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Earthquakes in 1998 Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1998
Strongest magnitude 8.1 Mw Antarctica Deadliest 6.6 Afghanistan Total fatalities 9,934 9.0+ 0 8.0–8.9 1 7.0–7.9 11 6.0–6.9 204
This is a list of earthquakes in 1998 . Only earthquakes of magnitude 6 or above are included, unless they result in damage or casualties, or are notable for some other reason. All dates are listed according to UTC time. Maximum intensities are indicated on the Modified Mercalli intensity scale , and all data are sourced from the United States Geological Survey .
Rank
Magnitude
Death toll
Location
MMI
Depth (km)
Date
Event
1
6.6
4,500
Afghanistan , Hindu Kush
VII (Very strong )
30.0
May 30
May 1998 Afghanistan earthquake
2
7.0
2,700
Papua New Guinea , Aitape offshore
VIII (Severe )
10.0
July 17
1998 Papua New Guinea earthquake
3
5.9
2,323
Afghanistan , Hindu Kush
VIII (Severe )
33.0
February 4
February 1998 Afghanistan earthquake
4
6.3
145
Turkey , Adana
IX (Violent )
33.0
June 27
1998 Adana-Ceyhan earthquake
5
6.6
105
Bolivia , Cochabamba
VIII (Severe )
24.0
May 22
1998 Aiquile earthquake
6
5.7
70
China , Inner Mongolia
VIII (Severe )
30.3
January 10
1998 Zhangbei–Shanyi earthquake
7
7.7
41
Indonesia , North Maluku offshore
IX (Violent )
33.0
November 29
1998 North Maluku earthquake
8
5.8
12
Iran , Qayen
VI (Strong )
33.0
April 10
-
9
6.2
10
Portugal , Azores Islands offshore
VIII (Severe )
10.0
July 9
1998 Azores Islands earthquake
At least 10 dead.
Rank
Magnitude
Death toll
Location
MMI
Depth (km)
Date
1
8.1
0
Antarctica , Balleny Islands offshore
IV (Light )
10.0
March 25
2
7.7
41
Indonesia , North Maluku offshore
IX (Violent )
33.0
November 29
3
7.5
0
Japan , Ishigaki offshore
VI (Strong )
33.0
May 3
3
7.5
0
New Caledonia , Loyalty Islands offshore
I (Not felt )
100.6
January 4
5
7.2
0
Fiji , Levuka offshore
III (Weak )
537.2
March 29
5
7.2
3
Ecuador , Bahía de Caráquez
VIII (Severe )
33.0
August 4
7
7.1
1
Chile , Antofagasta
VII (Very strong )
42.0
January 30
7
7.1
0
Japan , Bonin Islands offshore
IV (Light )
440.5
August 20
9
7.0
2,700
Papua New Guinea , Aitape offshore
VIII (Severe )
10.0
July 17
9
7.0
0
Solomon Islands , Lata offshore
VII (Very strong )
110.2
July 16
9
7.0
0
Indonesia , Sumatra offshore
VI (Strong )
55.7
April 1
9
7.0
0
Indonesia , Banda Sea offshore
VII (Very strong )
33.0
November 9
January Strongest magnitude 7.5 Mw New Caledonia Deadliest 5.7 Mw China Total fatalities 71 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 2 6.0–6.9 6
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
4[ 1]
New Caledonia , Loyalty Islands offshore
7.5
100.6
I
-
-
-
10[ 2]
China Inner Mongolia
5.7
30.3
VIII
During the 1998 Zhangbei–Shanyi earthquake Shangyi -Zhangbei area. Over 70,000 houses were damaged or destroyed. Damage to portions of the Great Wall of China in northwestern Hebei Province .
70
11,500
10[ 3]
Peru , Madre De Dios
6.4
33.0
VII
-
-
-
10[ 4]
Guatemala , Suchitepequez
6.6
33.0
VI
Landslides and power outages occurred as well as some buildings damaged in Quezaltenango and San Marcos Departments. Several houses collapsed in Solola Department . 27 people were injured, including 3 in El Salvador
-
27
12[ 5]
Chile , Coquimbo
6.6
34.8
VII
-
-
-
12[ 6]
Fiji Region offshore
6.7
23.4
VI
This is an example of a Doublet earthquake
-
-
14[ 7]
6.6
33.0
I
-
-
27[ 8]
Fiji Islands offshore
6.5
610.1
I
-
-
-
30[ 9]
Chile , Antofagasta
7.1
42.0
VII
One person died from a heart attack and a few poorly constructed buildings suffered minor damage in Antofagasta .
1
-
February Strongest magnitude 6.8 Mw Iceland Deadliest 5.9 Mw Afghanistan Total fatalities 2,324 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 0 6.0–6.9 4
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
3[ 10]
Mexico , Oaxaca
6.4
33.0
VII
Moderate damage was reported at San Agustin.[citation needed
-
-
4[ 11]
Afghanistan , Hindu Kush region
5.9
30.0
VIII[ 12]
The February 1998 Afghanistan earthquake
2,323
818
11[ 13]
Philippines , Leyte
5.5
56.8
IV
Six people were injured, a fishing pier was destroyed, at least 11 buildings were damaged, roads cracked and water pipes were damaged at Sogod .
-
6
16[ 14]
Iceland , Reykjanes Ridge offshore
6.8
10.0
I
-
-
-
19[ 15]
Indonesia , Maluku offshore
6.5
33.0
IV
-
-
-
20[ 16]
Afghanistan , Hindu Kush region
6.4
235.6
IV
One person was killed and 11 people were injured in Pakistan . An earthquake-induced avalanche destroyed 35 houses, including a mosque, left 300 people homeless and killed several dozen livestock in Kashmir .
1
11
March Strongest magnitude 8.1 Mw Antarctica Deadliest 6.6 Mw Iran Total fatalities 6 8.0–8.9 1 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 4
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
3[ 17]
Guatemala region
6.1
62.8
V
Landslides blocked some highways and electrical cables were damaged in Nahuala .
-
-
14[ 18]
Iran , Kerman
6.6
9.0
VIII
Five people were Killed, 50 injured, 10,000 homeless, 2,000 houses damaged or destroyed and 1,200 livestock killed in Golbaf .
5
50
19[ 19]
China , Xinjiang
5.6
33.0
V
400 homes were destroyed and some livestock were killed.
-
-
20[ 20]
New Zealand , Auckland Islands offshore
6.7
10.0
I
-
-
-
25[ 21]
Antarctica , Balleny Islands offshore
8.1
10.0
IV
The 1998 Balleny Islands earthquake Australia .[ 22]
-
-
25[ 23]
Australia region offshore
6.4
10.0
I
-
-
-
26[ 24]
Italy , Assisi
5.4
10.0
VI
One person died from a heart attack and several buildings were damaged.
1
-
29[ 25]
Fiji , Levuka offshore
7.2
537.2
III
-
-
-
April Strongest magnitude 7.0 Mw Indonesia Deadliest 5.8 Iran Total fatalities 13 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 3
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
1[ 26]
Indonesia , Mentawai Islands Offshore
7.0
55.7
VI
-
-
-
1[ 27]
Chile , Los Lagos offshore
6.7
9.0
V
-
-
-
3[ 28]
Italy , Assisi
5.2
10.0
VII
Five people were slightly injured and 300 houses were damaged or destroyed in Gualdo .
-
5
3[ 29]
Peru , Ucayali
6.6
164.6
V
-
-
-
4[ 30]
Turkey , Afyon
5.3
10.0
VI
Some minor damage occurred in the Afyon area.
-
-
10[ 31]
Iran , Qayen
5.8
33.0
VI
At least 12 people were killed, 10 were injured and more than 600 homes were severely damaged in the Birjand -Gonabad area.
12
10
12[ 32]
Slovenia , Tolmin
5.6
10.0
VIII
One person died of a heart attack at Bovec . Landslides and damaged buildings left 700 people homeless. Some damage also occurred in Austria .
1
-
13[ 33]
Turkey , Bingöl
5.3
33.0
VI
Eleven people were injured and several buildings damaged or destroyed at Karliova .
-
11
20[ 34]
Mexico , Guerrero
6.0
67.3
V
-
-
-
May Strongest magnitude 7.5 Mw Japan Deadliest 6.6 Afghanistan Total fatalities 4,605 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 4
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
3[ 35]
Japan , Ryuku Islands offshore
7.5
33.0
V
A minor local tsunami was generated with recorded wave heights of 0.04 m on Ishigaki .
-
-
13[ 36]
Papua New Guinea , New Britain
6.6
61.4
VI
Some minor damage was reported in the Kokopo area.
-
-
16[ 37]
Fiji Islands offshore
6.9
586.1
I
-
-
-
22[ 38]
Bolivia , Cochabamba
6.6
24.0
VIII
The 1998 Bolivia earthquake Aiquile . 105 people were killed and 150 people were injured.
105
150
28[ 39]
Egypt , Mediterranean Sea offshore
5.5
10.0
VI
One person was injured at Cairo .
-
1
28[ 40]
China , Xinjiang
5.6
33.0
VI
28 people were injured, more than 2,000 buildings were destroyed, an additional 3,000 were damaged and 5,000 head of cattle were killed in Xinjiang .
-
28
30[ 41]
Afghanistan , Badakhshan Province
6.6
30.0
VII
The May 1998 Afghanistan earthquake
4,500
10,001
June Strongest magnitude 6.4 Mw Russia Deadliest 6.3 Turkey Total fatalities 145 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 0 6.0–6.9 5
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
4[ 47]
Turkey , Adana
5.4
33.0
VI
An apartment building collapsed, injuring 1,000 people.
-
1,000
9[ 48]
Portugal , Azores Islands offshore
6.2
10.0
VIII
Ten people were killed, 100 were injured and 1,000 were left homeless in the 1998 Azores Islands earthquake
10
100
9[ 49]
Azerbaijan region
6.0
26.0
VI
Extensive damage occurred in areas from Astara to Yardimli .
-
-
9[ 50]
New Zealand , Kermadec Islands offshore
6.9
129.5
I
-
-
-
16[ 51]
Solomon Islands , Nendo offshore
7.0
110.2
VII
-
-
-
17[ 52]
Taiwan , Nantou County
5.7
12.6
VI
Five people were killed and 27 were injured. Damage and landslides occurred in Chiayi County .
5
27
17[ 53]
Papua New Guinea , Aitape offshore
7.0
10.0
VIII
The 1998 Papua New Guinea earthquake
2,700
Thousands
28[ 54]
China , Xinjiang
5.2
33.0
VI
Several people were injured and 19 houses collapsed in Baicheng County .
-
Several
29[ 55]
Chile , Valparaiso
6.4
51.1
VI
Two people died from heart attacks in Santiago and four miners were injured at the Boton de Oro mine .
2
4
29[ 56]
Indonesia , Papua
6.7
33.0
VII
-
-
-
August Strongest magnitude 7.2 Mw Ecuador Deadliest 7.2 Ecuador China 3 deaths Total fatalities 6 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 2 6.0–6.9 3
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
2[ 57]
China , Xinjiang
5.6
10.0
V
Several homes were destroyed in Jiashi County , and two people were injured.
-
2
4[ 58]
Iran , Khorasan Province
5.3
33.0
V
Some damage occurred in Khorasan Province .
-
-
4[ 59]
Ecuador , Manabi
7.2
33.0
VIII
The 1998 Bahía de Caráquez earthquake
3
40
12[ 60]
United States , California
5.1
8.8
VI
Two people were injured in Santa Cruz County . Some damage to a church at San Juan Bautista and minor cracking of highway 101 in San Benito County .
-
2
15[ 61]
Italy , Lazio
4.8
10.0
VII
Some damage occurred at Antrodoco
-
-
15[ 62]
Japan , Nagano Prefecture
5.5
10.0
V
Damage occurred from a landslide in Gifu Prefecture .
-
-
20[ 63]
Japan , Bonin Islands offshore
7.1
440.5
IV
-
-
-
20[ 64]
United States , Alaska , Aleutian Islands offshore
6.3
33.0
I
-
-
-
23[ 65]
Nicaragua , Chinandega offshore
6.7
54.6
II
-
-
27[ 66]
China , Xinjiang
6.4
10.0
VII
Three people were killed, seven were injured, more than 3,600 houses were destroyed, 18,771 damaged and 159 livestock were killed in Jiashi County .
3
7
28[ 67]
Japan , Tokyo offshore
5.4
75.9
V
Two people were slightly injured in the Tokyo -Yokohama area.
-
2
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
2[ 68]
Philippines , Mindanao offshore
6.8
50.0
V
Objects fell from shelves in General Santos .
-
-
3[ 69]
Japan , Iwate
5.9
38.1
VIII
Eleven people were injured and landslides blocked two roads in the epicentral area.
-
11
3[ 70]
Chile , Coquimbo offshore
6.6
27.0
VI
Two people were injured in La Serena .
-
2
15[ 71]
Japan , Miyagi
5.1
50.4
IV
One person suffered minor injuries in Miyagi .
-
1
21[ 72]
Vanuatu , Torba offshore
6.4
33.0
VI
-
-
-
24[ 73]
Mongolia , Dundgovi
5.6
33.0
VII
Many houses were damaged in Mandalgovi .
-
-
28[ 74]
Indonesia , Java
6.6
151.6
V
One person was killed, with 38 houses destroyed and 62 others damaged in Malang .
1
-
29[ 75]
FR Yugoslavia
5.5
10.0
VIII
During the 1998 Mionica earthquake
1
17
30[ 76]
Albania , Kukës
5.3
10.0
VI
700 houses were damaged.
-
-
October Strongest magnitude 6.6 Mw Indonesia Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 0 6.0–6.9 2
November Strongest magnitude 7.7 Mw Indonesia Deadliest 7.7 Indonesia Total fatalities 51 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 2 6.0–6.9 2
Date
Country and location
Mw
Depth (km)
MMI Notes
Casualties
Dead
Injured
8[ 83]
Indonesia , East Nusa Tenggara offshore
6.4
33.0
VI
-
-
-
9[ 84]
Indonesia , East Timor offshore
6.7
33.0
VI
-
-
-
9[ 85]
7.0
33.0
VII
-
-
-
13[ 86]
Iran , Fars
5.4
33.0
V
Five people were killed, 105 others were injured and at least 850 houses were damaged by the earthquake and landslides.
5
105
18[ 87]
Iran , Kerman
5.4
33.0
V
Damage occurred in Kerman .
-
-
19[ 88]
China , Yunnan
5.6
33.0
V
More than 28,000 houses were damaged in the earthquake, and five people were killed, with 1,543 others injured.
5
1,543
29[ 89]
Indonesia , North Maluku offshore
7.7
33.0
IX
41 people were killed and 171 people were injured in the 1998 North Maluku earthquake
41
171
December Strongest magnitude 6.8 Mw Tonga Deadliest 5.7 Afghanistan Total fatalities 5 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 0 6.0–6.9 2
^ "M 7.5 - southeast of the Loyalty Islands" .^ "M 5.7 - 44 km NW of Zhangjiakou, China" .^ "M 6.4 - 101 km E of Pangoa, Peru" .^ "M 6.6 - 10 km SSW of San José El Ídolo, Guatemala" .^ "M 6.6 - 47 km SSW of Ovalle, Chile" .^ "M 6.7 - 149 km ENE of Labasa, Fiji" .^ "M 6.6 - 159 km ENE of Labasa, Fiji" .^ "M 6.5 - south of the Fiji Islands" .^ "M 7.1 - 34 km SSE of Antofagasta, Chile" .^ "M 6.4 - 2 km E of Benito Juárez, Mexico" .^ "M 5.9 - 23 km ESE of Rust?q, Afghanistan" .^ "PAGER - Recent Earthquake History" . USGS. October 29, 2009. Archived from the original on 9 September 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2024 .^ "M 5.5 - 6 km S of Sogod, Philippines" .^ "M 6.8 - Reykjanes Ridge" .^ "M 6.5 - 126 km S of Amahai, Indonesia" .^ "M 6.4 - 46 km WSW of Ashk?sham, Afghanistan" .^ "M 6.1 - 9 km SSW of San José El Ídolo, Guatemala" .^ "M 6.6 - 52 km ESE of Kerman, Iran" .^ "M 5.6 - 84 km NE of Kashgar, China" .^ "M 6.7 - Auckland Islands, New Zealand region" .^ "M 8.1 - Balleny Islands region" .^ "Tsunami information" . NGDC.^ "M 6.4 - south of Australia" .^ "M 5.4 - 1 km E of Esanatoglia, Italy" .^ "M 7.2 - 178 km ENE of Levuka, Fiji" .^ "M 7.0 - 95 km W of Pariaman, Indonesia" .^ "M 6.7 - 131 km WSW of Corral, Chile" .^ "M 5.2 - 8 km E of Valfabbrica, Italy" .^ "M 6.6 - 43 km NE of San Fernando, Peru" .^ "M 5.3 - 4 km N of Dinar, Turkey" .^ "M 5.8 - 84 km ESE of B?rjand, Iran" .^ "M 5.6 - 5 km E of Kobarid, Slovenia" .^ "M 5.3 - 7 km SE of Karl?ova, Turkey" .^ "M 6.0 - 17 km ENE of Aratichanguío, Mexico" .^ "M 7.5 - 254 km SSE of Ishigaki, Japan" .^ "M 6.6 - 108 km SW of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea" .^ "M 6.9 - south of the Fiji Islands" .^ "M 6.6 - 25 km NNW of Mizque, Bolivia" .^ "M 5.5 - 41 km E of Mersa Matruh, Egypt" .^ "M 5.6 - 13 km NNE of Zangguy, China" .^ "M 6.6 - 24 km E of Rust?q, Afghanistan" .^ "M 6.4 - 96 km E of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia" .^ "M 6.3 - 2 km NNE of Cabeza de Toro, Mexico" .^ "M 6.3 - Ascension Island region" .^ "M 6.3 - 12 km S of Adana, Turkey" .^ "M 6.3 - west of Macquarie Island" .^ "M 5.4 - 12 km S of Adana, Turkey" .^ "M 6.2 - 12 km N of Horta, Portugal" .^ "M 6.0 - 10 km SE of Lerik, Azerbaijan" .^ "M 6.9 - Kermadec Islands, New Zealand" .^ "M 7.0 - 52 km SE of Lata, Solomon Islands" .^ "M 5.7 - 31 km ESE of Pizitou, Taiwan" .^ "M 7.0 - 50 km WNW of Aitape, Papua New Guinea" .^ "M 5.2 - 119 km NE of Aksu, China" .^ "M 6.4 - 16 km NNW of La Ligua, Chile" .^ "M 6.7 - 192 km W of Abepura, Indonesia" .^ "M 5.6 - 87 km E of Kashgar, China" .^ "M 5.3 - 15 km SSW of Bojnurd, Iran" .^ "M 7.2 - 3 km E of Bahía de Caráquez, Ecuador" .^ "M 5.1 - 10 km SW of Ridgemark, California" .^ "M 4.8 - 3 km NE of Cittaducale, Italy" .^ "M 5.5 - 22 km WSW of Hotaka, Japan" .^ "M 7.1 - Bonin Islands, Japan region" .^ "M 6.3 - 196 km SE of Attu Station, Alaska" .^ "M 6.7 - 130 km SW of Corinto, Nicaragua" .^ "M 6.4 - 118 km E of Kashgar, China" .^ "M 5.4 - 14 km E of Kawasaki, Japan" .^ "M 6.8 - 123 km SSE of Pondaguitan, Philippines" .^ "M 5.9 - 19 km W of Shizukuishi, Japan" .^ "M 6.6 - 66 km NNW of Coquimbo, Chile" .^ "M 5.1 - 12 km E of Tendo, Japan" .^ "M 6.4 - 88 km WNW of Sola, Vanuatu" .^ "M 5.6 - 61 km N of Mandalgovi, Mongolia" .^ "M 6.6 - 8 km WSW of Sumberpucung, Indonesia" .^ "M 5.5 - 12 km W of Ljig, Serbia" .^ "M 5.3 - 17 km S of Kukës, Albania" .^ "M 5.4 - 15 km WNW of Darreh Shahr, Iran" .^ "M 6.2 - 16 km SSE of Pucara, Peru" .^ "M 5.9 - 57 km N of Palu, Indonesia" .^ "M 4.4 - 6 km ESE of El Crucero, Nicaragua" .^ "M 4.7 - 91 km ENE of Lijiang, China" .^ "M 6.6 - 128 km ESE of Tondano, Indonesia" .^ "M 6.4 - 41 km SW of Ende, Indonesia" .^ "M 6.7 - 282 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste" .^ "M 7.0 - 278 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste" .^ "M 5.4 - 53 km WNW of Gerash, Iran" .^ "M 5.4 - 46 km E of Kerman, Iran" .^ "M 5.6 - 93 km ENE of Lijiang, China" .^ "M 7.7 - 264 km ESE of Luwuk, Indonesia" .^ "M 4.5 - 56 km SSW of Weining, China" .^ "M 6.6 - 138 km E of Laikit, Laikit II (Dimembe), Indonesia" .^ "M 5.7 - 42 km SSE of Jurm, Afghanistan" .^ "M 6.8 - 131 km WSW of Haveluloto, Tonga" .
Zhangbei-Shanyi (5.7, Jan 10) † 1st Afghanistan (6.1, Feb 4) † Balleny Islands (8.1, Mar 25)Ryukyu Islands (7.5, May 4)
2nd Afghanistan (6.5, May 30) † ‡ Aiquile (6.6 May 22) † Adana–Ceyhan (6.3, Jun 27) † Azores Islands (6.2, Jul 9)Papua New Guinea (7.0, Jul 17) † Bahía de Caráquez (7.2, Aug 4)Pymatuning (5.2, Sep 25)Mionica (5.5, Sep 29)Ninglang (6.2, Nov 19)North Maluku (7.7, Nov 29) † † indicates earthquake resulting in at least 30 deaths‡ indicates the deadliest earthquake of the year
Antarctica
Afghanistan 
Papua New Guinea, Aitape offshore
Turkey, Adana
Bolivia, Cochabamba
China, Inner Mongolia
Indonesia, North Maluku offshore
Iran, Qayen
Portugal, Azores Islands offshore
Japan, Ishigaki offshore
New Caledonia, Loyalty Islands offshore
Fiji, Levuka offshore
Ecuador, Bahía de Caráquez
Chile, Antofagasta
Solomon Islands, Lata offshore
Peru, Madre De Dios
Guatemala, Suchitepequez
Iceland
Mexico, Oaxaca
Philippines, Leyte
New Zealand, Auckland Islands offshore
Australia region offshore
Italy, Assisi
Slovenia, Tolmin
Egypt, Mediterranean Sea offshore
Russia
United Kingdom, Ascension Island region offshore
Azerbaijan region
Taiwan, Nantou County
United States, California
Nicaragua, Chinandega offshore
Philippines
FR Yugoslavia 1 death
Vanuatu, Torba offshore
Mongolia, Dundgovi
Albania, Kukës
Tonga