Earthquakes in 1983 Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1983
Strongest magnitude Papua New Guinea , southeast of New Ireland (island) , (Magnitude 7.6) March 18Deadliest Turkey , Erzurum Province , (Magnitude 6.8) October 30Total fatalities 2,608 9.0+ 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 14 6.0–6.9 125 5.0–5.9 1,664 4.0–4.9 3,517
This is a list of earthquakes in 1983 . Only earthquakes of magnitude 6 or above are included, unless they result in damage and/or casualties, or are notable for some other reason. Events in remote areas will not be listed but included in statistics and maps. Countries are entered on the lists in order of their status in this particular year. 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.
By death toll [ edit ] Rank Death toll Magnitude Location MMI Depth (km) Date 1 1,342 6.8 Turkey , Erzurum Province IX (Violent ) 11.6 October 30 2 663 6.3 Guinea , Boke Region IX (Violent ) 11.3 December 22 3 350 5.5 Colombia , Cauca Department VIII (Severe ) 22.2 March 31 4 104 7.4 Japan , eastern Sea of Japan VIII (Severe ) 23.7 May 26 5 34 5.7 China , Shandong Province VII (Very strong ) 19.0 November 6 6 30 5.2 Iran , Mazandaran Province IV (Light ) 33.0 March 25 7 26 7.4 Afghanistan , Badakhshan Province VII (Very strong ) 214.5 December 30 8 16 6.5 Philippines , Luzon VIII (Severe ) 28.8 August 17 9 12 4.7 Yugoslavia , Skopje Statistical Region , North Macedonia VII (Very strong ) 24.4 February 25 10 10 7.0 Peru , Department of Amazonas, Peru VII (Very strong ) 104.2 April 12 10 10 6.4 Papua New Guinea , East New Britain Province VI (Strong ) 26.0 December 22
Listed are earthquakes with at least 10 dead.
By magnitude [ edit ] Rank Magnitude Death toll Location MMI Depth (km) Date 1 7.6 0 Papua New Guinea , southeast of New Ireland VII (Very strong ) 88.8 March 18 2 7.4 104 Japan , eastern Sea of Japan VIII (Severe ) 23.7 May 26 2 7.4 5 Chile , Atacama Region VIII (Severe ) 14.8 October 4 2 7.4 26 Afghanistan , Badakhshan Province VII (Very strong ) 214.5 December 30 5 7.3 0 Indonesia , Banda Sea VI (Strong ) 178.5 November 24 5 7.3 0 United Kingdom , Chagos Archipelago VI (Strong ) 10.0 November 30 7 7.2 0 United Kingdom , South Sandwich Islands ( ) 24.0 October 22 8 7.1 6 Costa Rica , Puntarenas Province VIII (Severe ) 37.0 April 3 8 7.1 0 Soviet Union , Kamchatka Peninsula , Russia VII (Very strong ) 62.6 August 17 10 7.0 0 Greece , Ionian Islands VIII (Severe ) 14.3 January 17 10 7.0 0 New Zealand , Kermadec Islands ( ) 238.0 January 26 10 7.0 10 Peru , Department of Amazonas, Peru VII (Very strong ) 104.2 April 12 10 7.0 0 Iran , Sistan and Baluchistan Province VII (Very strong ) 64.0 April 18 10 7.0 0 Guatemala , off the west coast VII (Very strong ) 67.1 December 2
Listed are earthquakes with at least 7.0 magnitude.
By month [ edit ] January [ edit ] January Strongest magnitude 7.0 Mw 2 events reached this magnitude Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 2 6.0–6.9 11 5.0–5.9 155 4.0–4.9 382
February [ edit ]
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties Dead Injured 12 [12] [13] Philippines , southeast of Mindanao 6.3 51.0 IV 13 [14] [15] [16] China , Xinjiang Province 6.2 16.1 VIII 2 injuries were reported as well as damage. 2 13 [17] [18] United States , north of Guam 5.7 105.0 IV 1 person was injured and minor damage was reported. 1 14 [19] [20] United States , southeast of Alaska Peninsula 6.5 47.0 V 20 [21] [22] Philippines , southeast of Mindanao 6.4 60.5 IV 25 [23] [24] [25] Yugoslavia , Skopje Statistical Region , Macedonia SR 4.7 24.4 VII 12 people died after suffering heart attacks. Some damage was reported with costs reaching $500,000 (1983 rate). 12 25 [26] [27] Chile , Arica y Parinacota Region 6.9 146.0 VI Minor damage was caused. 26 [28] [29] Soviet Union , Districts under Central Government Jurisdiction , Tajikistan 5.3 49.2 VII Major damage was caused. 27 [30] [31] Japan , Chiba Prefecture , Honshu 5.9 78.3 V 11 people were injured. 11
March Strongest magnitude 7.6 Mw Papua New Guinea Deadliest 5.5 Mw Colombia 350 deaths Total fatalities 381 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 9 5.0–5.9 119 4.0–4.9 321
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties Dead Injured 8 [32] [33] Venezuela , off the coast of Sucre (state) 5.9 82.4 IV 10 people were injured whilst evacuating buildings. 10 10 [34] Soviet Union , Kuril Islands , Russia 6.2 33.0 12 [35] [36] Indonesia , south of Ambon Island 6.0 33.0 V Foreshock to following event. 12 [37] [38] [39] Indonesia , south of Ambon Island 6.7 16.9 VI Some damage was reported. A tsunami was observed locally. 15 [40] [41] Japan , Shizuoka Prefecture , Honshu 5.3 43.2 IV 1 person was killed and 2 were injured. Some damage was reported. 1 2 15 [42] [43] Philippines , southeast of Mindanao 6.7 41.0 IV 18 [44] [45] [46] Papua New Guinea , southeast of New Ireland (island) 7.6 88.8 VII Property damage and landslides were caused by the shaking. A tsunami was observed in the area. 20 [47] [48] Papua New Guinea , southeast of New Ireland (island) 6.4 80.1 VI Aftershock of March 18 event. 21 [49] [50] Tonga , southwest of Tongatapu 6.7 68.0 VI 23 [51] [52] [53] Greece , Ionian Islands 6.4 19.1 VII 7 people were injured. 160 homes sustained damage. Aftershock of January 17 event. 7 25 [54] [55] [56] Iran , Mazandaran Province 5.2 33.0 IV 30 people were killed and 61 were hurt. Many homes were damaged with costs reaching $5 million (1983 rate). 30 61 31 [57] [58] [59] Colombia , Cauca Department 5.5 22.2 VIII Despite the moderate magnitude the 1983 Popayan earthquake caused major destruction in the area. Up to 350 people died and 1,200 were injured. $410.9 million (1983 rate) worth of damage was caused. 350 1,200
May Strongest magnitude 7.4 Mw Japan Deadliest 7.4 Mw Japan 104 deaths Total fatalities 104 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 3 6.0–6.9 4
June Strongest magnitude 6.9 Mw Vietnam Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 0 6.0–6.9 6
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties Dead Injured 3[79] Costa Rica , 17 Km South of Pejibaye 6.5 33.0 VII 2 people were killed and 60 were injured. 2 60 5[80] France , Southeast of the Loyalty Islands , New Caledonia 6.5 33.0 III - - - 5[81] Turkey , 10 Km North of Biga 6.1 10.0 IX The 1983 Biga earthquake Killed 5 People and Injured 26 More. 5 26 11[82] United Kingdom , South Shetland Islands 6.9 10.0 IV - - - 12[83] United States , 37 Km Northwest of Tatitlek , Alaska 6.6 37.0 VI Some Damage Occurred in Valdez - - 24[84] Soviet Union , 82 Km North of Yelizovo , Russia 6.2 180.4 IV - - - 24[85] Indonesia , 49 Km North of Komodo 6.4 48.1 VI - - -
August Strongest magnitude 7.1 Mw Russia Deadliest 6.5 Mw Philippines 16 deathsTotal fatalities 16 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 4
September [ edit ]
October [ edit ] October Strongest magnitude 7.4 Mw Chile Deadliest 6.8 Turkey 1,342 deaths Total fatalities 1,349 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 2 6.0–6.9 5
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties Dead Injured 4[95] Chile , Atacama Region 7.4 14.8 VIII At least 5 people were killed, and 24 people were injured. 5 24 6[96] Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic , 94 km southeast of Kurchatov 6.0 1.0 II This earthquake was caused by an Underground nuclear explosion - - 15[97] Solomon Islands offshore, 58 km West of Gizo 6.5 7.4 VI - - - 16[98] Indonesia , 231 Northwest of Gorontalo 6.5 40.1 VII At least 17 buildings had collapsed in the epicentral area. - - 22 United Kingdom , South Sandwich Islands 7.2 24.0 VI - - - 28[99] United States , Idaho 6.9 10.0 IX The 1983 Borah Peak earthquake was the largest earthquake ever recorded in Idaho , 2 people were killed with an equal amount injured. 2 2 30[100] Turkey , 27 km East of Narman 6.8 11.6 IX The 1983 Erzurum earthquake completely destroyed 50 villages in Erzurum and Kars , 1,342 people were Killed and 534 people were injured. 1,342 534
References [ edit ] ^ "M 6.3 - 42 km S of Desaguadero, Peru" . United States Geological Survey . January 1, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 6.4 - Tonga" . United States Geological Survey . January 8, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 6.7 - 140 km N of Lae, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey . January 16, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 6.7 - 140 km N of Lae, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey . January 16, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 7.0 - 26 km SW of Lixoúri, Greece" . United States Geological Survey . January 17, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 7.0 - 26 km SW of Lixoúri, Greece" . United States Geological Survey . January 17, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 6.3 - 5 km SW of Salina Cruz, Mexico" . United States Geological Survey . January 24, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 6.3 - 5 km SW of Salina Cruz, Mexico" . United States Geological Survey . January 24, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 6.8 - 166 km NE of Bamboo Flat, India" . United States Geological Survey . January 24, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 6.8 - 166 km NE of Bamboo Flat, India" . United States Geological Survey . January 24, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 7.0 - Kermadec Islands region" . United States Geological Survey . January 26, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 6.3 - 77 km ESE of Mangili, Philippines" . United States Geological Survey . February 12, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 6.3 - 77 km ESE of Mangili, Philippines" . United States Geological Survey . February 12, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 6.2 - 90 km NW of Kashgar, China" . United States Geological Survey . February 13, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 6.2 - 90 km NW of Kashgar, China" . United States Geological Survey . February 13, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "Significant Earthquake: CHINA: XINJIANG WEIWUER ZIZHIQU PROVINCE: WUQUA S" . National Geophysical Data Center . February 13, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 5.7 - 33 km N of Yigo Village, Guam" . United States Geological Survey . February 13, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 5.7 - 33 km N of Yigo Village, Guam" . United States Geological Survey . February 13, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 6.5 - 94 km ESE of Sand Point, Alaska" . United States Geological Survey . February 14, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 6.5 - 94 km ESE of Sand Point, Alaska" . United States Geological Survey . February 14, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 6.4 - 78 km ESE of Caburan, Philippines" . United States Geological Survey . February 20, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 6.4 - 78 km ESE of Caburan, Philippines" . United States Geological Survey . February 20, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 4.7 - 1 km WSW of ?????????, North Macedonia" . United States Geological Survey . February 25, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 4.7 - 1 km WSW of ?????????, North Macedonia" . United States Geological Survey . February 25, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "Significant Earthquake: BALKANS NW: MACEDONIA: SKOPJE" . National Geophysical Data Center . February 25, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 6.9 - 77 km SE of Palca, Peru" . United States Geological Survey . February 25, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 6.9 - 77 km SE of Palca, Peru" . United States Geological Survey . February 25, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 5.3 - 36 km SE of Rasht, Tajikistan" . United States Geological Survey . February 26, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 5.3 - 36 km SE of Rasht, Tajikistan" . United States Geological Survey . February 26, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 5.9 - 1 km NE of Nagareyama, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . February 27, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 5.9 - 1 km NE of Nagareyama, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . February 27, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 5.9 - 48 km N of Güiria, Venezuela" . United States Geological Survey . March 8, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 5.9 - 48 km N of Güiria, Venezuela" . United States Geological Survey . March 8, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 6.2 - 54 km E of Shikotan, Russia" . United States Geological Survey . March 10, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 6.0 - 49 km SW of Ambon, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey . March 12, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 6.0 - 49 km SW of Ambon, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey . March 12, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 6.7 - 49 km SW of Ambon, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey . March 12, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 6.7 - 49 km SW of Ambon, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey . March 12, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "Significant Earthquake: INDONESIA: BANDA SEA" . National Geophysical Data Center . March 12, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 5.3 - 15 km SSE of Shinshiro, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . March 15, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 5.3 - 15 km SSE of Shinshiro, Japan" . United States Geological Survey . March 15, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 6.7 - 120 km SSE of Pondaguitan, Philippines" . United States Geological Survey . March 15, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 6.7 - 120 km SSE of Pondaguitan, Philippines" . United States Geological Survey . March 15, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 7.6 - 157 km ESE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey . March 18, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 7.6 - 157 km ESE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey . March 18, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "Significant Earthquake: PAPUA NEW GUINEA: NEW IRELAND" . National Geophysical Data Center . March 18, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 6.4 - 106 km ESE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey . March 20, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 6.4 - 106 km ESE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey . March 20, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 6.7 - 41 km SW of Vaini, Tonga" . United States Geological Survey . March 21, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 6.7 - 41 km SW of Vaini, Tonga" . United States Geological Survey . March 21, 1983. Retrieved July 10, 2021 . ^ "M 6.4 - 18 km NW of Lixoúri, Greece" . United States Geological Survey . March 23, 1983. Retrieved July 11, 2021 . ^ "M 6.4 - 18 km NW of Lixoúri, Greece" . United States Geological Survey . March 23, 1983. Retrieved July 11, 2021 . ^ "Significant Earthquake: GREECE: VONITSA" . National Geophysical Data Center . March 23, 1983. Retrieved July 11, 2021 . ^ "M 5.2 - 31 km NE of Dam?vand, Iran" . United States Geological Survey . March 25, 1983. Retrieved July 11, 2021 . ^ "M 5.2 - 31 km NE of Dam?vand, Iran" . United States Geological Survey . March 25, 1983. Retrieved July 11, 2021 . ^ "Significant Earthquake: IRAN: TEHRAN, DAMAVOND, AMOI" . National Geophysical Data Center . March 25, 1983. Retrieved July 11, 2021 . ^ "M 5.5 - 8 km WNW of Popayán, Colombia" . United States Geological Survey . March 31, 1983. Retrieved July 11, 2021 . ^ "M 5.5 - 8 km WNW of Popayán, Colombia" . United States Geological Survey . March 31, 1983. Retrieved July 11, 2021 . ^ "Significant Earthquake: COLOMBIA: SW, POPAYAN" . National Geophysical Data Center . March 31, 1983. Retrieved July 11, 2021 . ^ "M 7.1, Costa Rica" . 3 April 1983. ^ "M 6.9, Sabang, Indonesia" . 4 April 1983. ^ "M 6.5, Kuril Islands" . 4 April 1983. ^ "M 6.7, Owen Fracture Zone" . 8 April 1983. ^ "M 7.0, La Peca, Peru" . 12 April 1983. ^ "M 7.0, Iran" . 18 April 1983. ^ "M 6.4, Gizo, Solomon Islands" . 24 April 1983. ^ "M 6.5, Southern Hokkaido" . 30 April 1983. ^ "M 6.7, California" . 2 May 1983. ^ "M 6.5, Kimbe, Papua New Guinea" . 10 May 1983. ^ "M 6.7, Papua New Guinea" . 10 May 1983. ^ "M 6.5, Tonga" . 15 May 1983. ^ "M 7.8, Japan" . 26 May 1983. ^ "M 6.6, Tonga" . 1 June 1983. ^ "M 6.3, Southern Hokkaido, Japan" . 9 June 1983. ^ "M 6.7, Southern Hokkaido, Japan" . 21 June 1983. ^ "M 6.4, China Sea" . 21 June 1983. ^ "M 6.3, Vietnam" . 24 June 1983. ^ "M 6.9, Vietnam" . 24 June 1983. ^ "M 6.5, 17 Km South of Pejibaye, Costa Rica" . 3 July 1983. ^ "M 6.5, Southeast of the Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia" . 5 July 1983. ^ "M 6.1, 10 Km North of Biga, Turkey" . 5 July 1983. ^ "M 6.9, South Shetland Islands" . 11 July 1983. ^ "M 6.6, Alaska" . 12 July 1983. ^ "M 6.2, Kamchatka, Russia" . 24 July 1983. ^ "M 6.4, Indonesia" . 24 July 1983. ^ "M 6.8, Greece" . 6 August 1983. ^ "M 7.1, Kamchatka, Russia" . 17 August 1983. ^ "M 6.5, Piddig, Philippines" . 17 August 1983. ^ "M 6.5, Southern Hokkaido" . 25 August 1983. ^ "M 6.1, Tonga" . 30 August 1983. ^ "M 6.4, Alaska" . 7 September 1983. ^ "M 6.2, Hindu Kush, Afghanistan" . 12 September 1983. ^ "M 6.3, Mexico" . 15 September 1983. ^ "M 6.7, Pacific Ocean" . 17 September 1983. ^ "M 7.4 - 54 km WSW of Diego de Almagro, Chile" . United States Geological Survey. 4 October 1983. Retrieved 3 August 2021 . ^ "M 6.0 - 94 km SSE of Kurchatov, Kazakhstan" . United States Geological Survey. 6 October 1983. Retrieved 3 August 2021 . ^ "M 6.5 - 58 km W of Gizo, Solomon Islands" . United States Geological Survey. 15 October 1983. Retrieved 3 August 2021 . ^ "M 6.5 - 231 km WNW of Gorontalo, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey. 16 October 1983. Retrieved 3 August 2021 . ^ "M 6.9 - The 1983 Borah Peak Earthquake, Idaho" . United States Geological Survey. 28 October 1983. Retrieved 3 August 2021 . ^ "M 6.8 - 27 km E of Narman, Turkey" . United States Geological Survey. 30 October 1983. Retrieved 3 August 2021 .
1983 Popayán (5.5, March 31) Coalinga (6.5, May 2) Noshiro (7.8, May 26) † Biga (6.1, July 5) Luzon (6.5, August 17) Kopaonik (5.3, September 10) Borah Peak (6.9, October 28) Erzurum (6.9, October 30) † ‡ Heze (5.7, November 7) † Kaoiki (6.7, November 16) Chagos Archipelago (7.7, November 30) Hindu Kush (7.4, December 30) Liège (4.7, November 8) † indicates earthquake resulting in at least 30 deaths ‡ indicates the deadliest earthquake of the year