List of earthquakes in 1936
This is a list of earthquakes in 1936 . 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. The Dutch East Indies and China in particular had the main bulk of the activity in this year. The Dutch East Indies saw five of the 13 magnitude 7.0+ events. China on the other hand had six earthquakes which resulted in substantial numbers of deaths during the year.
Overall
By death toll
Rank
Death toll
Magnitude
Location
MMI
Depth (km)
Date
1
1,001
6.8
China , Guangxi Province
IX (Violent )
0.0
April 1
2
400
0.0
El Salvador , off the coast of
( )
0.0
December 19
3
250
7.0
Colombia , Narino Department
( )
0.0
January 9
4
115
6.0
China , Gansu Province
VIII (Severe )
35.0
August 1
= 5
101
6.8
China , Gansu Province
IX (Violent )
15.0
February 7
= 5
101
6.7
China , Sichuan Province
IX (Violent )
15.0
April 26
6
51
5.5
China , Xinjiang Province
( )
0.0
November 11
7
30
5.5
China , Yunnan Province
VII (Very strong )
0.0
August 17
8
18
0.0
Colombia , Pasto, Colombia
( )
0.0
August 14
9
17
0.0
Dutch East Indies , northern Sumatra
VIII (Severe )
0.0
September 9
10
12
6.2
Iran , South Khorasan Province
( )
35.0
June 30
11
10
7.1
Taiwan , southeast of
( )
15.0
August 22
Note : At least 10 casualties
By magnitude
Rank
Magnitude
Death toll
Location
MMI
Depth (km)
Date
1
7.8
0
Dutch East Indies , Talaud Islands
IX (Violent )
35.0
April 1
= 2
7.5
0
Russian SFSR , off the east coast of Kamchatka
X (Extreme )
15.0
June 30
= 2
7.5
1
Chile , Antofagasta Region
( )
35.0
July 13
3
7.4
0
British Solomon Islands
( )
20.0
April 19
= 4
7.2
0
Dutch East Indies , northern Sumatra
( )
20.0
September 19
= 4
7.2
0
Japan , off the east coast of Honshu
( )
35.0
November 2
= 4
7.2
0
Russian SFSR , off the east coast of Kamchatka
X (Extreme )
20.0
November 13
= 5
7.1
0
Dutch East Indies , off the south coast of West Papua (province)
( )
15.0
February 15
= 5
7.1
10
Taiwan , southeast of
( )
15.0
August 22
= 6
7.0
250
Colombia , Narino Department
( )
0.0
January 9
= 6
7.0
9
Dutch East Indies , off the west coast of northern Sumatra
VIII (Severe )
50.0
August 23
= 6
7.0
0
Dutch East Indies , Molucca Sea
( )
15.0
October 5
Note : At least 7.0 magnitude
Notable events
January
January Strongest magnitude 7.0 Mw Colombia Deadliest 7.0 Mw Colombia 250 deaths Total fatalities 250 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 6
February
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
7 [ 8] [ 9]
China , Gansu Province
6.8
15.0
IX
At least 101 people were killed and another 101 were hurt. Damage was extensive in the area with 9,650 homes being destroyed.
101+
101+
8 [ 10]
New Guinea , Madang Province
6.2
100.0
10 [ 11]
Fiji
6.6
400.0
12 [ 12]
Dutch East Indies , Java Sea
6.5
600.0
15 [ 13]
Dutch East Indies , West Papua (province)
7.1
15.0
16 [ 14]
France , Loyalty Islands , New Caledonia
6.5
160.0
21 [ 15]
Japan , Nara Prefecture , Honshu
6.0
35.0
21 [ 16]
New Guinea , East Sepik Province
6.4
35.0
22 [ 17]
New Zealand , Auckland Islands
6.9
15.0
22 [ 18]
New Zealand , Auckland Islands
6.4
15.0
Aftershock.
27 [ 19]
Dutch East Indies , Barat Daya Islands
6.6
100.0
28 [ 20]
Dutch East Indies , Java Sea
6.5
35.0
March
March Strongest magnitude 6.7 Mw Japan Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 0 6.0–6.9 1
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
2 [ 21]
Japan , southeast of Hokkaido
6.7
25.0
April
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
1 [ 22] [ 23]
Dutch East Indies , Talaud Islands
7.8
35.0
IX
3 people were injured. 169 homes were destroyed.
3
1 [ 24]
Dutch East Indies , Talaud Islands
6.6
35.0
Aftershock.
1 [ 25]
China , Guangxi Province
6.8
0.0
IX
1,001+
2 [ 26]
New Guinea , west of New Ireland (island)
6.4
25.0
12 [ 27]
Federated States of Micronesia
6.7
15.0
15 [ 28]
Dutch East Indies , south of Java
6.0
100.0
19 [ 29]
British Solomon Islands
7.4
20.0
19 [ 30]
India , Andaman Islands
6.5
35.0
26 [ 31] [ 32]
China , Sichuan Province
6.7
15.0
IX
At least 101 people were killed and many homes collapsed.
101+
28 [ 33]
Dutch East Indies , Banda Sea
6.5
200.0
30 [ 34]
Argentina , Cordoba Province (Argentina)
6.0
200.0
May
May Strongest magnitude 6.8 Mw 3 events Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 0 6.0–6.9 11
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
6 [ 35]
Peru , Ucayali Region
6.0
160.0
8 [ 36]
Dutch East Indies , east of Bawean
6.5
620.0
11 [ 37]
New Guinea , southeast of New Britain
6.6
25.0
16 [ 38]
China , Sichuan Province
6.8
15.0
19 [ 39]
Dutch East Indies , east of Bawean
6.5
610.0
19 [ 40]
Dutch East Indies , north of West Timor
6.4
70.0
20 [ 41]
Philippines , Tayabas Bay
6.0
160.0
20 [ 42]
British Solomon Islands , western Guadalcanal
6.8
15.0
22 [ 43]
Argentina , San Luis Province
6.2
15.0
25 [ 44]
New Guinea , Bismarck Sea
6.4
15.0
27 [ 45]
Nepal , Gandaki Province
6.8
15.0
June
June Strongest magnitude 7.5 Mw Russian SFSR Deadliest 6.2 Mw Iran 12 deaths Total fatalities 12 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 6
July
July Strongest magnitude 7.5 Mw Chile Deadliest 5.0 Mw Korea 9 deaths Total fatalities 10 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 6 5.0–5.9 2
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
3 [ 55]
Korea , South Jeolla Province
5.0
0.0
9
4 [ 56]
Peru , Tacna Region
6.0
140.0
4 [ 57]
Dutch East Indies , Malacca Strait
6.5
200.0
5 [ 58]
Philippines , southeast of Mindanao
6.7
35.0
13 [ 59] [ 60]
Chile , Antofagasta Region
7.5
35.0
1 person died and a further 40 were hurt. Many homes were destroyed.
1
40
16 [ 61] [ 62] [ 63]
United States , Milton-Freewater, Oregon
5.8
5.0
VII
26 [ 64]
Chile , off the coast of Antofagasta Region
6.6
35.0
Aftershock.
28 [ 65]
New Guinea , East Sepik Province
6.4
35.0
Doublet earthquake
28 [ 66]
New Guinea , East Sepik Province
6.3
15.0
August
August Strongest magnitude 7.1 Mw Taiwan 2 events Deadliest 6.0 Mw China 115 deaths Total fatalities 182 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 3 6.0–6.9 3 5.0–5.9 1
September
October
November
November Strongest magnitude 7.2 Mw 2 events Deadliest 5.5 Mw China 51 deaths Total fatalities 51 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 2 6.0–6.9 9 5.0–5.9 1
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI
Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
2 [ 86]
Russian SFSR , Kuril Islands
6.7
35.0
2 [ 87]
Japan , off the east coast of Honshu
7.2
35.0
1936 Miyagi earthquake .
7 [ 88]
Chile , Antofagasta Region
6.0
200.0
11 [ 89]
China , Xinjiang Province
5.5
0.0
At least 51 people were killed and some damage was caused.
51+
12 [ 90]
Russian SFSR , Sea of Okhotsk
6.5
150.0
13 [ 91] [ 92]
Russian SFSR , off the east coast of Kamchatka
7.2
20.0
X
Some damage was caused.
15 [ 93]
Fiji
6.5
540.0
19 [ 94]
Guatemala , Santa Rosa Department, Guatemala
6.6
45.0
22 [ 95]
Guatemala , off the south coast
6.3
45.0
Aftershock.
26 [ 96]
Fiji
6.5
560.0
29 [ 97]
Bolivia , Potosi Department
6.0
230.0
30 [ 98]
Dutch East Indies , Ceram Sea
6.2
35.0
December
References
^ "M 6.3 – Sumba region, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey. January 2, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "M 6.7 – Kepulauan Batu, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey. January 2, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: COLOMBIA" . National Geophysical Data Center . January 9, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . January 14, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "M 6.6 – Vanuatu" . United States Geological Survey. January 14, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "M 6.7 – Mindanao, Philippines" . United States Geological Survey. January 20, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . January 22, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "M 6.8 – Gansu, China" . United States Geological Survey. February 7, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: CHINA: GANSU PROVINCE" . National Geophysical Data Center . February 7, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "M 6.2 – eastern New Guinea region, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey. February 8, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . February 10, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . February 12, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "M 7.1 – near the south coast of Papua, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey. February 15, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . February 16, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . February 21, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "M 6.4 – near the north coast of New Guinea, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey. February 21, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "M 6.9 – Auckland Islands, New Zealand region" . United States Geological Survey. February 22, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "M 6.4 – Auckland Islands, New Zealand region" . United States Geological Survey. February 22, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . February 27, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . February 28, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "M 6.7 – Hokkaido, Japan region" . United States Geological Survey. March 2, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "M 7.8 – Kepulauan Talaud, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey. April 1, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: INDONESIA: TALAUD ISLANDS" . National Geophysical Data Center . April 1, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "M 6.6 – Kepulauan Talaud, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey. April 1, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: CHINA: GUANGXI PROVINCE" . National Geophysical Data Center . April 1, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "M 6.4 – New Ireland region, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey. April 2, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "M 6.7 – State of Yap, Federated States of Micronesia" . United States Geological Survey. April 12, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . April 15, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "M 7.4 – Solomon Islands" . United States Geological Survey. April 19, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 – Andaman Islands, India region" . United States Geological Survey. April 19, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "M 6.7 – eastern Sichuan, China" . United States Geological Survey. April 26, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: CHINA: SICHUAN PROVINCE" . National Geophysical Data Center . April 26, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . April 28, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . April 30, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . May 6, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . May 8, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "M 6.6 – New Britain region, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey. May 11, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "M 6.8 – eastern Sichuan, China" . United States Geological Survey. May 16, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . May 19, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "M 6.4 – Flores region, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey. May 19, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . May 20, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "M 6.8 – Solomon Islands" . United States Geological Survey. May 20, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "M 6.2 – San Luis, Argentina" . United States Geological Survey. May 22, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "M 6.4 – Bismarck Sea" . United States Geological Survey. May 25, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "M 6.8 – Nepal" . United States Geological Survey. May 27, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . June 3, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . June 9, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . June 10, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . June 22, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . June 29, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "M 7.5 – off the east coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia" . United States Geological Survey. June 30, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: RUSSIA: KOMANDORSKY ISLAND" . National Geophysical Data Center . June 30, 1936. Retrieved July 30, 2019 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . June 30, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: IRAN: ABIZ, SARBISHEH" . National Geophysical Data Center . June 30, 1936. Retrieved May 7, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: SOUTH KOREA" . National Geophysical Data Center . July 3, 1936. Retrieved May 8, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . July 4, 1936. Retrieved May 8, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . July 4, 1936. Retrieved May 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.7 – Mindanao, Philippines" . United States Geological Survey. July 5, 1936. Retrieved May 8, 2016 .
^ "M 7.5 – Antofagasta, Chile" . United States Geological Survey. July 13, 1936. Retrieved May 8, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: CHILE: TALTAL" . National Geophysical Data Center . July 13, 1936. Retrieved May 8, 2016 .
^ "M 5.8 – Oregon" . United States Geological Survey. July 16, 1936. Retrieved July 31, 2019 .
^ "M 5.8 – Oregon" . United States Geological Survey. July 16, 1936. Retrieved July 31, 2019 .
^ "WA/OR – United States earthquakes, 1936" . Pacific Northwest Seismic Network . July 16, 1936. Retrieved February 26, 2018 .
^ "M 6.6 – near the coast of Antofagasta, Chile" . United States Geological Survey. July 26, 1936. Retrieved May 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.4 – near the north coast of New Guinea, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey. July 28, 1936. Retrieved May 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.3 – near the north coast of New Guinea, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey. July 28, 1936. Retrieved May 8, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . August 1, 1936. Retrieved May 8, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: CHINA: GANSU PROVINCE" . National Geophysical Data Center . August 1, 1936. Retrieved May 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 – Mindanao, Philippines" . United States Geological Survey. August 13, 1936. Retrieved May 8, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: COLOMBIA: PASTO" . National Geophysical Data Center . August 14, 1936. Retrieved May 8, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: CHINA: YUNNAN PROVINCE" . National Geophysical Data Center . August 17, 1936. Retrieved May 8, 2016 .
^ "M 7.1 – Taiwan region" . United States Geological Survey. August 22, 1936. Retrieved May 8, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: TAIWAN" . National Geophysical Data Center . August 22, 1936. Retrieved May 8, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . August 22, 1936. Retrieved May 8, 2016 .
^ "M 7.0 – northern Sumatra, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey. August 23, 1936. Retrieved May 8, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: INDONESIA: BANDA ACEH,LHOK SUKON,LHOKSEMAWE" . National Geophysical Data Center . August 23, 1936. Retrieved May 8, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: INDONESIA: N SUMATERA: TAPANULI, KARO" . National Geophysical Data Center . September 9, 1936. Retrieved May 8, 2016 .
^ "M 7.2 – northern Sumatra, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey. September 19, 1936. Retrieved May 8, 2016 .
^ "M 6.6 – Minahasa, Sulawesi, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey. October 3, 1936. Retrieved May 11, 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 – Kermadec Islands, New Zealand" . United States Geological Survey. October 4, 1936. Retrieved May 11, 2016 .
^ "M 7.0 – Molucca Sea" . United States Geological Survey. October 5, 1936. Retrieved May 11, 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 – Kepulauan Sula, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey. October 19, 1936. Retrieved May 11, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . October 25, 1936. Retrieved May 11, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . October 26, 1936. Retrieved May 11, 2016 .
^ "M 6.5 – Guam region" . United States Geological Survey. October 29, 1936. Retrieved May 11, 2016 .
^ "M 6.7 – Kuril Islands" . United States Geological Survey. November 2, 1936. Retrieved May 11, 2016 .
^ "M 7.2 – near the east coast of Honshu, Japan" . United States Geological Survey. November 2, 1936. Retrieved May 11, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . November 7, 1936. Retrieved May 12, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: CHINA: XINJIANG WEIWUER ZIZHIQU PROVINCE: S" . National Geophysical Data Center . November 11, 1936. Retrieved May 12, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . November 12, 1936. Retrieved May 12, 2016 .
^ "M 7.2 – off the east coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia" . United States Geological Survey. November 13, 1936. Retrieved May 12, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: RUSSIA: NEAR KAMCHATKA" . National Geophysical Data Center . November 13, 1936. Retrieved May 12, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . November 15, 1936. Retrieved May 12, 2016 .
^ "M 6.6 – Guatemala" . United States Geological Survey. November 19, 1936. Retrieved May 12, 2016 .
^ "M 6.3 – offshore Guatemala" . United States Geological Survey. November 22, 1936. Retrieved May 12, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . November 26, 1936. Retrieved May 12, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . November 29, 1936. Retrieved May 12, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . November 30, 1936. Retrieved May 12, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . December 1, 1936. Retrieved May 12, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . December 5, 1936. Retrieved May 12, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: EL SALVADOR: SAN VICENTE" . National Geophysical Data Center . December 19, 1936. Retrieved May 12, 2016 .
^ "M 6.3 – Sunda Strait, Indonesia" . United States Geological Survey. December 20, 1936. Retrieved May 12, 2016 .
^ "On-Line Bulletin" . International Seismological Centre . December 21, 1936. Retrieved May 12, 2016 .
^ "M 6.7 – Kermadec Islands, New Zealand" . United States Geological Survey. December 26, 1936. Retrieved May 12, 2016 .
^ "Significant Earthquake: JAPAN: NII JIMA" . National Geophysical Data Center . December 27, 1936. Retrieved May 12, 2016 .
^ "M 6.4 – near the coast of Guatemala" . United States Geological Survey. December 29, 1936. Retrieved May 12, 2016 .
^ "M 6.6 – New Ireland region, Papua New Guinea" . United States Geological Survey. December 29, 1936. Retrieved May 12, 2016 .