title: List of earthquakes in 1966
text: # List of earthquakes in 1966
  
  This is a list of earthquakes in 1966. 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. Maximum intensities are indicated on the Mercalli intensity scale and are sourced from United States Geological Survey (USGS) ShakeMap data. With only 9 events above magnitude 7.0+ this was a fairly quiet year. The largest event was in Peru in October and measured 8.1. Turkey had the deadliest event of the year when in August a magnitude 6.8 earthquake caused nearly 2,400 deaths. China had a number of deadly earthquakes especially in March. DR Congo also had an earthquake in March which resulted in 140 deaths. Japan and large portions of Indonesia were notably quiet this year.
  
  ## Overall
  
  ### By death toll
  
  | Rank | Death toll | Magnitude | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | 1 | 8,064 | 6.8 | China, Hebei Province | X (Extreme) | 20.0 | March 22 |
  | 2 | 2,394 | 6.8 | Turkey, Mus Province | IX (Violent) | 24.7 | August 19 |
  | 3 | 140 | 6.6 | DR Congo, North Kivu | VIII (Severe) | 29.3 | March 20 |
  | 4 | 125 | 8.1 | Peru, off the coast of central Peru | IX (Violent) | 40.0 | October 17 |
  | 5 | 101 | 6.5 | China, Hebei Province | IX (Violent) | 25.0 | March 7 |
  | 6 | 80 | 6.0 | Nepal, Sudurpashchim Province | VIII (Severe) | 25.9 | June 27 |
  | 7 | 15 | 5.6 | India, Uttar Pradesh | VII (Very strong) | 27.0 | August 15 |
  | 8 | 12 | 4.6 | Turkey, Mus Province | ( ) | 64.0 | July 12 |
  | 9 | 10 | 6.0 | Turkey, Mus Province | VIII (Severe) | 38.0 | March 7 |
  | 9 | 10 | 5.1 | Soviet Union, Tashkent Region, Uzbekistan | VII (Very strong) | 3 ~8 | April 26 |
  
  * Note: At least 10 casualties
  
  ### By magnitude
  
  | Rank | Magnitude | Death toll | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | 1 | 8.1 | 125 | Peru, off the coast of central Peru | IX (Violent) | 40.0 | October 17 |
  | 2 | 7.8 | 0 | United Kingdom, Santa Cruz Islands, Solomon Islands | VII (Very strong) | 55.0 | December 31 |
  | = 3 | 7.7 | 0 | Indonesia, Morotai | VII (Very strong) | 115.0 | September 8 |
  | = 3 | 7.7 | 3 | Chile, Antofagasta Region | IX (Violent) | 25.0 | December 28 |
  | 4 | 7.5 | 7 | Taiwan, off the east coast of Taiwan | VII (Very strong) | 30.0 | March 12 |
  | = 5 | 7.1 | 0 | United Kingdom, British Solomon Islands | VI (Strong) | 45.0 | June 15 |
  | = 5 | 7.1 | 0 | United Kingdom, Santa Cruz Islands, Solomon Islands | VI (Strong) | 35.0 | December 31 |
  | = 6 | 7.0 | 0 | Indonesia, Banda Sea | III (Weak) | 531.8 | June 22 |
  | = 6 | 7.0 | 0 | central Mid-Atlantic Ridge | ( ) | 15.0 | October 19 |
  
  * Note: At least 7.0 magnitude
  
  ## Notable events
  
  ### January
  
  | Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | Casualties |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Dead | Injured |
  | 11 | Japan, off the south coast of Honshu | 6.0 | 15.0 | | | | |
  | 28 | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.0 | 10.0 | VII | | | |
  | 31 | China, Yunnan Province | 5.1 | 0.0 | VII | Some homes were destroyed. Unknown depth. | | |
  
  ### February
  
  | Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | Casualties |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Dead | Injured |
  | 4 | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.4 | 180.0 | IV | | | |
  | 5 | Greece, Central Greece (region) | 6.2 | 10.0 | VII | 1 person died and 60 people were injured. 450 homes were destroyed. Property damage costs were $4 million (1966 rate). | 1 | 60 |
  | 5 | China, Yunnan Province | 6.4 | 10.0 | IX | Many homes were destroyed. | | |
  | 7 | Pakistan, Baluchistan, Pakistan | 6.5 | 10.0 | rowspan="2"| Doublet earthquake. | | |
  | 7 | Pakistan, Punjab, Pakistan | 6.5 | 10.0 | VIII | | | |
  | 10 | United States, Northern Mariana Islands | 6.5 | 45.7 | | | | |
  | 13 | Indonesia, Tanimbar Islands | 6.0 | 35.0 | | | | |
  | 13 | China, Yunnan Province | 5.9 | 10.0 | VII | Aftershock of February 5 event. Some homes were destroyed. | | |
  | 16 | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.6 | 35.0 | VI | | | |
  | 22 | Australia, East New Britain Province, Papua and New Guinea | 6.9 | 35.0 | VI | | | |
  
  ### March
  
  | Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | Casualties |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Dead | Injured |
  | 6 | China, Hebei Province | 5.2 | 0.0 | VII | 11 homes were destroyed. Unknown depth. This was a foreshock to a series of large and destructive events over the coming weeks. | | |
  | 6 | China, western Xizang Province | 6.7 | 20.0 | VII | | | |
  | 6 | China, western Xizang Province | 6.3 | 20.0 | VII | Aftershock. | | |
  | 7 | Turkey, Mus Province | 6.0 | 38.0 | VIII | 10 people were killed and major damage was caused. | 10 | |
  | 7 | China, Hebei Province | 6.5 | 25.0 | IX | At least 101 people were killed and extensive damage was caused in the 1966 Xingtai earthquake. | 101+ | |
  | 12 | Taiwan, off the east coast | 7.5 | 30.0 | VII | The 1966 Hualien earthquake left 7 people dead and 10 injured. Some homes were destroyed. | 7 | 10 |
  | 17 | United Kingdom, Fiji | 6.7 | 625.0 | | | | |
  | 19 | China, Hebei Province | 5.6 | 0.0 | VI | Some homes were destroyed. Unknown depth. Aftershock of March 7 event. Foreshock of March 22 event. | | |
  | 20 | DR Congo, North Kivu | 6.6 | 29.3 | VIII | 140 people were killed and at least 101 injured in the 1966 Toro earthquake. Property damage costs were $1.5 million (1966 rate). | 140 | 101+ |
  | 22 | China, Hebei Province | 6.2 | 20.0 | VII | Foreshock. | | |
  | 22 | China, Hebei Province | 6.8 | 20.0 | X | The 1966 Xingtai earthquake caused at least 101 deaths and further damage. | 101+ | |
  | 23 | Taiwan, off the east coast | 6.2 | 49.5 | V | | | |
  | 26 | China, Hebei Province | 6.0 | 20.0 | VII | Some homes were destroyed. Aftershock. | | |
  | 29 | China, Hebei Province | 6.0 | 20.0 | VII | Aftershock. | | |
  
  ### April
  
  | Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | Casualties |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Dead | Injured |
  | 8 | Soviet Union, off the east coast of Kamchatka | 6.2 | 46.6 | VI | | | |
  | 10 | Chile, Coquimbo Region | 6.1 | 60.5 | VI | | | |
  | 12 | Chile, Araucania Region | 6.2 | 35.0 | VII | | | |
  | 16 | United States, Kodiak Island, Alaska | 6.2 | 15.0 | | | | |
  | 20 | China, Hebei Province | 5.3 | 0.0 | | 22 homes were destroyed. Unknown depth. Aftershock of March 22 event. | | |
  | 20 | Soviet Union, Dagestan, Russia | 6.0 | 20.0 | VII | | | |
  | 23 | Indonesia, Gulf of Tomini | 6.5 | 20.0 | VII | | | |
  | 23 | Indonesia, Gulf of Tomini | 6.1 | 35.0 | V | Aftershock. | | |
  | 26 | Soviet Union, Tashkent Region, Uzbekistan | 5.1 | 3.0~8.0 | VII | The 1966 Tashkent earthquake caused 10 deaths and major damage. Costs were $300 million (1966 rate). It is unknown if the depth is correct or not. | 10 | |
  
  ### May
  
  | Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | Casualties |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Dead | Injured |
  | 1 | Peru, Ucayali Region | 6.4 | 161.0 | IV | | | |
  | 2 | Australia, West New Britain Province, Papua and New Guinea | 6.1 | 35.0 | V | | | |
  | 5 | Taiwan, off the east coast | 6.2 | 50.0 | V | | | |
  | 9 | Greece, southeast of Crete | 6.0 | 25.0 | | | | |
  
  ### June
  
  | Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | Casualties |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Dead | Injured |
  | 6 | Afghanistan, Badakhshan Province | 6.6 | 215.6 | IV | | | |
  | 6 | Philippines, east of Mindanao | 6.0 | 25.0 | V | | | |
  | 7 | Peru, off the coast of central | 6.2 | 20.0 | VI | | | |
  | 7 | United States, State of Yap, Federated States of Micronesia | 6.8 | 35.0 | | | | |
  | 13 | United Kingdom, Santa Cruz Islands, British Solomon Islands | 6.7 | 241.6 | | | | |
  | 15 | United Kingdom, Solomon Islands | 7.1 | 45.0 | VI | | | |
  | 15 | United Kingdom, British Solomon Islands | 6.8 | 45.0 | VII | Aftershock. | | |
  | 22 | Indonesia, Banda Sea | 7.0 | 531.8 | III | | | |
  | 27 | Nepal, Sudurpashchim Province | 6.0 | 25.9 | VIII | 80 people were killed and 100 were injured. 5,200 homes were destroyed. Damage costs were $1 million (1966 rate). Foreshock. | 80 | 100 |
  | 27 | Nepal, Sudurpashchim Province | 6.3 | 25.0 | VI | | | |
  | 29 | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.0 | 45.0 | | | | |
  
  ### July
  
  | Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | Casualties |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Dead | Injured |
  | 1 | Taiwan, off the east coast | 6.4 | 112.5 | V | | | |
  | 4 | United States, Rat Islands, Alaska | 6.8 | 15.0 | III | | | |
  | 10 | Japan, Ryukyu Islands | 6.1 | 35.6 | | | | |
  | 12 | Turkey, Mus Province | 4.6 | 64.0 | | 12 people were killed and 20 were injured. Major damage was caused. | 12 | 20 |
  
  ### August
  
  | Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | Casualties |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Dead | Injured |
  | 1 | Pakistan, Baluchistan, Pakistan | 6.0 | 20.2 | VII | Foreshock. | | |
  | 1 | Pakistan, Baluchistan, Pakistan | 6.2 | 25.0 | VII | Foreshock. | | |
  | 1 | Pakistan, Baluchistan, Pakistan | 6.9 | 25.0 | VIII | | | |
  | 7 | United States, south of the Aleutian Islands, Alaska | 6.9 | 19.7 | | | | |
  | 7 | Mexico, Gulf of California | 6.5 | 15.0 | VI | | | |
  | 10 | Tonga | 6.0 | 98.0 | | | | |
  | 15 | India, Uttar Pradesh | 5.6 | 27.0 | VIII | 15 people were killed and some damage was caused. | 15 | |
  | 15 | Philippines, off the northeast coast of Mindoro | 6.0 | 19.8 | VI | | | |
  | 19 | Turkey, Mus Province | 6.8 | 24.7 | IX | 2,394 people were killed in the 1966 Varto earthquake. Extensive property damage was caused with costs being around $20 million (1966 rate). | 2,394 | |
  | 20 | Turkey, Bingol Province | 6.2 | 25.0 | VII | Aftershock. | | |
  | 21 | Philippines, off the east coast of Mindanao | 6.0 | 35.0 | V | | | |
  
  ### September
  
  | Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | Casualties |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Dead | Injured |
  | 1 | Greece, Peloponnese (region) | 5.9 | 17.0 | VIII | 1 person was killed and 25 were injured. Damage costs reached $14 million (1966 rate) with 180 homes collapsing. | 1 | 25 |
  | 8 | Indonesia, Morotai | 7.7 | 115.0 | VII | | | |
  | 12 | United States, northern California | 5.9 | 10.0 | VII | Some damage was reported to buildings and infrastructure in the area. | | |
  | 15 | Taiwan, off the east coast | 6.2 | 30.0 | V | | | |
  | 19 | China, Yunnan Province | 5.4 | 0.0 | VII | Some damage was caused. Unknown depth. | | |
  | 25 | Mexico, Guerrero | 6.0 | 80.3 | V | | | |
  | 28 | China, Yunnan Province | 6.3 | 20.0 | IX | Extensive damage was caused. | | |
  
  ### October
  
  | Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | Casualties |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Dead | Injured |
  | 2 | China, Jilin Province | 5.2 | 0.0 | | Major damage was caused. Unknown depth. | | |
  | 7 | France, southeast of the Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia | 6.9 | 150.0 | | | | |
  | 17 | Peru, off the coast of central | 8.1 | 40.0 | IX | The 1966 Peru earthquake left 125 people dead and 3,000 injured. Major property damage was reported. Costs were $35 million (1966 rate). | 125 | 3,000 |
  | 19 | central Mid-Atlantic Ridge | 7.0 | 15.0 | | | | |
  | 27 | Japan, Volcano Islands | 6.7 | 10.0 | | | | |
  | 29 | Greece, Western Greece | 5.9 | 25.0 | VII | 1 person died and 23 were injured. Many homes were destroyed. | 1 | 23 |
  
  ### November
  
  | Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | Casualties |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Dead | Injured |
  | 3 | Mona Passage | 6.0 | 26.5 | | | | |
  | 10 | Argentina, San Juan Province, Argentina | 6.1 | 113.0 | IV | | | |
  | 12 | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.3 | 35.0 | VI | | | |
  
  ### December
  
  | Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | Casualties |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Dead | Injured |
  | 1 | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.8 | 125.0 | VI | | | |
  | 14 | Australia, East Sepik Province, Papua and New Guinea | 6.3 | 65.0 | VI | | | |
  | 20 | Argentina, Santiago del Estero Province | 6.3 | 578.0 | | | | |
  | 21 | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.3 | 230.0 | | | | |
  | 23 | Australia, off the east coast of Papua and New Guinea | 6.6 | 30.0 | V | | | |
  | 28 | Chile, Antofagasta Region | 7.7 | 25.0 | IX | 3 people were killed and 6 were injured. Many homes were destroyed. Damage costs were $400,000 (1966 rate). | 3 | 6 |
  | 31 | United Kingdom, Santa Cruz Islands, Solomon Islands | 7.8 | 55.0 | VII | | | |
  | 31 | United Kingdom, Santa Cruz Islands, Solomon Islands | 7.1 | 35.0 | VI | Aftershock. | | |
  