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Approximate epicenters of the earthquakes in 1920
Strongest magnitude | China Ningxia Province 16 December (Magnitude 8.3) |
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Deadliest | China Ningxia Province 16 December (Magnitude 8.3) 242,029 deaths |
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Total fatalities | 244,887 |
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Number by magnitude |
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9.0+ | 0 |
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8.0–8.9 | 3 |
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7.0–7.9 | 7 |
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6.0–6.9 | 29 |
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5.0–5.9 | 2 |
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This is a list of earthquakes in 1920. 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. With over 200,000 deaths being recorded in China, and substantial fatalities elsewhere, 1920 was one of the deadliest years of the 20th century for earthquakes.
Overall
By death toll
Rank | Death toll | Magnitude | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
1 | 242,029 | 8.3 | China, Ningxia Province | XII (Extreme) | 15.0 | 16 December |
2 | 1,400 | 5.8 | Italy, Emilia-Romagna | X (Extreme) | 10.0 | 7 September |
3 | 648 | 6.3 | Mexico, Veracruz | X (Extreme) | 0.0 | 3 January |
4 | 400 | 6.0 | Argentina, Mendoza Province | VIII (Severe) | 10.0 | 17 December |
5 | 200 | 6.2 | Albania, Gjirokaster County | XI (Extreme) | 25.0 | 26 November |
= 6 | 101 | 6.2 | Georgia, Shida Kartli | ( ) | 11.0 | 20 February |
= 6 | 101 | 5.6 | Albania, Vlore County | IX (Violent) | 0.0 | 18 December |
- Note: At least 10 casualties
By magnitude
Rank | Magnitude | Death toll | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
1 | 8.3 | 242,029 | China, Ningxia Province | XII (Extreme) | 15.0 | 16 December |
2 | 8.2 | 8 | Taiwan, east of | VII (Very strong) | 20.0 | 5 June |
3 | 8.1 | 0 | France, Loyalty Islands | ( ) | 25.0 | 20 September |
= 4 | 7.8 | 0 | New Guinea, East New Britain Province | ( ) | 35.0 | 2 February |
5 | 7.3 | 0 | Argentina, Neuquen Province | ( ) | 15.0 | 10 December |
= 6 | 7.1 | 0 | Russian SFSR, Sea of Okhotsk | ( ) | 355.1 | 22 February |
= 6 | 7.1 | 0 | Russian SFSR, southern end of Urup, Kuril Islands | ( ) | 35.0 | 18 October |
= 7 | 7.0 | 0 | southern East Pacific Rise | ( ) | 10.0 | 20 March |
= 7 | 7.0 | 0 | New Guinea, off the north coast of | ( ) | 25.0 | 13 May |
- Note: At least 7.0 magnitude
Notable events
January
JanuaryStrongest magnitude | 7.8 Mw Mexico |
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Deadliest | 7.8 Mw Mexico 648 deaths |
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Total fatalities | 648 |
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Number by magnitude |
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8.0–8.9 | 0 |
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7.0–7.9 | 1 |
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6.0–6.9 | 1 |
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Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties |
Dead | Injured |
3[1] | Mexico, Veracruz | 6.3[2] | 15.0 | X | The 1920 Xalapa earthquake left 648 people were killed and another 167 were injured. Damage was caused. | 648 | 167 |
30[3] | Colombia, Cauca Department | 6.0 | 35.0 | | | | |
February
FebruaryStrongest magnitude | 7.8 Mw New Guinea |
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Deadliest | 6.2 Mw Georgia 101+ deaths |
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Total fatalities | 101+ |
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Number by magnitude |
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8.0–8.9 | 0 |
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7.0–7.9 | 2 |
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6.0–6.9 | 3 |
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Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties |
Dead | Injured |
2[4][5] | New Guinea, East New Britain Province | 7.8 | 35.0 | | A few homes were destroyed. | | |
7[6] | Japan, off the east coast of Honshu | 6.7 | 35.0 | | | | |
10[7] | United States, northwest of Puerto Rico | 6.4 | 15.0 | | | | |
20[8] | DR Georgia, Shida Kartli | 6.2 | 11.0 | | At least 101 people were killed and many homes were damaged due to the 1920 Gori earthquake. | 101+ | |
22[9] | Russian SFSR, Sea of Okhotsk | 7.1 | 355.1 | | | | |
March
MarchStrongest magnitude | 7.0 Mw southern East Pacific Rise |
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Total fatalities | 0 |
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Number by magnitude |
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8.0–8.9 | 0 |
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7.0–7.9 | 1 |
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6.0–6.9 | 2 |
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April
AprilStrongest magnitude | 6.6 Mw Mexico |
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Total fatalities | 0 |
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Number by magnitude |
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8.0–8.9 | 0 |
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7.0–7.9 | 0 |
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6.0–6.9 | 3 |
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May
MayStrongest magnitude | 7.0 Mw New Guinea |
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Total fatalities | 0 |
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Number by magnitude |
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8.0–8.9 | 0 |
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7.0–7.9 | 1 |
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6.0–6.9 | 7 |
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June
JuneStrongest magnitude | 8.2 Mw Taiwan |
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Deadliest | 8.2 Mw Taiwan 8 deaths |
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Total fatalities | 8 |
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Number by magnitude |
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8.0–8.9 | 1 |
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7.0–7.9 | 0 |
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6.0–6.9 | 1 |
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July
JulyStrongest magnitude | 6.0 Mw Canada |
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Total fatalities | 0 |
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Number by magnitude |
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8.0–8.9 | 0 |
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7.0–7.9 | 0 |
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6.0–6.9 | 1 |
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Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties |
Dead | Injured |
7[27] | Canada, southern Yukon Territory | 6.0 | 35.0 | | | | |
August
AugustStrongest magnitude | 6.9 Mw 2 events |
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Total fatalities | 0 |
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Number by magnitude |
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8.0–8.9 | 0 |
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7.0–7.9 | 0 |
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6.0–6.9 | 4 |
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September
SeptemberStrongest magnitude | 8.1 Mw France |
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Deadliest | 5.8 Mw Italy 1,400 deaths |
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Total fatalities | 1,400 |
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Number by magnitude |
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8.0–8.9 | 1 |
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7.0–7.9 | 0 |
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6.0–6.9 | 1 |
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5.0–5.9 | 1 |
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Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties |
Dead | Injured |
7[33] | Italy, Emilia-Romagna | 5.8 | 10.0 | X | There was conflicting information about the 1920 Garfagnana earthquake. Some sources put the death toll as high as 1,400 whereas others report 171 deaths. | 1,400 | |
16[34] | Japan, southeast of Hokkaido | 6.5 | 35.0 | | | | |
20[35][36] | France, Loyalty Islands | 8.1 | 25.0 | | A tsunami caused some minor damage. | | |
October
OctoberStrongest magnitude | 7.1 Mw Russia |
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Total fatalities | 0 |
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Number by magnitude |
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8.0–8.9 | 0 |
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7.0–7.9 | 1 |
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6.0–6.9 | 2 |
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November
NovemberStrongest magnitude | 6.2 Mw Albanian Kingdom |
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Deadliest | 6.2 Mw Albanian Kingdom 200 deaths |
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Total fatalities | 200 |
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Number by magnitude |
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8.0–8.9 | 0 |
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7.0–7.9 | 0 |
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6.0–6.9 | 1 |
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Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties |
Dead | Injured |
26[40] | Albania, Gjirokaster County | 6.2 | 25.0 | XI | 200 people were killed. Many homes were destroyed. | 200 | |
December
DecemberStrongest magnitude | 8.3 Mw China |
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Deadliest | 8.3 Mw China 242,029 deaths |
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Total fatalities | 242,530 |
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Number by magnitude |
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8.0–8.9 | 1 |
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7.0–7.9 | 1 |
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6.0–6.9 | 3 |
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5.0–5.9 | 1 |
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Date | Country and location | Mw | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties |
Dead | Injured |
10[41] | Argentina, Neuquen Province | 7.3 | 15.0 | | | | |
16[42][43] | China, Ningxia | 8.3 | 15.0 | XII | The 1920 Haiyuan earthquake was one of the deadliest events of the 20th century. Over 200,000 deaths were caused in the region. Based on a list of cities affected there was at least 242,029 people killed. Property damage was around $25 million (1920 rate). Parts of the regional terrain were affected with uplift or slumping. | 242,029 | |
17[44] | Argentina, Mendoza Province | 6.0 | 10.0 | VIII | 400 people were killed and many homes were destroyed in the 1920 Mendoza earthquake. | 400 | |
18[45] | Albania, Vlore County | 5.6 | 0.0 | IX | At least 101 people were killed. Many homes were destroyed. | 101+ | |
19[46] | Japan, off the east coast of Honshu | 6.8 | 35.0 | | | | |
25[47] | China, Ningxia | 6.8 | 15.0 | | Aftershock. | | |
References
- ^ "Significant Earthquake: MEXICO: VERACRUZ: COZAUTLAN, PUEBLA: PATLANALA". National Geophysical Data Center. 3 January 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- ^ ISC (27 June 2022), ISC-GEM Global Instrumental Earthquake Catalogue (1900–2009), Version 9.1, International Seismological Centre
- ^ "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. 30 January 1920. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
- ^ "M 7.8 – New Britain region, Papua New Guinea". United States Geological Survey. 2 February 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- ^ "Significant Earthquake: PAPUA NEW GUINEA: NEW BRITAIN". National Geophysical Data Center. 2 February 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- ^ "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. 7 February 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- ^ "M 6.4 – Puerto Rico region". United States Geological Survey. 10 February 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- ^ "Significant Earthquake: GEORGIA: CAUCASUS: GORI, TIFLIS". National Geophysical Data Center. 20 February 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- ^ "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. 22 February 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- ^ "M 6.3 – off the west coast of northern Sumatra". United States Geological Survey. 17 March 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- ^ "M 7.0 – southern East Pacific Rise". United States Geological Survey. 20 March 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- ^ "M 6.4 – Vancouver Island, Canada region". United States Geological Survey. 29 March 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- ^ "M 6.3 – eastern New Guinea region, Papua New Guinea". United States Geological Survey. 2 April 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- ^ "M 6.3 – Kuril Islands". United States Geological Survey. 11 April 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- ^ "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. 19 April 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- ^ "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. 6 May 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- ^ "M 6.8 – Mindanao, Philippines". United States Geological Survey. 7 May 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- ^ "M 6.8 – Solomon Islands". United States Geological Survey. 7 May 1920. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
- ^ "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. 10 May 1920. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
- ^ "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. 12 May 1920. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
- ^ "M 7.0 – near the north coast of New Guinea, Papua New Guinea". United States Geological Survey. 13 May 1920. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
- ^ "M 6.8 – Santa Cruz Islands". United States Geological Survey. 20 May 1920. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
- ^ "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. 27 May 1920. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
- ^ "M 8.2 – Taiwan". United States Geological Survey. 5 June 1920. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
- ^ "Significant Earthquake: TAIWAN". National Geophysical Data Center. 5 June 1920. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
- ^ "M 6.8 – Banda Sea". United States Geological Survey. 9 June 1920. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
- ^ "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. 7 July 1920. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
- ^ "M 6.9 – Catamarca, Argentina". United States Geological Survey. 3 August 1920. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
- ^ "On-Line Bulletin". International Seismological Centre. 13 August 1920. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
- ^ "M 6.7 – Santa Cruz Islands". United States Geological Survey. 15 August 1920. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
- ^ "M 6.9 – Araucania, Chile". United States Geological Survey. 20 August 1920. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
- ^ "Significant Earthquake: CHILE: OFF COAST CENTRAL". National Geophysical Data Center. 20 August 1920. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
- ^ "Significant Earthquake: ITALY: CARRARA,GARFAGNANA". National Geophysical Data Center. 7 September 1920. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
- ^ "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. 16 September 1920. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
- ^ "M 8.1 – Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia". United States Geological Survey. 20 September 1920. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
- ^ "Tsunami Event: VANUATU ISLANDS". National Geophysical Data Center. 20 September 1920. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
- ^ "M 6.7 – Xinjiang-Xizang border region". United States Geological Survey. 12 October 1920. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
- ^ "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. 18 October 1920. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
- ^ "M 6.4 – Taiwan region". United States Geological Survey. 20 October 1920. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
- ^ "Significant Earthquake: ALBANIA: TEPELENE, DRAGOTI, PESHTANI, MARICAJ". United States Geological Survey. 26 November 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- ^ "M 7.3 – Neuquen, Argentina". United States Geological Survey. 10 December 1920. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
- ^ "M 8.3 – Gansu-Ningxia border region, China". United States Geological Survey. 16 December 1920. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
- ^ "Significant Earthquake: CHINA: GANSU PROVINCE, SHANXI PROVINCE". United States Geological Survey. 16 December 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- ^ "Significant Earthquake: ARGENTINA: MENDOZA". United States Geological Survey. 17 December 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- ^ "Significant Earthquake: ALBANIA: ELBASAN, PEQIN". United States Geological Survey. 18 December 1920. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
- ^ "Centennial Earthquake Catalog". United States Geological Survey. 19 December 1920. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
- ^ "M 6.8 – Nei Mongol-Ningxia border region, China". United States Geological Survey. 25 December 1920. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
Earthquakes in the 1920s |
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1920 | |
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1921 | |
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1923 | |
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1925 | |
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1927 | |
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1928 | |
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1929 | |
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† indicates earthquake resulting in at least 30 deaths ‡ indicates the deadliest earthquake of the year |