List of earthquakes in 1915

Earthquakes in 1915

Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1915 4.0−5.9 magnitude 6.0−6.9 magnitude 7.0−7.9 magnitude 8.0+ magnitude
Strongest magnitude	Kuril Islands, Russia May 1 (Magnitude 7.8)
Deadliest	Avezzano, Italy January 13 (Magnitude 6.7) 29,978 deaths
Total fatalities	30,155
Number by magnitude
9.0+	0
8.0−8.9	0
7.0−7.9	15
6.0−6.9	27
5.0−5.9	0
← 1914 1916 →

This is a list of earthquakes in 1915. 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. In January a major earthquake struck Italy causing 30,000 deaths. There were also many earthquakes in Japan and the Kuril Islands during this year.

Overall

By death toll

Rank	Death toll	Magnitude	Location	Depth (km)	Date
1	29,978	6.7	Abruzzo, Italy	15.0	January 13
2	170	6.5	, Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh, India border	15.0	December 3

• Note: At least 10 casualties

By magnitude

Rank	Magnitude	Death toll	Location	Depth (km)	Date
1	7.8	0	Kuril Islands, Russia	30.0	May 1
2	7.4	0	Chalatenango Department, El Salvador	80.0	September 7
3	7.3	0	Vanuatu	200.0	January 5
3	7.3	0	southwestern Ryukyu Islands, Japan	150.0	January 5
3	7.3	0	southwestern Ryukyu Islands, Japan	20.0	February 28
3	7.3	0	Oruro Department, Bolivia	160.0	June 6
3	7.3	0	off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia	20.0	July 31
4	7.2	0	Hokkaido, Japan	35.0	March 17
5	7.1	0	Fiji	600.0	February 25
5	7.1	0	north Pacific Ocean	0.0	August 6
5	7.1	0	border of Baja California and Sonora, Mexico	0.0	November 21
6	7.0	0	Izu Islands, Japan	200.0	October 8
6	7.0	0	off the east coast of Honshu, Japan	30.0	November 1
6	7.0	0	off the east coast of Honshu, Japan	35.0	November 1
6	7.0	0	off the east coast of Honshu, Japan	35.0	November 18

• Note: At least 7.0 magnitude

Notable events

January–March

• A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck Vanuatu on January 5 at a depth of 200.0 km.^[1]
• A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck the southwestern Ryukyu Islands, Japan on January 5 at a depth of 150.0 km.^[2]
• A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck Abruzzo, Italy on January 13 at a depth of 15.0 km.^[3] The death toll from this event was put at 29,978 and damages of $60 million (1915 rate) was reported.^[4]
• A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Fiji on February 25 at a depth of 600.0 km.^[5]
• A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck the southwestern Ryukyu Islands, Japan on February 28 at a depth of 20.0 km.^[6]
• A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck off the east coast of Honshu, Japan on March 8 at a depth of 0.0 km.^[7]
• A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck eastern Masbate Island, Philippines on March 12 at a depth of 40.0 km.^[8]
• A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck south of Hokkaido, Japan on March 17 at a depth of 35.0 km.^[9]

April–June

• A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Amazonas (Brazilian state), Brazil on April 23 at a depth of 650.0 km.^[10]
• A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Bayankhongor Province, Mongolia on April 30 at a depth of 35.0 km.^[11]
• A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the Kuril Islands, Russia on May 1 at a depth of 30.0 km.^[12]
• A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck the southern end of the Mozambique Channel on May 8 at a depth of 0.0 km.^[13]
• A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck Lakes (state), South Sudan on May 21 at a depth of 35.0 km.^[14]
• A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck off the east coast of Honshu, Japan on June 4 at a depth of 35.0 km.^[15]
• A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck Oruro Department, Bolivia on June 6 at a depth of 160.0 km.^[16]
• On June 23 two magnitude 6.3 earthquakes struck within an hour in the Imperial Valley, California. The depths of the events were unknown. Six deaths were reported in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico and damage costs were estimated at $900,000 (1915 rate). This is an example of a doublet earthquake.^[17][18]
• A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck the Kuril Islands, Russia on June 27 at a depth of 35.0 km.^[19]

July–September

• A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck in the Tyrrhenian Sea just off the southern coast of Italy on July 7 at a depth of 300.0 km.^[20]
• A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia on July 31 at a depth of 20.0 km.^[21]
• A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck in the north Pacific Ocean east of the Kuril Islands, Russia on August 6 at a depth of 0.0 km.^[22]
• A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck the Ionian Sea on August 7 at a depth of 14.0 km. Heavy damage was caused on several islands in the Ionian Sea. Many homes were destroyed and some were damaged.^[23]
• A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck the western side of Sulawesi, Indonesia on August 12 at a depth of 60.0 km.^[24]
• A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck the Nicobar Islands, India on August 12 at a depth of 35.0 km.^[25]
• A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Chalatenango Department, El Salvador on September 7 at a depth of 80.0 km.^[26]
• A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck the Celebes Sea on the side nearer to the Philippines on September 11 at a depth of 600.0 km.^[27]
• A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck the Southern Region (Eritrea) on September 23 at a depth 10.0 km.^[28]

October–December

• A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck to the south of Winnemucca, Nevada on October 3 at a depth of 10.0 km.^[29] Damage was caused and there was also some major changes to the landscape of the area.^[30]
• A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the Izu Islands, Japan on October 8 at a depth of 200.0 km.^[31]
• A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck north of Puerto Rico on October 11 at a depth of 0.0 km.^[32]
• A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck off the east coast of Honshu, Japan on October 12 at a depth of 35.0 km.^[33]
• A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck off the east coast of Honshu, Japan on November 1 at a depth of 30.0 km.^[34] Some damage was caused.^[35]
• A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck off the east coast of Honshu, Japan on November 1 at a depth of 35.0 km.^[36]
• A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck off the east coast of Honshu, Japan on November 1 at a depth of 35.0 km.^[37]
• A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Biak, Indonesia on November 6 at an unknown depth.^[38]
• A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck off the east coast of Honshu, Japan on November 18 at a depth of 35.0 km.^[39]
• A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck off the west coast of Luzon, Philippines on November 18 at an unknown depth. A few homes were damaged.^[40]
• A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the border of Baja California and Sonora, Mexico on November 21 at a depth of 0.0 km.^[41]
• , A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck the border of Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh, India on December 3 at a depth of 15.0 km.^[42] One-hundred and seventy deaths were reported and many homes were destroyed.^[43]
• A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck off the east coast of Honshu, Japan on December 6 at a depth of 35.0 km.^[44]
• A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Xinjiang Province, China on December 17 at a depth of 20.0 km.^[45]
• A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck Ocotepeque Department, Honduras on December 29 at an unknown depth. At least one person was killed and many homes were destroyed.^[46]

References

1. "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. January 5, 1915. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
2. "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. January 5, 1915. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
3. "M6.7 - central Italy". United States Geological Survey. January 13, 1915. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
4. "Significant Earthquake ITALY: MARSICA, AVEZZANO, ABRUZZI". National Geophysical Data Center. January 13, 1915. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
5. "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. February 25, 1915. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
6. "M7.3 - southwestern Ryukyu Islands, Japan". United States Geological Survey. February 28, 1915. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
7. "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. March 8, 1915. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
8. "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. March 12, 1915. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
9. "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. March 17, 1915. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
10. "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. April 23, 1915. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
11. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. April 30, 1915. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
12. "M7.8 - Kuril Islands". United States Geological Survey. May 1, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
13. "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. May 8, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
14. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. May 21, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
15. "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. June 4, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
16. "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. June 6, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
17. "Historical earthquakes". United States Geological Survey. June 23, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
18. "Significant Earthquake CALIFORNIA: EL CENTRO". National Geophysical Data Center. June 23, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
19. "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. June 27, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
20. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. July 7, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
21. "M7.3 - near the east coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia". United States Geological Survey. July 31, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
22. "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. August 6, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
23. "Significant Earthquake GREECE: KEFALLONIA ISLAND, ITHACA ISLAND". National Geophysical Data Center. August 7, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
24. "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. August 12, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
25. "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. August 12, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
26. "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. September 7, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
27. "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. September 11, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
28. "M6.2 - Eritrea-Ethiopia border region". United States Geological Survey. September 23, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
29. "M6.8 - Nevada". United States Geological Survey. October 3, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
30. "Historical Earthquakes". United States Geological Survey. October 3, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
31. "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. October 8, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
32. "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. October 11, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
33. "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. October 12, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
34. "M7.0 - off the east coast of Honshu, Japan". United States Geological Survey. November 1, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
35. "Significant Earthquake JAPAN: NEAR E COAST HONSHU". National Geophysical Data Center. November 1, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
36. "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. November 1, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
37. "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. November 1, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
38. "Significant Earthquake INDONESIA: NW. IRIAN JAYA". National Geophysical Data Center. November 6, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
39. "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. November 18, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
40. "Significant Earthquake PHILIPPINES: W. LUZON ISLAND". National Geophysical Data Center. November 18, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
41. "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. November 21, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
42. "M6.5 - Bhutan". United States Geological Survey. December 3, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
43. "Significant Earthquake CHINA: TIBET (XIZANG PROVINCE)". National Geophysical Data Center. December 3, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
44. "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. December 6, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
45. "M6.5 - Kyrgyzstan-Xinjiang border region". United States Geological Survey. December 17, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
46. "Significant Earthquake EL SALVADOR: AHUACHAPAN,ATACO,APANECA". National Geophysical Data Center. December 29, 1915. Retrieved November 29, 2015.