Today in Earthquake History

On May 6th...

• M6.5 - Austria-Italy-Slovenia Border Region, 1976

  One of the world's deadliest earthquakes. 1,000 reported killed, at least 1,700 injured, and extensive damage in the epicentral area. The quake was reported felt throughout Europe. A magnitude 4.6 foreshock preceded the main shock by about 1 minute and 7 seconds. The main shock was followed by a number of aftershocks, at least one reaching a magnitude of 5, that caused additional damage and injuries.
  From Significant Earthquakes of the World 1976, and Earthquake Information Bulletin, Volume 8, Number 5.

• M6.3 - El Salvador-Costa Rica Border, 1951

  A series of shocks killed 400, injured 4,000, and made 25,000 homeless. Severe damage in the Jucuapa-Chinameca area from 3 strong earthquakes within 24 hours, with this being the largest. It was preceded by a magnitude 6.0 event at 23:03 and followed by a magnitude 5.8 quake on May 07 at 20:22. Some sources list the death toll as 1,100; others give that as the number injured.

• M - Wisconsin, 1947

  The largest historical earthquake in Wisconsin. The earthquake was felt in a 3,000 square mile area of southeastern Wisconsin, shaking buildings and rattling windows in most communities in the area. Some frightened Milwaukee residents ran into the streets in the belief there had been a serious explosion. The shock caused only minor damage and there were no reports of injuries to any residents of the area. There were a few reports of broken windows in Kenosha, and residents of other communities reported that dishes and glasses had fallen from shelves. The earthquake was centered just south of Milwaukee on the shore of Lake Michigan. It was felt in a 100-mile-wide strip from Sheboygan, Wisconsin, to the Wisconsin-Illinois border, and extended from the lakeshore 25 miles inland to Waukesha.
  From United States Earthquakes, 1947.

• M7.2 - Turkey-Iran Border Region, 1930

  Over 2500 dead. One of the world's deadliest earthquakes. About 60 villages destroyed in the Salmas Plain and surrounding mountains. The town of Dilman (population 18,000) was completely destroyed, but there were only 1,100 deaths because a magnitude 5.4 foreshock had occurred at 07:03 UTC. Although the foreshock killed 25 people, it probably saved thousands of lives since many people chose to sleep outdoors that night. Faulting was observed on the Salmas and Derik Faults, with the maximum offsets 5 m (16 ft) vertically and 4 m (13 ft) horizontally on the Salmas Fault. Dilman was rebuilt west of the ruins and named Shahpur, now Salmas.