This is a list of earthquakes in 2002. Only earthquakes of magnitude 6 or above are included, unless they result in significant damage and/or casualties. All dates are listed according to UTC time. The maximum intensities are based on the Modified Mercalli intensity scale. Earthquake magnitudes are based on data from the USGS. Like previous years, seismic activity was relatively moderate in the year 2002, being the first year since 1999 with no magnitude 8.0+ earthquakes. Up to 2,700 people died in earthquakes throughout 2002, most of them due to three relatively moderate but heavily-damaging events in northeastern Afghanistan. The largest earthquake of the year measured Mw 7.9 and struck near Denali in Alaska, making it the most powerful earthquake to strike the United States since 1986, and the largest Alaskan earthquake to occur inland. Other notable events also struck Iran, Turkey, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Italy and the Philippines.
Note that an increase in detected earthquake numbers does not necessarily represent an increase in earthquakes per se. Population increase, habitation spread, and advances in earthquake detection technology all contribute to higher earthquake numbers being recorded over time. USGS's Website has more information.
For exact dates and live earthquakes please visit USGS's Global Earthquake Search Page and Real-time Earthquake Map or EMSC's Real-time Seismicity.
By death toll
Rank
Death toll
Magnitude
Location
MMI
Depth (km)
Date
Event
1
2,000
6.1
Afghanistan, Baghlan
VII (Very strong)
8.0
March 25
2002 Hindu Kush earthquakes
2
261
6.5
Iran, Qazvin
VIII (Severe)
10.0
June 22
2002 Bou'in-Zahra earthquake
3
169
7.4
Afghanistan, Badakhshan
VI (Strong)
225.6
March 3
2002 Hindu Kush earthquakes
4
50
5.9
Afghanistan, Baghlan
VII (Very strong)
10.0
April 12
2002 Hindu Kush earthquakes
5
46
6.5
Turkey, Afyonkarahisar
IX (Violent)
5.0
February 3
2002 Afyon earthquake
6
36
5.3
Papua New Guinea, Morobe
IV (Light)
80.5
April 1
2002 Morobe earthquake and landslide
7
29
5.9
Italy, Molise
VIII (Severe)
10.0
October 31
2002 Molise earthquakes
8
23
6.3
Pakistan, Gilgit-Baltistan
IX (Violent)
33.0
November 20
2002 Gilgit-Baltistan earthquakes
9
15
7.5
Philippines, Soccsksargen offshore
IX (Violent)
31.0
March 5
2002 Mindanao earthquake
10
17
5.4
Pakistan, Gilgit-Baltistan
VII (Very strong)
33.0
November 1
2002 Gilgit-Baltistan earthquakes
Listed are earthquakes with at least 10 dead.
By magnitude
Rank
Magnitude
Death toll
Location
MMI
Depth (km)
Date
Event
1
7.9
0
United States, Alaska
IX (Violent)
4.2
November 3
2002 Denali earthquake
2
7.7
0
Eastern offshore
I (Not felt)
580.0
August 19
-
2
7.7
0
Fiji, Eastern offshore
I (Not felt)
675.4
August 19
-
4
7.6
6
Papua New Guinea, Sandaun offshore
X (Extreme)
13.0
September 8
2002 Sandaun earthquake
4
7.6
8
Indonesia, West Papua offshore
X (Extreme)
10.0
October 10
2002 West Papua earthquake
6
7.5
15
Philippines, Soccsksargen offshore
IX (Violent)
31.0
March 5
2002 Mindanao earthquake
7
7.4
169
Afghanistan, Badakhshan
VI (Strong)
225.6
March 3
2002 Hindu Kush earthquakes
7
7.4
3
Indonesia, Aceh offshore
VIII (Severe)
30.0
November 2
2002 Sumatra earthquake
9
7.3
0
China, Heilongjiang
I (Not felt)
566.0
June 2
-
9
7.3
0
Russia, Sakhalin offshore
III (Weak)
459.1
November 17
-
11
7.2
0
Vanuatu, Shefa offshore
X (Extreme)
21.0
January 2
2002 Port Vila earthquake
12
7.1
5
Taiwan, Yilan offshore
VIII (Severe)
32.8
March 31
2002 Taiwan earthquake
12
7.1
0
Guam offshore
VIII (Severe)
85.7
April 26
-
Listed are earthquakes with at least 7.0 magnitude.
Japan, Okinawa offshore, 110 km (68 mi) S of Ishigaki
6.4
33.0
VI
-
-
-
28
Chile, Antofagasta, 107 km (66 mi) NE of Calama
6.5
125.1
V
Landslides blocked roads and power outages occurred in Pica.
-
-
31
Taiwan, Yilan offshore, 67 km (42 mi) ENE of Hualien City
7.1
32.8
VIII
5
213
April
April
Strongest magnitude
7.1 MwGuam
Deadliest
5.9 Mw Afghanistan 50 deaths
Total fatalities
97
Number by magnitude
9.0+
0
8.0–8.9
0
7.0–7.9
1
6.0–6.9
8
5.0–5.9
84
4.0–4.9
697
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
1
Papua New Guinea, Morobe, 62 km (39 mi) NW of Finschhafen
5.3
80.5
IV
36
11
1
Chile, Coquimbo, 29 km (18 mi) NNW of La Serena
6.4
71.0
VI
Landslides and minor damage in the epicentral area.
-
-
7
Australia, Macquarie Island offshore
6.2
10.0
-
-
-
-
8
Western Indian-Antarctic Ridge
6.2
10.0
-
-
-
-
11
Vanuatu, Torba offshore, 58 km (36 mi) SSE of Sola
6.2
10.0
VIII
-
-
-
12
Afghanistan, Baghlan, 28 km (17 mi) ESE of Nahrin
5.9
10.0
VII
50
150
18
Mexico, Guerrero offshore, 27 km (17 mi) SSW of Nuxco
6.8
24.9
VIII
Two buildings damaged in Mexico City.
-
-
18
Chile, Atacama, 31 km (19 mi) SW of Copiapó
6.7
62.0
VII
Nineteen people injured, 2,424 homeless, 34 homes destroyed, 575 others damaged, rockslides blocked roads, power outages and water lines broken in the Copiapó-Chañaral area.
-
19
20
Fiji region offshore
6.0
33.0
-
-
-
-
20
United States, New York, 8 km (5.0 mi) NNW of Au Sable Forks
5.3
4.8
VII
-
-
22
Peru, Lima, 15 km (9.3 mi) N of Calango
4.4
66.6
IV
One girl died of a heart attack in Lima.
1
-
24
Kosovo, Gjilan, 2 km (1.2 mi) S of Gjilan
5.7
10.0
VII
1
100
24
Southern East Pacific Rise
6.2
10.0
-
-
-
-
24
Iran, Kermanshah, 23 km (14 mi) SW of Sonqor
5.4
33.0
VIII
Two people killed, 56 injured, 10 villages destroyed and 50 others damaged in Kermanshah Province.
2
56
25
Georgia, Kvemo Kartli, 3 km (1.9 mi) N of Didi Lilo
4.8
10.0
VI
7
70
26
Guam offshore, 20 km (12 mi) SSW of Merizo Village
7.1
85.7
VIII
Five people injured, minor damage to buildings, water and sewer lines broke and power outages occurred in Guam.
-
5
May
May
Strongest magnitude
6.4 MwUnited States
Deadliest
5.5 MwTanzania 2 deaths
Total fatalities
3
Number by magnitude
9.0+
0
8.0–8.9
0
7.0–7.9
0
6.0–6.9
7
5.0–5.9
85
4.0–4.9
590
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
8
Tonga, Vava‘u offshore, 99 km (62 mi) NW of Neiafu
6.2
130.8
-
-
-
-
14
Mid-Indian Ridge
6.2
10.0
-
-
-
-
15
Taiwan, Yilan offshore, 21 km (13 mi) SE of Yilan
6.2
10.0
IX
One person killed, another injured and two homes damaged in Dongshan.
1
1
18
Tanzania, Shinyanga, 25 km (16 mi) ENE of Malya
5.5
10.0
VIII
Two people killed, 400 families displaced, 690 huts collapsed and 700 more damaged in Bunda District.
2
-
23
Chile, Coquimbo, 16 km (9.9 mi) S of Ovalle
6.0
52.1
VII
Some homes damaged in San Julián and power outages in the Hurtado-La Serena-Monte Patria-Punitaqui area.
-
-
24
Romania, Caraș-Severin, 2 km (1.2 mi) ESE of Pojejena
4.7
10.0
VI
Five people slightly injured and some buildings damaged in the epicentral area.
-
5
25
United States, Alaska offshore, 159 km (99 mi) SSE of King Cove
6.4
33.0
-
-
-
-
28
Argentina, La Rioja, 39 km (24 mi) S of Arauco
6.0
22.2
VIII
Twenty-seven people injured and 40 homes destroyed in the Aminga-Anillaco-Agua Blanca-Chuquis area. About 50% of homes damaged in Castro Barros Department. Landslides occurred in the epicentral area.
-
27
28
Taiwan, Hualien offshore, 67 km (42 mi) E of Hualien City
6.1
33.0
VI
-
-
-
June
June
Strongest magnitude
7.3 MwChina
Deadliest
6.5 MwIran 261 deaths
Total fatalities
261
Number by magnitude
9.0+
0
8.0–8.9
0
7.0–7.9
1
6.0–6.9
13
5.0–5.9
99
4.0–4.9
697
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
6
Papua New Guinea, New Ireland offshore, 173 km (107 mi) NE of Lorengau
6.3
10.0
-
-
-
-
10
Micronesia, Yap offshore, 136 km (85 mi) N of Fais
6.1
33.0
-
-
-
-
13
Southeast Indian Ridge
6.6
10.0
-
-
-
-
14
Japan, Ibaraki, 9 km (5.6 mi) SSW of Yuki
4.9
51.7
VI
One person injured in Toride. Bullet train service was interrupted on several lines.
-
1
16
Costa Rica, Puntarenas offshore, 55 km (34 mi) WSW of Ciudad Cortés
6.4
35.0
VII
-
-
-
17
Central East Pacific Rise
6.0
10.0
-
-
-
-
17
Vanuatu, Torba, 190 km (120 mi) NW of Sola
6.7
33.0
VII
-
-
-
18
Chile, Coquimbo, 20 km (12 mi) SW of Monte Patria
6.6
54.0
VII
Two homes destroyed in Illapel and another in Monte Patria. Several schools slightly damaged in Limarí Province.
-
-
20
Bangladesh, Rangpur, 8 km (5.0 mi) NNE of Saidpur
4.5
39.8
V
Fifty people injured and damage in Rangpur, five people injured in Thakurgaon and some buildings damaged in Alamnagar.
-
55
21
Papua New Guinea, Madang offshore, 135 km (84 mi) NE of Madang
6.0
33.0
-
-
-
-
22
Iran, Qazvin, 59 km (37 mi) SSW of Abhar
6.5
10.0
VIII
261
1,500
24
Tunisia, Kairouan, 15 km (9.3 mi) SW of Sbikha
5.2
10.0
VII
Twelve people injured and some homes collapsed in Kairouan.
-
12
22
Iran, Hamadan, 71 km (44 mi) E of Qohūrd-e ‘Olyā
4.6
10.0
VI
Aftershock of the 2002 Bou'in-Zahra earthquake. Two people injured in Razan.
-
2
27
Indonesia, Banten offshore, 193 km (120 mi) WSW of Labuan
6.5
11.0
V
-
-
-
27
Vanuatu, Torba, 85 km (53 mi) NW of Sola
6.0
186.7
-
-
-
-
28
China, Heilongjiang, 50 km (31 mi) SW of Dongning
7.3
566.0
I
-
-
-
29
Vanuatu, Torba, 197 km (122 mi) NW of Sola
6.2
33.0
-
Aftershock of the 6.7 event on June 17.
-
-
-
30
South of the Fiji Islands
6.5
620.4
-
-
-
-
July
July
Strongest magnitude
6.5 MwPanama
Total fatalities
0
Number by magnitude
9.0+
0
8.0–8.9
0
7.0–7.9
0
6.0–6.9
4
5.0–5.9
75
4.0–4.9
592
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
3
Papua New Guinea, Madang offshore, 173 km (107 mi) E of Madang
Panama, Chiriquí offshore, 14 km (8.7 mi) SE of Punta de Burica
6.5
10.0
VIII
Eleven people injured, some homes collapsed and many buildings damaged in Barú District, Chiriquí. Buildings damaged in Alanje and David. One wharf damaged in Puerto Armuelles. Eight people injured, six homes collapsed and dozens more damaged in the Laurel-Neily area, Costa Rica.
-
19
August
August
Strongest magnitude
7.7 MwFiji Two events
Total fatalities
0
Number by magnitude
9.0+
0
8.0–8.9
0
7.0–7.9
2
6.0–6.9
11
5.0–5.9
94
4.0–4.9
656
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
2
Japan, Izu Islands offshore
6.3
426.1
I
-
-
-
4
Southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge
6.0
10.0
-
-
-
-
7
Panama, Chiriquí offshore, 20 km (12 mi) S of Punta de Burica
6.0
10.0
VI
Aftershock of the 6.5 event on July 31.
-
-
8
China, Sichuan, 219 km (136 mi) WNW of Kangding
5.3
33.0
V
Eight homes destroyed and 66 damaged in Rulong.
-
-
9
Tonga, Niua offshore, 257 km (160 mi) W of Hihifo
6.1
364.1
-
-
-
-
12
Vanuatu, Tafea offshore, 26 km (16 mi) W of Isangel
6.0
112.2
-
-
-
-
14
Micronesia, Ngulu offshore, 231 km (144 mi) SW of Colonia
6.3
10.0
-
-
-
-
14
Northern Mariana Islands, Rota offshore, 114 km (71 mi) SSE of San Jose Village
6.5
30.0
V
Minor damage to some buildings in Saipan.
-
-
15
Indonesia, Central Sulawesi, 68 km (42 mi) ENE of Poso
6.2
10.0
IX
Forty-eight people injured and several hundred buildings damaged in Tojo Una-Una Regency.
-
48
19
Fiji, Eastern offshore, 421 km (262 mi) SSE of Levuka
7.7
580.0
I
An example of a doublet earthquake.
-
-
19
Fiji, Eastern offshore, 639 km (397 mi) S of Suva
7.7
675.4
I
-
-
19
South of the Fiji Islands
6.1
677.4
-
Aftershock of the 7.7 events.
-
-
20
Japan, Izu Islands offshore
6.3
9.0
-
-
-
-
24
Russia, Sakhalin offshore, 50 km (31 mi) SSE of Nemuro, Japan
6.1
42.6
VII
-
-
-
September
September
Strongest magnitude
7.6 Mw Papua New Guinea
Deadliest
7.6 Mw Papua New Guinea 6 deaths
Total fatalities
10
Number by magnitude
9.0+
0
8.0–8.9
0
7.0–7.9
1
6.0–6.9
14
5.0–5.9
116
4.0–4.9
750
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
1
Yemen, Al Mahrah offshore, 214 km (133 mi) S of Al Ghayz̧ah
6.0
10.0
-
-
-
-
6
Italy, Sicily offshore, 34 km (21 mi) NNE of Santa Flavia
6.0
5.0
VI
Two people died from heart attacks, 20 injured and several buildings damaged in Palermo.
2
20
7
Tonga, Tongatapu offshore, 129 km (80 mi) NW of Nukuʻalofa
6.0
209.9
-
-
-
-
8
South of the Fiji Islands
6.0
618.8
-
-
-
-
8
Papua New Guinea, Sandaun offshore, 68 km (42 mi) ESE of Aitape
7.6
13.0
X
6
70
13
India, Andaman and Nicobar Islands offshore, 152 km (94 mi) NNE of Bamboo Flat
6.5
21.0
IX
Two people killed in Rangat and 40 houses destroyed on Middle Andaman Island. Several buildings damaged in Diglipur. A local tsunami damaged several shops in the Aerial Bay Islands and a lighthouse on East Island.
2
-
15
China, Heilongjiang, 21 km (13 mi) ENE of Chaihe
6.4
586.3
I
-
-
-
16
Papua New Guinea, Sandaun, 41 km (25 mi) ESE of Aitape
6.3
10.0
IX
Aftershocks of the 2002 Sandaun earthquake.
-
-
17
Papua New Guinea, Sandaun offshore, 49 km (30 mi) ESE of Aitape
6.0
10.0
VIII
-
-
20
Indonesia, West Papua, 97 km (60 mi) S of Manokwari
6.0
10.0
VIII
Foreshocks of the 2002 West Papua earthquake. At least 31 homes damaged in Ransiki.
-
-
20
Indonesia, West Papua offshore, 92 km (57 mi) SSE of Manokwari
6.4
10.0
VIII
-
-
22
United Kingdom, England, 2 km (1.2 mi) ESE of Wombourn
4.8
9.4
VI
One person injured in Mansfield. One chimney collapsed and other minor damage in the Dudley area. Items knocked from shelves and utilities disrupted over a wide area in the West Midlands.
-
1
24
Argentina, San Juan, 29 km (18 mi) SE of Calingasta
6.3
119.6
V
One building damaged in Mendoza.
-
-
24
Solomon Islands, Makira-Ulawa offshore, 79 km (49 mi) W of Kirakira
6.1
10.0
VIII
Foreshock of the 6.3 events later that day.
-
-
24
Solomon Islands, Makira-Ulawa offshore, 89 km (55 mi) W of Kirakira
6.3
10.0
VII
An example of a doublet earthquake.
-
-
24
Solomon Islands, Makira-Ulawa offshore, 80 km (50 mi) WSW of Kirakira
6.3
19.0
VII
-
-
25
Mexico, Guerrero offshore, 8 km (5.0 mi) SSW of Los Mogotes
5.3
5.5
VII
Two people injured and some buildings damaged in Acapulco.
-
2
25
Iran, Khuzestan, 6 km (3.7 mi) NNE of Masjed Soleymān
5.6
10.0
VIII
Five people injured, 30 livestock killed and 30% of homes damaged across several villages in the Masjed Soleyman area.
-
5
October
October
Strongest magnitude
7.6 MwIndonesia
Deadliest
5.9 MwItaly 29 deaths
Total fatalities
39
Number by magnitude
9.0+
0
8.0–8.9
0
7.0–7.9
1
6.0–6.9
23
5.0–5.9
116
4.0–4.9
822
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
3
Mexico, Baja California Sur offshore, 111 km (69 mi) ESE of La Rivera
6.5
10.0
VI
-
-
-
3
Indonesia, East Java offshore, 90 km (56 mi) NE of Singaraja
6.0
315.8
IV
-
-
-
4
Fiji region offshore
6.3
621.1
-
-
-
-
6
Indonesia, West Nusa Tenggara offshore, 38 km (24 mi) NNW of Dompu
6.3
10.0
IX
-
-
-
8
Southeast Indian Ridge
6.0
10.0
-
-
-
-
10
Indonesia, West Papua offshore, 102 km (63 mi) SSE of Manokwari
7.6
10.0
X
8
632
10
Indonesia, West Papua, 72 km (45 mi) S of Manokwari
6.7
10.0
VIII
Aftershocks of the 2002 West Papua earthquake.
-
-
10
Indonesia, West Papua, 61 km (38 mi) SSW of Manokwari
6.0
10.0
VIII
-
-
10
Indonesia, West Papua, 68 km (42 mi) S of Manokwari
6.0
10.0
VII
-
-
12
Brazil, Acre, 108 km (67 mi) W of Tarauacá
6.9
534.3
IV
-
-
-
12
Philippines, Central Luzon offshore, 155 km (96 mi) WSW of Palauig
6.1
33.0
II
-
-
-
13
Tonga, Niua offshore, 166 km (103 mi) SSE of Mata Utu, Wallis and Futuna
6.1
10.0
-
-
-
-
14
Japan, Aomori offshore, 87 km (54 mi) E of Mutsu
6.1
61.4
VI
-
-
-
16
Russia, Kamchatka Krai, 76 km (47 mi) NE of Ozernovskiy
6.2
102.4
VI
-
-
-
16
Tonga, Niua offshore, 85 km (53 mi) ENE of Hihifo
6.0
33.0
-
-
-
-
17
Fiji region offshore
6.2
627.6
-
-
-
-
17
Indonesia, Papua, 119 km (74 mi) SSW of Abepura
6.3
33.0
VIII
-
-
-
18
Pacific–Antarctic Ridge
6.1
10.0
-
-
-
-
19
Indonesia, Papua, 123 km (76 mi) SSW of Abepura
6.0
33.0
VIII
Aftershock of the 6.3 event on October 17.
-
-
19
Russia, Sakhalin offshore, 194 km (121 mi) ESE of Kuril’sk
6.3
33.0
-
-
-
-
22
Fiji region offshore
6.2
549.0
-
-
-
-
23
United States, Alaska, 53 km (33 mi) ENE of Cantwell
6.6
4.2
VIII
Foreshock of the 2002 Denali earthquake. Damage in Cantwell, rockfalls and snow avalanches observed in the epicentral area, and ground cracks observed in the Denali Highway roadbed.
Papua New Guinea, Manus offshore, 137 km (85 mi) SSE of Lorengau
6.3
10.0
V
-
-
-
23
Honduras, Bay Islands offshore, 63 km (39 mi) NNE of Savannah Bight
6.0
33.0
VI
-
-
-
24
Iran, Kermanshah, 24 km (15 mi) SSW of Sonqor
5.2
33.0
V
Fifteen people injured and 3,000 homes previously damaged by the 5.4 event on April 24 collapsed in Kermanshah Province.
0
15
25
China, Xinjiang, 64 km (40 mi) W of Kashgar
5.7
10.0
VIII
Several homes destroyed, some buildings damaged and a landslide blocked a highway in Ulugqat County.
-
-
25
Afghanistan, Baghlan, 53 km (33 mi) NE of Bazarak
5.5
90.8
IV
Dozens of buildings slightly damaged in Jalalabad.
-
-
30
Philippines, Zamboanga Peninsula offshore, Tabina
6.3
10.0
IX
-
-
-
See also
Earth sciences portal
Lists of 21st-century earthquakes
List of earthquakes 2001–2010
Lists of earthquakes by year
Lists of earthquakes
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