45.7
VII
10
Indonesia, Molucca Sea
7.6
23.0
IX
Some damage was caused.
10
Indonesia, Molucca Sea
6.5
25.0
Aftershock.
14
Mexico, offshore Michoacan
6.0
20.0
VI
14
Indonesia, Minahassa Peninsula
7.2
20.0
IX
200 people were killed and 58 were injured in a tsunami triggered by the 1968 Sulawesi earthquake. 800 homes were destroyed.
200
58
18
United Kingdom, Solomon Islands
7.3
543.1
III
21
New Zealand, Kermadec Islands
6.5
15.0
23
Bolivia, Tarija Department
6.3
533.6
28
Philippines, off the east coast of Luzon
6.4
20.0
V
Aftershock.
31
Iran, South Khorasan province
7.1
10.0
X
The 1968 Dasht-e Bayaz and Ferdows earthquakes caused major destruction in northeast Iran. 10,488 people were killed and over 17,000 were injured. 12,000 homes were destroyed. $35 million (1968 rate) of costs were reported.
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