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.
Feeds & Data
