Earthquakes in 2010 resulted in nearly 165,000 fatalities. Most of these were due to the 2010 Haiti earthquake, which caused an estimated 160,000 deaths, making it the 8th deadliest earthquake in recorded history. Other deadly quakes occurred in China, Indonesia or Turkey. The 2010 Chile earthquake registered 8.8 on the moment magnitude scale, ranking it as the 6th strongest earthquake since 1900. The tsunami associated with the Chile earthquake caused tsunami advisories and warning across the entire Pacific Ocean rim, also known as the Ring of Fire.
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.
Solomon Islands, Western offshore, 127 km SE of Gizo
6.8
15.4
VII
Aftershocks of the January 3 event.
-
-
5
Solomon Islands, 155 km SE of Gizo
6.0
35.0
V
-
-
9
Solomon Islands, 142 km SE of Gizo
6.2
12.0
V
-
-
9
United States, California offshore, 35 km WNW of Ferndale
6.5
29.3
VII
-
24
10
Indonesia, Java, 66 km SSW of Singaparna
5.1
65.2
IV
-
1
-
12
Haiti, Ouest, 10 km SE of Léogâne
7.0
13.0
X
The 2010 Haiti earthquake was one of the deadliest earthquakes in recorded history.
100,000 to 316,000
-
12
Haiti, Ouest, 4 km E of Grand-Goâve
6.0
10.0
VII
Aftershock of the January 12 event. It occurred seven minutes after the main shock.
-
-
17
China, Guizhou, 77 km S of Anshun
4.4
26.6
IV
-
8
-
17
Drake Passage
6.3
5.0
II
-
-
-
17
China, eastern Sichuan
5.1
10.0
VI
-
1
-
February
February
Strongest magnitude
8.8 MwChile
Deadliest
8.8 MwChile 525 deaths
Total fatalities
527
Number by magnitude
9.0+
0
8.0–8.9
1
7.0–7.9
2
6.0–6.9
20
5.0–5.9
279
4.0–4.9
878
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
1
Papua New Guinea, Bougainville Island, 115 km WNW of Panguna
6.2
32.0
V
-
-
-
5
Southeast Indian Ridge
6.2
1.0
-
-
-
-
6
Russia, Kuril Islands
6.0
30.0
-
-
-
-
7
Japan, Okinawa, 109 km SSW of Ishigaki
6.3
21.0
IV
-
-
-
9
Tonga, Niuatoputapu, 104 km NNE of Hihifo
6.1
10.0
III
-
-
-
13
Tonga, 'Eua, 65 km NNE of 'Ohonua
6.1
11.0
-
-
-
-
15
East Timor, 238 km NE of Lospalos
6.2
126.0
IV
-
-
-
18
Russia, Primorsky Krai, 15 km SSW of Kraskino
6.9
577.7
-
This earthquake struck near Russia's border with China and North Korea.
-
-
22
Tonga, 'Eua, 277 km SSW of 'Ohonua
6.0
15.0
-
-
-
-
26
Japan, Okinawa, 70 km SE of Haebaru
7.0
25.0
VI
This earthquake caused some damage and two injuries. A tsunami warning was issued for the Okinawa prefecture.
-
2
27
Chile, Ñuble Region, Itata Province, 36 km WNW of Quirihue
8.8
22.9
VIII
The 2010 Chile earthquake was the largest event of 2010, and the most significant earthquake to impact Chile since the 1960 Valdivia earthquake. It had a robust aftershock sequence, and tsunami warnings were issued in 53 countries. 350 of the 525 deaths that were attributed to this earthquake were caused by a tsunami wave of approximately 24.1 m (79 ft) that struck the coastal town of Constitución.
525
-
27
Argentina, Salta Province, 5 km NE of Campo Quijano
6.3
10.0
V
The 2010 Salta earthquake was once thought to be an aftershock of the 8.8 event, but it was later deemed to be a separate event.
2
Dozens
Note: Eleven aftershocks with magnitudes of 6.0 or higher were recorded in February following the magnitude 8.8 earthquake that struck Chile on February 27. In order to eliminate cluttering, the February aftershocks have not been included.
March
March
Strongest magnitude
7.0 MwChile
Deadliest
6.1 MwTurkey 42-57 deaths
Total fatalities
43-58
Number by magnitude
9.0+
0
8.0–8.9
0
7.0–7.9
1
6.0–6.9
22
5.0–5.9
264
4.0–4.9
1,262
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
3
Chile, Biobío Region, 25 km WNW of Talcahuano
6.1
20.0
VII
Aftershock of the 8.8 event on February 27
-
-
4
Taiwan, Tainan, 41 km SE of Yujing District
6.3
21.0
VI
The 2010 Kaohsiung earthquake caused minor damage and over 90 injuries.
-
90+
4
Chile, Valparaíso Region, 50 km WSW of Valparaíso
6.0
24.2
V
Aftershock of the 8.8 earthquake on February 27
-
-
4
Vanuatu, Torba Province, 48 km NW of Sola
6.5
176.0
IV
-
-
4
Chile, Antofagasta Region, 66 km ENE of Calama
6.3
114.0
IV
-
-
-
5
Chile, Biobío Region, 14 km NW of Talcahuano
6.1
29.9
V
Aftershock of the 8.8 event on February 27
-
-
5
Chile, Biobío Region, 23 km WNW of Talcahuano
6.6
18.0
VII
Aftershock of the 8.8 event on February 27
-
-
5
Indonesia, Bengkulu, 141 km W of Bengkulu
6.8
26.0
IV
-
-
-
7
southern East Pacific Rise
6.3
18.0
-
-
-
-
8
Turkey, Erzurum Province, 10 km SSW of Karaçoban
6.1
12.0
VI
2010 Elazığ earthquake
42-57
74
8
Northern Mariana Islands, Maug Islands region
6.1
427.0
-
-
-
-
11
Chile, O'Higgins Region, 61 km NW of Santa Cruz
6.9
11.0
VII
The 2010 Pichilemu earthquakes are likely aftershocks of the 8.8 event on February 27. Both of them occurred within sixteen minutes of each other. The first earthquake occurred minutes before Sebastián Piñera was sworn in as President of Chile. One person died of a heart attack in Talca, Maule Region.
1
-
11
Chile, O'Higgins Region, 52 km NW of Santa Cruz
7.0
18.0
VII
11
Chile, O'Higgins Region, 61 km WNW of Santa Cruz
6.0
31.5
VI
Aftershock of the 2010 Pichilemu earthquakes that occurred eleven minutes after the 7.0 event
-
-
14
Indonesia, Seram, 202 km NNW of Amahai
6.4
53.0
V
-
-
-
14
Japan, Fukushima Prefecture, 592 km ENE of Namie
6.5
32.0
VI
-
-
-
15
Chile, Ñuble Region, 76 km NW of Quirihue
6.2
14.0
IV
Aftershock of the 8.8 earthquake on February 27
-
-
16
Chile, Biobío Region, 52 km NNW of Tomé
6.7
18.0
V
Aftershock of the 8.8 earthquake on February 27
-
-
20
Papua New Guinea, New Ireland Province
6.6
414.6
-
-
-
-
25
Philippines, Occidental Mindoro, 2 km SW of Lubang
6.0
16.6
V
-
-
-
26
Chile, Atacama Region, 69 km N of Vallenar
6.3
42.0
V
-
-
-
28
Chile, Maule Region, 88 km W of Constitución
6.0
29.9
IV
Aftershock of the 8.8 earthquake on February 27
-
-
30
India, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 217 km N of Bombooflat
6.6
30.9
VI
-
-
-
April
April
Strongest magnitude
7.8 Mw, Indonesia
Deadliest
6.9 Mw, China 2,698 deaths
Total fatalities
2,713
Number by magnitude
9.0+
0
8.0–8.9
0
7.0–7.9
2
6.0–6.9
15
5.0–5.9
133
4.0–4.9
750
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
2
Chile, Ñuble Region, 25 km WNW of Quirihue
6.0
24.0
VI
Aftershock of the 8.8 earthquake on February 27
-
-
4
Mexico, Baja California, 25 km S of Guadalupe Victoria
7.2
10.0
IX
35,000 people lost their homes in the 2010 Baja California earthquake.
4
254+
5
Indonesia, Minahasa Regency, 164 km S of Tondano
6.2
25.0
-
-
-
-
6
Indonesia, Karo Regency, 75 km E of Mount Sinabung
7.8
31.0
VII
2010 Banyak Islands earthquake
0
62
7
Papua New Guinea, Sandaun Province, 82 km SSW of Aitape
6.0
23.0
VI
-
-
-
10
Tonga, 155 km NW of Nukuʻalofa
6.0
273.2
-
-
-
-
11
Solomon Islands, Makira-Ulawa Province, 99 km WSW of Kirakira
6.9
21.0
V
-
-
-
11
Spain, Granada, 1 km S of Nigüelas
6.3
609.8
III
-
-
-
13
China, Tibet Autonomous Region, 233 km NNW of Chamdo
6.9
17.8
IX
2010 Yushu earthquake
2,698
12,135
14
China, Tibet Autonomous Region, 239 km NNW of Chamdo
6.1
7.6
VII
Largest aftershock of the 2010 Yushu earthquake. It occurred one hour and thirty-six minutes after the main shock.
-
-
17
Papua New Guinea, Morobe Province, 33 km E of Lae
6.2
53.0
VI
-
-
-
18
Afghanistan, Balkh Province, 130 km SSE of Mazar-i-Sharif
5.6
13.0
VI
More than 2,000 houses were destroyed in the 2010 Afghanistan earthquake.
11
70+
21
Tonga, Niuatoputapu, 97 km NE of Hihifo
6.1
35.0
IV
-
-
-
23
Chile, Biobío Region, 26 km W of Nacimiento
6.0
32.0
VI
Aftershock of the 8.8 quake on February 27
-
-
24
Indonesia, Maluku, 181 km NNW of Amahai
6.0
27.0
V
-
-
-
26
Japan offshore, Okinawa Prefecture, 245 km SSW of Ishigaki
6.5
22.0
IV
-
-
-
30
United States, Bering Sea
6.5
12.0
-
Doublet event. The two earthquakes occurred nearly five minutes apart.
-
-
30
United States, Bering Sea
6.3
14.9
-
-
-
May
May
Strongest magnitude
7.2 Mw
Deadliest
5.3 Mw 2 deaths
Total fatalities
2
Number by magnitude
9.0+
0
8.0–8.9
0
7.0–7.9
2
6.0–6.9
14
5.0–5.9
125
4.0–4.9
693
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
3
Japan offshore, Izu Islands
6.1
84.0
-
-
-
-
3
Chile, Biobío Region, 30 km S of Cañete
6.3
19.0
VII
Aftershock of the 8.8 event on February 27
-
-
5
Indonesia, Bengkulu, 132 km W of Bengkulu
6.5
27.0
V
-
-
-
6
Peru, Tacna Region, 32 km WSW of Tacna
6.2
37.0
VI
-
-
-
14
Algeria, M'Sila, 38 km W of Sidi Aïssa
5.3
2.0
VI
This is the first and largest of three events of the 2010 Beni-Ilmane earthquakes that occurred from May 13 to May 23.
2
43
19
Pacific-Antarctic Ridge
6.0
10.0
-
Doublet; the two earthquakes occurred twenty-one minutes apart.
-
-
19
Pacific-Antarctic Ridge
6.0
10.0
-
-
-
23
Peru, Department of Ayacucho, 4 km WNW of Sacsamarca
6.1
101.4
V
-
-
-
24
Brazil, Acre, 87 km W of Tarauacá
6.5
581.2
VI
-
-
-
25
Mid-Atlantic Ridge
6.3
10.0
-
-
-
-
26
Japan offshore, Okinawa, 216 km ESE of Uruma
6.5
10.0
IV
-
-
-
27
Vanuatu, Torba Province, 100 km WNW of Sola, Vanuatu
7.2
31.0
VI
-
-
-
27
Vanuatu, Torba Province, 90 km WNW of Sola
6.1
35.0
V
Aftershock. It occurred three hours and thirty-four minutes after the main shock.
-
-
31
Philippines, Bangsamoro, 38 km WNW of Cotabato City
6.0
20.0
VI
-
-
-
31
India, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 98 km SE of Port Blair
6.5
112.0
V
-
-
-
June
June
Strongest magnitude
7.5 Mw, Nicobar Islands, India
Total fatalities
18
Number by magnitude
7.0–7.9
2
6.0–6.9
10
5.0–5.9
125
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Costa Rica on June 1.
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Vanuatu on June 9.
A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck the Nicobar Islands, India on June 12.
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck the coast Papua, Indonesia on June 16.
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the coast near Papua, Indonesia on June 16, killing 17 and damaging hundreds of homes.
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck the coast near Papua, Indonesia on June 16.
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck 135 miles SSW of L'Esperance Rock, Kermadec Islands on June 17.
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck the Kuril Islands on June 18.
A magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck Quebec, Canada on June 23.
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck the New Britain region of Papua New Guinea on June 24.
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck the Solomon Islands on June 26.
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck south of Fiji on June 30.
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Oaxaca, Mexico, on June 30, killing one person.
July
July
Strongest magnitude
7.6 Mw, Philippines
Total fatalities
1
Number by magnitude
7.0–7.9
4
6.0–6.9
15
5.0–5.9
136
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck in the Vanuatu region on July 2.
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck near the east coast of Honshu on July 4.
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck south of the Mariana Islands on July 10.
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Calama, Chile on July 12.
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Bío Bío, Chile on July 14.
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck the Fox Islands, Alaska on July 18.
A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck the New Britain Region, Papua New Guinea on July 18.
A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck the New Britain Region, Papua New Guinea on July 18.
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck the Fox Islands, Alaska on July 18.
A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck Southern Iran on July 20, killing 1 person.
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck the New Britain Region, Papua New Guinea on July 20.
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Indonesia on July 21.
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Vanuatu, on July 22.
A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck Mindanao, Philippines on July 23.
A magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck Mindanao, Philippines on July 23.
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Mindanao, Philippines on July 23.
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Mindanao, Philippines on July 24.
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck Mindanao, Philippines on July 29.
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck off the coast of Kamchatka, Russia on July 30.
A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck Northeastern Iran on July 30.
August
August
Strongest magnitude
7.3 Mw, Vanuatu
Total fatalities
3
Number by magnitude
7.0–7.9
3
6.0–6.9
15
5.0–5.9
133
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck the Molucca Sea on August 3.
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Tonga on August 4.
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Papua New Guinea on August 4.
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck the Aleutian Islands, Alaska on August 4.
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck New Britain, Papua New Guinea on August 4.
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck the Kuril Islands on August 4.
A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck Vanuatu on August 10.
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Pastaza Province in Ecuador on August 12.
A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck the Mariana Islands on August 13.
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck the Mariana Islands on August 14.
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck the Mariana Islands on August 14.
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck New Britain, Papua New Guinea on August 15.
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Réunion on August 16.
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck the Fiji on August 16.
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck the Mariana Islands on August 18.
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Papua New Guinea on August 20.
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Jalisco, Mexico on August 23.
A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck Damghan in northern Iran on August 27. This killed 3 people and also injured 40 others.
September
September
Strongest magnitude
7.2 Mw, Indonesia
Total fatalities
3
Number by magnitude
7.0–7.9
2
6.0–6.9
8
5.0–5.9
135
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck the Andreanof Islands, Alaska on September 3.
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island on September 4, killing 2 people.
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Tonga on September 4.
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck in the Fiji region on September 7.
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Vanuatu, on September 8.
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Biobío Region, Chile, on September 9.
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Hindu Kush, Afghanistan on September 17.
A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck southern Iran on September 26, killing 1 person.
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake stuck near the south coast of Papua, Indonesia on September 26.
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck near the south coast of Papua, Indonesia on September 29.
A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck near the south coast of Papua, Indonesia on September 29.
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck the Ryukyu Islands, Japan on October 4.
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck the Andreanof Islands, Alaska, on October 8.
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck the Andreanof Islands, Alaska, on October 8.
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Halmahera, Indonesia on October 8.
A magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck Pakistan on October 10, killing 1 person.
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Tonga on October 12.
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck the Kepulauan Barat Daya region of Indonesia on October 17.
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck Los Mochis in the Gulf of California, Mexico, on October 21.
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck the Molucca Sea on October 25.
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Sumatra, Indonesia on October 25, killing 408 and leaving 303 people missing.
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Sumatra, Indonesia on October 25.
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge on October 30.
November
November
Strongest magnitude
6.8 Mw, Japan
Total fatalities
2
Number by magnitude
6.0–6.9
6
5.0–5.9
137
A magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck Kraljevo, Serbia on November 3, killing 2 and injuring over 100.
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck near the south coast of Papua, Indonesia on November 3.
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Tonga on November 3.
A magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck western Iran, injuring 100 people.
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck the Southeast Indian Ridge on November 10.
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake occurred in the South Pacific Ocean on November 21.
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Papua New Guinea on November 23.
A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck the Bonin Islands, Japan on November 30.
December
December
Strongest magnitude
7.4 Mw Japan
Deadliest
6.7 MwIran 11 deaths
Total fatalities
14
Number by magnitude
8.0–8.9
0
7.0–7.9
2
6.0–6.9
11
5.0–5.9
268
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck the Fiji region on December 1.
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck the New Britain region of Papua New Guinea on December 2.
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck the South Sandwich Islands region on December 8.
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea on December 13.
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck Southeastern Iran on December 20, killing 11 and injuring 100+, also damaging 1,800+ homes.
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck the Molucca Sea on December 15.
A magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck Ethiopia on December 19, injuring 26 and causing extensive damage.
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Bonin Islands, Japan Region on December 21.
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck the Bonin Islands, Japan Region on December 22.
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck the Aleutian Islands, Alaska on December 23.
A magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck Puerto Rico on December 24.
A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck the South Pacific region near Vanuatu on December 25. Four people were injured by a tsunami in Tanna, which had a maximum height of 4.1 m (13 ft).
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Vanuatu on December 26.
A magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck Christchurch, New Zealand, on December 26.
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck the Fiji islands on December 28.
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck Vanuatu on December 29.
A magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck Poland on December 30. Three miners were killed by falling rocks.
See also
Lists of 21st-century earthquakes
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