This is a list of earthquakes in 1940 . 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. Overall, with 13 magnitude 7.0+ events worldwide, this was a fairly busy year. The death toll was substantially lower than 1939. The most significant event in terms of lives lost was in Romania in November with 1,000 deaths. Other quakes in China and Peru resulted in significant fatalities.
Earthquakes in 1940 Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1940
Strongest magnitude Peru , Lima Region (Magnitude 8.2) May 24Deadliest Romania , Vrancea County (Magnitude 7.8) November 10 1,000 deathsTotal fatalities 1,448 9.0+ 0
Note : At least 10 casualties
Rank
Magnitude
Death toll
Location
MMI
Depth (km)
Date
1
8.2
179
Peru , Lima Region
( )
45.0
May 24
2
7.8
1,000
Romania , Vrancea County
( )
90.0
November 10
3
7.7
0
United States , Northern Mariana Islands
( )
15.0
December 28
= 4
7.5
0
United States , Northern Mariana Islands
( )
15.0
January 17
= 4
7.5
10
Japan , eastern Sea of Japan
( )
15.0
August 1
5
7.4
0
United States , Rat Islands , Alaska
( )
65.0
July 14
6
7.3
0
China , Heilongjiang Province
( )
575.0
July 10
7
7.2
0
France , southeast of the Loyalty Islands , New Caledonia
( )
180.0
January 6
8
7.1
0
Bolivia , La Paz Department (Bolivia)
( )
220.0
December 22
= 9
7.0
0
New Hebrides
( )
210.0
February 20
= 9
7.0
0
Japan , southern Sea of Japan
( )
10.0
August 13
= 9
7.0
0
Philippines , southeast of Mindanao
( )
15.0
October 7
= 9
7.0
0
Chile , Chiloé Island , Los Lagos Region
( )
35.0
October 11
Note : At least 7.0 magnitude
January Strongest magnitude 7.5 Mw United States Deadliest 6.0 Mw China 51+ deaths Total fatalities 51+ 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 2 6.0–6.9 2
February Strongest magnitude 7.0 Mw New Hebrides Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 6
March Strongest magnitude 6.6 Mw Philippines Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 0 6.0–6.9 4
April Strongest magnitude 6.9 Mw United States 2 events Deadliest 6.0 Mw China 181 deaths Total fatalities 181 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 0 6.0–6.9 9
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
1 [ 18]
Dutch East Indies , Papua (province)
6.6
35.0
5 [ 19]
Japan , Volcano Islands
6.5
220.0
6 [ 20] [ 21]
China , Yunnan Province
6.0
35.0
VIII
181 people died and another 475 were injured. 11,556 homes were destroyed.
181
475
8 [ 22]
Chile , Valparaíso Region
6.0
35.0
16 [ 23]
United States , Near Islands , Alaska
6.9
30.0
Doublet earthquake .
16 [ 24]
United States , Near Islands , Alaska
6.9
30.0
20 [ 25]
Japan , Shiga Prefecture , Honshu
6.0
400.0
27 [ 26]
New Hebrides , Espiritu Santo
6.5
35.0
Doublet earthquake .
27 [ 27]
New Hebrides , Espiritu Santo
6.5
35.0
May Strongest magnitude 8.2 Mw Peru Deadliest 8.2 Mw Peru 179 deaths Total fatalities 204 8.0–8.9 1 7.0–7.9 0 6.0–6.9 13
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
1 [ 28]
Argentina , Chaco Province
6.2
580.0
4 [ 29]
Iran , Razavi Khorasan province
6.3
15.0
5 [ 30]
Peru , off the coast of northern
6.0
35.0
7 [ 31] [ 32]
Georgian SSR , Imereti
6.5
50.0
16 deaths were caused and some damage was reported.
16
11 [ 33]
British Burma , Sagaing Region
6.5
80.0
19 [ 34] [ 35]
United States , southern California
6.9
6.0
X
9 people died in the 1940 El Centro earthquake . Major damage was caused in the area. Costs were $33 million (1940 rate).
9
19 [ 36]
Russian SFSR , Sea of Okhotsk
6.6
575.0
19 [ 37]
Portuguese Mozambique , Gaza Province
6.2
35.0
21 [ 38]
Fiji
6.5
350.0
24 [ 39] [ 40]
Peru , Lima Region
8.2
45.0
X
1940 Lima earthquake : 179 people were killed and 3,500 were injured. Many homes were destroyed.
179
3,500
24 [ 41]
Peru , Lima Region
6.6
45.0
Aftershock.
27 [ 42]
Afghanistan , Badakhshan Province
6.2
240.0
28 [ 43]
Dutch East Indies , Papua (province)
6.6
35.0
29 [ 44]
Canada , Northwest Territories
6.2
35.0
July Strongest magnitude 7.4 Mw United States Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 2 6.0–6.9 4
August Strongest magnitude 7.5 Mw Japan Deadliest 7.5 Mw Japan 10 deaths Total fatalities 10 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 2 6.0–6.9 4 5.0–5.9 1
September Strongest magnitude 6.8 Mw Philippines Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 0 6.0–6.9 10
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
12 [ 71]
Dutch East Indies , Celebes Sea
6.5
160.0
12 [ 72]
New Guinea , southeast New Ireland (island)
6.6
75.5
18 [ 73]
Chile , Antofagasta Region
6.5
110.0
19 [ 74]
Free France , Loyalty Islands , New Caledonia
6.5
15.0
21 [ 75]
Afghanistan , Badakhshan Province
6.2
250.0
22 [ 76]
Philippines , Mindanao
6.8
640.0
23 [ 77]
Argentina , Salta Province
6.5
550.0
24 [ 78]
Brazil , Acre (state)
6.0
600.0
26 [ 79]
British Solomon Islands , Santa Cruz Islands
6.6
135.0
29 [ 80]
Argentina , Mendoza Province
6.2
110.0
October Strongest magnitude 7.0 Mw 2 events Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 2 6.0–6.9 11
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
1 [ 81]
Chile , Atacama Region
6.5
45.0
3 [ 82]
Chile , Tarapacá Region
6.2
110.0
Foreshock.
4 [ 83]
China , Xizang Province
6.0
35.0
4 [ 84]
Chile , off the coast of Tarapacá Region
6.9
35.0
VII
5 [ 85]
Costa Rica , Puntarenas Province
6.2
35.0
6 [ 86]
Chile , off the coast of Tarapacá Region
6.4
15.0
Aftershock.
7 [ 87]
Philippines , southeast of Mindanao
7.0
15.0
11 [ 88] [ 89]
United States , Kenai Peninsula , Alaska
6.0
0.0
IV
11 [ 90]
Chile , Chiloé Island , Los Lagos Region
7.0
35.0
VII
22 [ 91]
Romania , Vrancea County
6.5
150.0
23 [ 92]
Ecuador , Pastaza Province
6.0
140.0
24 [ 93]
Chile , O'Higgins Region
6.6
45.0
27 [ 94]
Costa Rica , Puntarenas Province
6.6
35.0
November Strongest magnitude 7.8 Mw Romania Deadliest 7.8 Mw Romania 1,000 deaths Total fatalities 1,000 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 3
December Strongest magnitude 7.7 Mw United States Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 2 6.0–6.9 5
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . January 6, 1940. Retrieved June 2, 2016 .
^ "M 7.5 – Mariana Islands region" . United States Geological Survey. January 17, 1940. Retrieved June 2, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . January 19, 1940. Retrieved June 2, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: CHINA: NEI MONGOL" . National Geophysical Data Center . January 19, 1940. Retrieved June 2, 2016 .
^ "M 6.6 – west of the Bonin Islands, Japan" . United States Geological Survey. January 26, 1940. Retrieved June 2, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . February 12, 1940. Retrieved June 2, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . February 12, 1940. Retrieved June 2, 2016 .
^ "M 6.8 – Alaska Peninsula" . United States Geological Survey. February 12, 1940. Retrieved October 31, 2019 .
^ "M 6.8 – Alaska Peninsula" . United States Geological Survey. February 12, 1940. Retrieved October 31, 2019 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . February 20, 1940. Retrieved June 2, 2016 .
^ "M 6.3 – near the north coast of New Guinea, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey. February 24, 1940. Retrieved June 2, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . February 27, 1940. Retrieved June 2, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . February 29, 1940. Retrieved June 2, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . March 9, 1940. Retrieved June 2, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . March 19, 1940. Retrieved June 2, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . March 28, 1940. Retrieved June 2, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . March 31, 1940. Retrieved June 2, 2016 .
^ "M 6.6 – Papua, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey. April 1, 1940. Retrieved June 2, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . April 5, 1940. Retrieved June 2, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . April 6, 1940. Retrieved June 2, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: CHINA: YUNNAN PROVINCE" . National Geophysical Data Center . April 6, 1940. Retrieved June 2, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . April 8, 1940. Retrieved June 2, 2016 .
^ "M 6.9 – Near Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska" . United States Geological Survey. April 16, 1940. Retrieved June 2, 2016 .
^ "M 6.9 – Near Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska" . United States Geological Survey. April 16, 1940. Retrieved June 2, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . April 20, 1940. Retrieved June 2, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . April 27, 1940. Retrieved June 2, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . April 27, 1940. Retrieved June 2, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . May 1, 1940. Retrieved June 5, 2016 .
^ "M 6.3 – northeastern Iran" . United States Geological Survey. May 4, 1940. Retrieved June 5, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . May 5, 1940. Retrieved June 5, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . May 7, 1940. Retrieved June 5, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: TURKEY-CIS" . National Geophysical Data Center . May 7, 1940. Retrieved June 5, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . May 11, 1940. Retrieved June 5, 2016 .
^ "M 6.9 – 4 km N of Holtville, CA" . United States Geological Survey. May 19, 1940. Retrieved June 5, 2016 .
^ "M 6.9 – 4 km N of Holtville, CA" . United States Geological Survey. May 19, 1940. Retrieved November 22, 2019 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . May 19, 1940. Retrieved June 5, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . May 19, 1940. Retrieved June 5, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . May 21, 1940. Retrieved June 5, 2016 .
^ "M 8.2 – near the coast of central Peru" . United States Geological Survey. May 24, 1940. Retrieved June 5, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: PERU" . National Geophysical Data Center . May 24, 1940. Retrieved June 5, 2016 .
^ "M 6.6 – near the coast of central Peru" . United States Geological Survey. May 24, 1940. Retrieved June 5, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . May 27, 1940. Retrieved June 5, 2016 .
^ "M 6.6 – near the north coast of Papua, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey. May 28, 1940. Retrieved June 5, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . May 29, 1940. Retrieved June 5, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . June 3, 1940. Retrieved June 5, 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 – northern Yukon Territory, Canada" . United States Geological Survey. June 5, 1940. Retrieved June 5, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . June 7, 1940. Retrieved June 5, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . June 11, 1940. Retrieved June 5, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . June 12, 1940. Retrieved June 5, 2016 .
^ "M 6.0 – Hawaii region, Hawaii" . United States Geological Survey. June 17, 1940. Retrieved November 22, 2019 .
^ "M 6.0 – Hawaii region, Hawaii" . United States Geological Survey. June 17, 1940. Retrieved November 22, 2019 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . June 18, 1940. Retrieved June 5, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: CHINA: YUNNAN PROVINCE" . National Geophysical Data Center . June 19, 1940. Retrieved June 5, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . June 22, 1940. Retrieved June 5, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . July 6, 1940. Retrieved June 5, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . July 10, 1940. Retrieved June 5, 2016 .
^ "M 7.4 – Rat Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska" . United States Geological Survey. July 14, 1940. Retrieved November 23, 2019 .
^ "M 6.3 – Celebes Sea" . United States Geological Survey. July 21, 1940. Retrieved June 5, 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 – Guatemala" . United States Geological Survey. July 27, 1940. Retrieved June 5, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . July 30, 1940. Retrieved June 5, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . August 1, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "M 7.5 – eastern Sea of Japan" . United States Geological Survey. August 1, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: JAPAN: W. HOKKAIDO ISLAND" . National Geophysical Data Center . August 1, 1940. Retrieved December 2, 2019 .
^ "Tsunami Event: W. HOKKAIDO ISLAND" . National Geophysical Data Center . August 1, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: CHINA: LIAONING PROVINCE" . National Geophysical Data Center . August 5, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . August 7, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "M 7.0 – Sea of Japan" . United States Geological Survey. August 13, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.9 – south of the Aleutian Islands" . United States Geological Survey. August 22, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.9 – south of the Aleutian Islands" . United States Geological Survey. August 22, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . August 26, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . September 12, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.6 – New Britain region, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey. September 12, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . September 18, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 – southeast of the Loyalty Islands" . United States Geological Survey. September 19, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . September 21, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . September 22, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . September 23, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . September 24, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . September 26, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . September 29, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 – Atacama, Chile" . United States Geological Survey. October 1, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . October 3, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . October 4, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "M 7.2 – near the coast of Tarapacá, Chile" . United States Geological Survey. October 4, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . October 5, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.4 – near the coast of Tarapacá, Chile" . United States Geological Survey. October 6, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . October 7, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.0 – Kenai Peninsula, Alaska" . United States Geological Survey. October 11, 1940. Retrieved December 3, 2019 .
^ "M 6.0 – Kenai Peninsula, Alaska" . United States Geological Survey. October 11, 1940. Retrieved December 3, 2019 .
^ "M 6.9 – Isla Chiloe, Los Lagos, Chile" . United States Geological Survey. October 11, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . October 22, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . October 23, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . October 24, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.6 – Costa Rica" . United States Geological Survey. October 27, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . November 7, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "M 7.8 – Romania" . United States Geological Survey. November 10, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: ROMANIA" . National Geophysical Data Center . November 10, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.7 – near the east coast of Honshu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey. November 19, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . November 22, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.3 – Seram, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey. December 4, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.1 – 126 km S of Estacion Coahuila, B.C., MX" . United States Geological Survey. December 7, 1940. Retrieved December 5, 2019 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . December 17, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . December 18, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . December 18, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . December 22, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .
^ "M 7.7 – Mariana Islands region" . United States Geological Survey. December 28, 1940. Retrieved June 8, 2016 .