Significant Earthquakes of the World
1981
SIGNIFICANT EARTHQUAKES OF THE WORLD, 1981 Earthquakes of magnitude 6.5 or greater or ones that caused fatalities, injuries or substantial damage. DATE ORIGIN TIME GEOGRAPHIC DEPTH MAGNITUDES SD NO. REGION, CONTRIBUTED MAGNITUDES AND COMMENTS UTC COORDINATES GS STA HR MN SEC LAT LONG MB Msz USED 1981 Jan 18 18 17 24.4 38.64 N 142.75 E 33 N 6.1 6.9 1.1 220 NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN. Ms 6.6 (BRK), 6.6 (PAS). Felt (IV JMA) in the Miyako-Morioka- Sendai area. Ten-centimeter tsunami reported at Ofunato. The focal mechanism is poorly controlled and corresponds to reverse faulting. Jan 19 15 11 01.0 4.58 S 139.23 E 33 N 6.0 6.7 1.1 128 IRIAN JAYA, INDONESIA. Ms 6.7 (BRK), 6.8 (PAS). Three hundred five people killed, some injured and about 1,000 missing in the Jayawijaya Mountains. Landslides buried many villages. The focal mechanism is poorly controlled and corresponds to reverse faulting. Jan 23 21 13 51.7 30.93 N 101.10 E 33 N 5.7 6.8 1.1 188 SICHUAN PROVINCE, CHINA. Ms 6.6 (PAS). One hundred fifty people killed, 300 injured and extensive damage in the Dawu area. The focal mechanism is moderately well controlled and corresponds to strike-slip faulting. Jan 23 21 54 41.6 29.68 S 60.84 E 10 G 6.1 6.8 1.0 229 ATLANTIC-INDIAN RISE. Ms 7.0 (PAS). The focal mechanism is well controlled and corresponds to strike-slip faulting. Jan 30 08 52 44.1 51.74 N 176.27 E 33 6.3 7.0 1.0 309 RAT ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS. Ms 7.1 (BRK). ML 7.1 (PMR). Felt (IV) on Shemya. The focal mechanism is moderately well controlled and corresponds to reverse faulting with a moderate strike-slip component. Feb 14 17 27 44.3 41.05 N 14.60 E 10 G 4.6 1.0 75 SOUTHERN ITALY. ML 4.9 (TRI), 4.7 (ROM). Eight people died from heart attacks, four others were killed, and damage (VII) in the Campania and Basilicata regions. Feb 17 15 18 33.7 21.74 S 169.38 E 30 5.6 6.7 1.0 95 LOYALTY ISLANDS REGION. Ms 6.4 (BRK), 6.2 (PAS). The focal mechanism is poorly controlled and corresponds to reverse faulting. Feb 18 08 28 20.0 26.63 S 26.61 E 33 N 4.7 1.3 9 REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA. Four miners killed in a mine near Orkney. Felt in the Klerksdorp area. Feb 22 21 45 45.1 22.20 S 174.83 E 33 N 5.9 6.2 1.2 100 LOYALTY ISLANDS REGION. Ms 6.5 (BRK), 6.2 (PAS). Feb 24 20 53 38.4 38.22 N 22.93 E 33 N 5.9 6.7 1.2 248 GREECE. Ms 6.7 (BRK), 6.8 (PAS). Sixteen people killed, more than 400 injured, and considerable damage in the Athens-Corinth area. The focal mechanism is moderately well controlled and corresponds to normal faulting with a large strike-slip component. Feb 25 02 35 53.3 38.13 N 23.14 E 33 N 5.6 6.4 1.2 258 GREECE. Ms 6.4 (PAS). Additional casualties and damage. Mar 4 21 58 05.9 38.21 N 23.29 E 29 6.0 6.4 1.1 210 GREECE. Ms 6.6 (PAS), ML 6.2 (ATH). One person died from a heart attack, 9 people injured, and additional damage in the Athens-Corinth-Khalkis area. The focal mechanism is moderately well controlled and corresponds to normal faulting with a small strike-slip component. Mar 7 11 34 43.9 38.19 N 23.32 E 33 5.5 4.8 0.9 176 GREECE. ML 5.7 (ATH). One person killed and additional damage in the Athens area. Mar 10 15 16 19.8 39.48 N 20.70 E 31 5.6 1.2 165 GREECE-ALBANIA BORDER REGION. ML 5.2 (ATH). Two people killed in a rockslide and about 150 houses damaged in western Greece. Apr 18 00 32 39.8 13.14 S 74.38 W 38 5.3 4.8 0.9 98 PERU. Eight people killed, 15 injured, and damage in the Ayacucho area. Apr 24 21 50 06.0 13.43 S 166.42 E 33 N 6.1 6.9 1.3 192 VANUATU ISLANDS. Ms 7.3 (BRK), 6.5 (PAS). The focal mechanism is poorly controlled and corresponds to reverse faulting with a moderate strike-slip component. Apr 27 18 17 33.7 57.59 S 148.08 E 10 G 5.7 6.5 1.4 122 WEST OF MACQUARIE ISLAND. Ms 6.3 (PAS). The focal mechanism is moderately well controlled and corresponds to strike-slip faulting. May 25 05 25 14.4 48.79 S 164.36 E 33 6.1 7.6 1.2 199 OFF WEST COAST OF SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND. Ms 7.6 (BRK), 7.6 (PAS). Felt throughout southern South Island. The focal mechanism is poorly controlled and corresponds to reverse faulting. June 7 13 00 56.6 37.67 N 12.47 E 19 4.9 1.1 106 SICILY. Six people injured and 100 houses damaged (VI) in the Mazara del Vallo area. June 11 07 24 25.2 29.91 N 57.72 E 33 N 6.1 6.7 1.1 241 SOUTHERN IRAN. Ms 6.9 (BRK), 6.7 (PAS). Three thousand people killed, many injured, and extensive damage in Kerman Province. The focal mechanism is poorly controlled and corresponds to strike-slip faulting with a large reverse component. June 13 07 29 10.8 36.18 N 67.83 E 24 D 5.5 5.4 0.9 161 HINDU KUSH REGION. One person killed, 2 injured in the Jozjan Province, Afghanistan. Felt (IV) in the Ayvadzh-Termez area, USSR. June 22 17 53 21.3 13.17 S 74.52 W 24 5.1 5.2 1.0 82 PERU. At least 6 people killed, some injured and damage in the Ayacucho area. July 6 03 08 24.1 22.29 S 171.74 E 33 N 6.9 7.0 0.9 235 LOYALTY ISLANDS REGION. Ms 7.0 (BRK), 6.6 (PAS). Mo=2.6*10**20 Nm (HRV). The focal mechanism is poorly controlled and corresponds to reverse faulting. July 15 07 59 08.4 17.26 S 167.60 E 30 D 5.6 7.0 1.0 87 VANUATU ISLANDS. Ms 7.1 (BRK), 6.9 (PAS). Mo=5.8*10**19 Nm (HRV). Minor damage in the Shepherd Islands area. Felt at Port Vila. The focal mechanism is poorly controlled and corresponds to reverse faulting. July 28 17 22 24.6 30.01 N 57.79 E 33 N 5.7 7.1 1.2 205 IRAN. Ms 7.3 (BRK), 7.3 (PAS). Mo=6.7*10**19 Nm (HRV). Fifteen hundred people killed, 1,000 injured, 50,000 homeless and extensive damage in the Kerman region. The focal mechanism is poorly controlled and corresponds to reverse faulting with a moderate strike-slip component. Aug 13 02 58 11.9 44.85 N 17.31 E 16 5.4 5.5 1.2 143 YUGOSLAVIA. ML 5.8 (TRI), 5.4 (ROM). Mo=3.9*10**17 Nm (HRV). Forty-four people injured and damage (VIII) in the Banja Luka area. Felt in western Hungary and at Trieste, Italy. Sep 1 09 29 31.5 14.96 S 173.09 W 25 G 7.0 7.7 1.2 248 SAMOA ISLANDS REGION. Ms 7.9 (BRK), 7.7 (PAS). Mo=1.9*10**20 Nm (HRV). Felt (VI) at Apia. Local tsunami (24 cm peak-to-peak) recorded at Pago Pago. The focal mechanism is poorly controlled and corresponds to normal faulting. Sep 3 05 35 44.8 43.62 N 147.03 E 46 D 6.6 6.6 0.8 324 KURIL ISLANDS. Ms 6.3 (BRK), 6.3 (PAS). Mo=7.5*10**18 Nm (HRV). Damage (VIII) on Shikotan. Felt (V) on Kunashir and (IV JMA) in northeastern Hokkaido. The focal mechanism is poorly controlled and corresponds to reverse faulting. Sep 12 07 15 54.1 35.69 N 73.59 E 33 N 6.2 5.9 1.1 307 NORTHWESTERN KASHMIR. Ms 6.0 (PAS). Mo=1.9*10**18 Nm (HRV). At least 220 people killed, 2,500 injured, and extensive damage and landslides in the Gilgit area. Unconfirmed reports of surface faulting. Felt in the Srinagar area. Also felt at Peshawar and Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Sep 17 08 23 24.6 22.52 S 170.51 E 30 D 5.7 6.6 1.0 118 LOYALTY ISLANDS REGION. Ms 6.4 (BRK), 6.1 (PAS). Mo=1.6*10**19 Nm (HRV). The focal mechanism is poorly controlled and corresponds to reverse faulting. Oct 9 12 19 40.2 9.98 S 162.05 E 50 6.0 6.4 1.0 213 SOLOMON ISLANDS. Ms 6.3 (BRK), 6.5 (PAS). Mo=3.5*10**18 Nm (HRV). Oct 16 03 25 42.2 33.13 S 73.07 W 33 N 6.2 7.2 0.8 161 OFF COAST OF CENTRAL CHILE. MS 7.5 (BRK), 7.2 (PAS). Mo=5.1*10**19 Nm (HRV). One person killed in an auto accident caused by a panicked driver. Felt throughout central Chile. Maximum intensity (VI) at Las Cruces and Vina del Mar. The focal mechanism is moderately well controlled and corresponds to reverse faulting. Oct 18 04 31 02.7 8.12 N 72.53 W 54 5.4 0.8 196 VENEZUELA. Fifteen people killed, many injured, and extensive damage in the Cucuta, Colombia-San Cristobal, Venezuela area. Landslides also reported in the area. Oct 25 03 22 15.5 18.05 N 102.08 W 33 N 6.2 7.3 1.2 191 MICHOACAN, MEXICO. Ms 7.4 (BRK), 7.2 (PAS). Mo=7.0*10**19 Nm (HRV). One person killed, 11 injured, and damage at Mexico City. Two people killed, 17 injured and extensive damage in Michoacan. Felt throughout southern Mexico. The focal mechanism is poorly controlled and corresponds to reverse faulting. Oct 28 04 34 17.7 31.27 S 110.65 W 10 G 6.2 6.2 1.2 100 EASTER ISLAND REGION. Ms 6.6 (BRK), 6.4 (PAS). Mo=4.1*10**18 Nm (HRV). Nov 6 16 47 49.1 3.56 S 143.79 E 33 N 6.2 6.9 1.2 187 NEAR COAST OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA. Ms 6.9 (BRK), 6.5 (PAS). Mo=9.1*10**18 Nm (HRV). Minor damage (VI) in the Wewak area. The focal mechanism is poorly controlled and corresponds to reverse faulting with a large strike-slip component. Nov 7 03 29 51.0 32.20 S 71.37 W 65 6.2 6.8 1.0 238 NEAR COAST OF CENTRAL CHILE. Ms 6.5 (BRK). 6.5 (PAS). Mo=3.3*10**19 Nm (HRV). Minor damage (VII) in the La Ligua-Valparaiso area. Also felt in the San Juan-Mendoza, Argentina area. The focal mechanism is poorly controlled and corresponds to reverse faulting. Nov 14 09 05 29.0 23.69 N 32.60 E 10 G 5.1 5.3 1.2 143 ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT. Eleven buildings damaged in the Aswan area. Maximum intensity VIII. Surface faulting reported. Nov 22 15 05 20.5 18.75 N 120.84 E 24 D 6.2 6.5 1.0 298 LUZON, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. Ms 6.7 (BRK), 6.4 (PAS). Mo=5.3*10**18 Nm (HRV). Damage in the Bacarra-Laoag area. Felt throughout western Luzon. The focal mechanism is moderately well controlled and corresponds to normal faulting. Nov 24 23 30 32.6 22.50 S 170.64 E 30 5.6 6.7 1.1 215 LOYALTY ISLANDS REGION. Ms 6.9 (BRK), 6.6 (PAS). Mo=1.3*10**19 Nm (HRV). The focal mechanism is poorly controlled and corresponds to reverse faulting. Dec 12 20 26 46.9 29.86 N 66.96 E 33 N 4.6 4.0 0.9 38 PAKISTAN. Six people killed, 12 injured, and all 45 houses damaged at Koshkak. Felt in the Quetta- Mastung area. Dec 19 14 10 50.7 39.24 N 25.23 E 10 G 6.2 7.2 1.2 218 AEGEAN SEA. Ms 7.5 (BRK), 7.6 (PAS). Mo=2.4*10**19 Nm (HRV). Damage on Lesvos and Skiros and in western Turkey. Felt strongly in many parts of Greece. Also felt in southern Bulgaria. The focal mechanism is well controlled and corresponds to strike-slip faulting with a moderate reverse component. Dec 24 05 33 20.7 29.97 S 177.61 W 28 D 6.0 6.8 1.2 264 KERMADEC ISLANDS. Ms 7.0 (BRK), 6.6 (PAS). Mo=2.1*10**19 Nm (HRV). The focal mechanism is poorly controlled and corresponds to reverse faulting. Dec 26 17 05 32.5 29.93 S 177.74 W 33 N 6.1 7.1 1.2 248 KERMADEC ISLANDS. Ms 6.6 (PAS). Mo=4.6*10**19 Nm (HRV). The focal mechanism is poorly controlled and corresponds to reverse faulting. Dec 27 17 39 13.6 38.94 N 24.91 E 13 5.5 6.5 1.3 212 AEGEAN SEA. Ms 6.3 (PAS). Mo=3.3*10**18 Nm (HRV). Ten houses damaged slightly on Evvoia. Felt strongly in eastern Greece. Also felt in the Izmir, Turkey area. The focal mechanism is moderately well controlled and corresponds to strike-slip faulting. OTHER NOTABLE NORTH AMERICAN EARTHQUAKES 1981 Apr 26 12 09 28.4 33.13 N 115.65 W 6 G 5.5 6.0 157 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. ML 6.3 (BRK), 5.6 (PAS). Considerable damage (VII) in the Westmorland area. Felt throughout southern California from San Diego to Yuma, Arizona.