List of earthquakes in 1971
# List of earthquakes in 1971

This is a list of earthquakes in 1971. 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. Maximum intensities are indicated on the Mercalli intensity scale and are sourced from United States Geological Survey (USGS) ShakeMap data. Like the previous year, 1971 had heightened seismic activity. 20 earthquakes exceeded magnitude 7 with 2 of those measuring above magnitude 8. Both of the magnitude 8 events happened within a 12-day span in July in Papua New Guinea. A fairly robust aftershock sequence followed which contributed to the number of magnitude 7+ events. Chile, Russia and Indonesia had significant events during the year. The deadliest earthquake accounting for the vast majority of the 1,290 fatalities occurred in Turkey in May. 1,000 died in this event coming not long after another deadly event elsewhere in the country. In February, Los Angeles, California was jolted by one of its largest events resulting in 65 deaths.

## Overall

### By death toll

| Rank | Death toll | Magnitude | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | 1,000 | 6.9 | Turkey, Bingöl Province | VIII (Severe) | 10.0 | May 22 |
| 2 | 100 | 6.2 | Turkey, Burdur Province | VII (Very strong) | 22.5 | May 12 |
| 3 | 83 | 7.8 | Chile, Valparaíso Region | IX (Violent) | 60.3 | July 9 |
| 4 | 65 | 6.6 | United States, San Fernando Valley, California | XI (Extreme) | 9.0 | February 9 |
| 5 | 24 | 4.6 | Italy, Lazio | VIII (Severe) | 33.0 | February 6 |

* Note: At least 10 casualties

### By magnitude

| Rank | Magnitude | Death toll | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | 8.1 | 0 | Australia, southeast of New Ireland, Papua and New Guinea | VIII (Severe) | 40.0 | July 26 |
| 2 | 8.0 | 3 | Australia, southeast of New Ireland, Papua and New Guinea | IX (Violent) | 40.0 | July 14 |
| 3 | 7.8 | 83 | Chile, Valparaíso Region | IX (Violent) | 60.3 | July 9 |
| 4 | 7.7 | 0 | Indonesia, Papua (province) | IX (Violent) | 30.0 | January 10 |
| 5 | 7.6 | 0 | Soviet Union, off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia | X (Extreme) | 27.5 | December 15 |
| 6 | 7.4 | 1 | Peru, Loreto Region | VII (Very strong) | 120.0 | July 27 |
| = 7 | 7.3 | 0 | Soviet Union, southwest of Sakhalin Island, Russia | IX (Violent) | 18.1 | September 5 |
| = 7 | 7.3 | 0 | Soviet Union, off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia | VII (Very strong) | 125.0 | November 24 |
| = 8 | 7.1 | 0 | southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge | ( ) | 15.0 | January 3 |
| = 8 | 7.1 | 0 | Japan, off the south coast of Hokkaido | VI (Strong) | 54.8 | August 2 |
| = 8 | 7.1 | 0 | United Kingdom, Santa Cruz Islands, Solomon Islands | VII (Very strong) | 113.1 | November 21 |
| = 9 | 7.0 | 0 | Indonesia, off the west coast of Sumatra | VII (Very strong) | 30.0 | February 4 |
| = 9 | 7.0 | 0 | United States, Andreanof Islands, Alaska | VI (Strong) | 28.9 | February 7 |
| = 9 | 7.0 | 0 | United Kingdom, South Shetland Islands | ( ) | 12.5 | February 8 |
| = 9 | 7.0 | 0 | Indonesia, off the west coast of Sumatra | V (Moderate) | 75.0 | April 8 |
| = 9 | 7.0 | 0 | United States, Andreanof Islands, Alaska | VII (Very strong) | 24.2 | May 2 |
| = 9 | 7.0 | 0 | Soviet Union, Magadan Oblast, Russia | VIII (Severe) | 10.0 | May 18 |
| = 9 | 7.0 | 0 | Australia, southeast of New Ireland, Papua and New Guinea | VI (Strong) | 35.0 | July 19 |
| = 9 | 7.0 | 0 | Australia, off the east coast of New Britain, Papua and New Guinea | VI (Strong) | 40.0 | July 26 |
| = 9 | 7.0 | 0 | Indonesia, Banda Sea | V (Moderate) | 131.0 | September 16 |

* Note: At least 7.0 magnitude

## Notable events

### January

| Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | Casualties |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Dead | Injured |
| 1 | Australia, Sandaun Province, Papua and New Guinea | 6.0 | 35.0 | VI | | | |
| 3 | southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge | 7.1 | 15.0 | | | | |
| 10 | Indonesia, Papua (province) | 7.7 | 30.0 | IX | A few homes collapsed whilst others sustained damage. | | |
| 10 | Indonesia, Papua (province) | 6.6 | 30.0 | VI | Aftershock. | | |
| 10 | Indonesia, Papua (province) | 6.0 | 30.0 | VI | Aftershock. | | |
| 10 | Indonesia, Papua (province) | 6.0 | 30.0 | VI | Aftershock. | | |
| 10 | Indonesia, Papua (province) | 6.2 | 30.0 | VI | Aftershock. | | |
| 10 | Indonesia, Papua (province) | 6.0 | 30.0 | VI | Aftershock. | | |
| 25 | Australia, D'Entrecasteaux Islands, Papua and New Guinea | 6.2 | 20.0 | VI | | | |
| 25 | United States, Andreanof Islands, Alaska | 6.4 | 35.0 | IV | | | |
| 29 | Soviet Union, Sea of Okhotsk, Russia | 6.9 | 535.6 | | | | |

### February

| Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | Casualties |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Dead | Injured |
| 4 | Indonesia, off the west coast of Sumatra | 7.0 | 30.0 | VII | Some damage was caused. | | |
| 6 | Italy, Lazio | 4.6 | 33.0 | VIII | Despite being a moderate magnitude, the 1971 Tuscania earthquake caused major destruction. 24 people were killed and 150 were injured. 40 homes were destroyed and 1,678 were damaged. Costs were $41 million (1971 rate). | 24 | 150 |
| 7 | United States, Andreanof Islands, Alaska | 7.0 | 28.9 | VI | | | |
| 8 | United Kingdom, South Shetland Islands | 7.0 | 12.5 | | | | |
| 9 | United States, San Fernando Valley, California | 6.6 | 9.0 | XI | One of the most destructive events to affect southern California. 65 people were killed and over 2,000 were injured in the 1971 San Fernando earthquake. Extensive property damage was reported with costs $505 million (1971 rate). | 65 | 2,000 |
| 14 | Iran, Semnan Province | 5.8 | 18.5 | VII | 1 person died and some damage was caused. | 1 | |
| 15 | Fiji, south of | 6.5 | 587.2 | | | | |
| 21 | Argentina, Jujuy Province | 6.9 | 183.7 | V | | | |
| 26 | United Kingdom, Solomon Islands | 6.0 | 98.4 | IV | | | |

### March

| Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | Casualties |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Dead | Injured |
| 13 | Australia, Madang Province, Papua and New Guinea | 6.6 | 111.0 | VI | | | |
| 16 | Philippines, off the east coast of Mindanao | 6.1 | 58.5 | | | | |
| 23 | Norway, east of Jan Mayen Island | 6.2 | 15.0 | | | | |
| 23 | China, western Xinjiang Province | 6.2 | 15.0 | VII | | | |
| 24 | China, southern Qinghai Province | 6.0 | 10.0 | VIII | | | |

### April

| Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | Casualties |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Dead | Injured |
| 4 | Japan, off the east coast of Honshu | 6.1 | 35.0 | IV | | | |
| 7 | Indonesia, northeast of Halmahera | 6.6 | 31.3 | V | | | |
| 8 | Indonesia, off the west coast of Sumatra | 7.0 | 75.0 | VII | | | |
| 12 | Iran, Hormozgan province | 6.1 | 15.0 | VII | 1 person was killed and major damage was reported. | 1 | |
| 28 | China, Yunnan Province | 6.4 | 10.0 | VII | | | |
| 29 | Philippines, Sibuyan Sea | 6.0 | 11.7 | VII | | | |

### May

| Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | Casualties |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Dead | Injured |
| 2 | United States, Andreanof Islands, Alaska | 7.0 | 24.2 | VII | | | |
| 3 | United Kingdom, Solomon Islands | 6.0 | 10.0 | IV | | | |
| 4 | Indonesia, Sunda Strait | 6.4 | 45.0 | VI | | | |
| 7 | Indonesia, South Sulawesi | 6.0 | 26.8 | VI | | | |
| 8 | Argentina, Chubut Province | 6.0 | 156.2 | | | | |
| 12 | Turkey, Burdur Province | 6.2 | 22.5 | VII | 100 people were killed and at least 101 were injured. Major damage was caused. | 100 | 101+ |
| 17 | Ecuador, Pastaza Province | 6.7 | 171.6 | V | | | |
| 18 | Argentina, La Rioja Province, Argentina | 6.0 | 85.0 | V | | | |
| 18 | Soviet Union, Magadan Oblast, Russia | 7.0 | 10.0 | VIII | | | |
| 22 | Turkey, Bingöl Province | 6.9 | 10.0 | VIII | Deadliest event of 1971. The 1971 Bingöl earthquake caused 1,000 deaths and at least 51 injuries. Property damage was caused with costs reaching $5 million (1971 rate). | 1,000 | 51+ |
| 25 | Japan, off the southeast coast of Kyushu | 6.1 | 30.0 | VI | Beginning of a series of events. | | |
| 26 | Japan, off the southeast coast of Kyushu | 6.2 | 51.1 | VI | | | |
| 29 | Japan, off the southeast coast of Kyushu | 6.0 | 35.0 | V | | | |
| 30 | Burma, Kachin State | 6.3 | 15.0 | VIII | | | |
| 31 | Burma, Kachin State | 6.1 | 20.0 | VIII | Aftershock. | | |

### June

| Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | Casualties |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Dead | Injured |
| 11 | Dominican Republic, off the south coast of | 6.5 | 35.0 | VII | At least 51 people were injured and some damage was caused. | | 51+ |
| 11 | United States, Rat Islands, Alaska | 6.8 | 25.0 | IV | | | |
| 14 | Soviet Union, Amur Oblast, Russia | 6.0 | 10.0 | | | | |
| 15 | China, western Xinjiang Province | 6.0 | 11.9 | VII | | | |
| 16 | Indonesia, Central Java | 5.2 | 35.0 | | 1 person was killed and another 6 were injured. 1,377 homes were damaged. | 1 | 6 |
| 17 | Chile, Antofagasta Region | 6.3 | 91.7 | VII | 1 person was killed and some damage was caused. | 1 | |

### July

| Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | Casualties |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Dead | Injured |
| 2 | Philippines, northeast of Masbate Island | 6.1 | 25.0 | VI | Foreshock to event on July 25. | | |
| 9 | Chile, Valparaíso Region | 7.8 | 60.3 | IX | 83 people were killed and 447 were injured in the 1971 Aconcagua earthquake. Major property damage was caused. Costs were $236 million (1971 rate). | 83 | 447 |
| 11 | Chile, off the coast of Valparaíso Region | 6.4 | 35.0 | VI | Aftershock. | | |
| 14 | Australia, southeast of New Ireland, Papua and New Guinea | 8.0 | 40.0 | IX | The 1971 Solomon Islands earthquakes was an example of a doublet earthquake. The second principle event struck on July 26. Many aftershocks followed. To minimise cluttering only aftershocks greater than magnitude 6.5 will be noted. In this event 3 people were killed in total including 1 in a tsunami that was triggered. 5 people were injured. Some damage was caused. | 3 | 5 |
| 14 | Australia, southeast of New Ireland, Papua and New Guinea | 6.5 | 40.0 | V | Aftershock. | | |
| 15 | Italy</ref>, Parma | 5.2 | 7.0 | | 2 people were killed and some damage was caused. | 2 | |
| 18 | Australia, southeast of New Ireland, Papua and New Guinea | 6.6 | 47.5 | VI | Aftershock of July 14 event. | | |
| 19 | Australia, southeast of New Ireland, Papua and New Guinea | 7.0 | 35.0 | VI | Aftershock of July 14 event. | | |
| 19 | Australia, West New Britain Province, Papua and New Guinea | 6.3 | 10.0 | VII | | | |
| 25 | Philippines, northeast of Masbate Island | 6.4 | 40.0 | VII | | | |
| 26 | Australia, southeast of New Ireland, Papua and New Guinea | 8.1 | 40.0 | VIII | Largest event of 1971. The 1971 Solomon Islands earthquakes was an example of a doublet earthquake. The first principle event struck on July 14. Many aftershocks followed. To minimise cluttering only aftershocks greater than magnitude 6.5 will be noted. A tsunami caused some damage in the area. | | |
| 26 | China, southern Xinjiang Province | 6.0 | 20.0 | VII | | | |
| 26 | Australia, off the east coast of New Britain, Papua and New Guinea | 6.6 | 40.0 | VI | Aftershock. | | |
| 26 | Australia, off the east coast of New Britain, Papua and New Guinea | 7.0 | 40.0 | VI | Aftershock. | | |
| 27 | Peru, Loreto Region | 7.4 | 120.0 | VII | 1 person was killed and at least 51 were injured. Some damage was caused. | 1 | 51+ |
| 27 | Australia, south of New Ireland, Papua and New Guinea | 6.6 | 40.0 | V | Aftershock of July 26 event. | | |
| 28 | Australia, south of New Ireland, Papua and New Guinea | 6.5 | 24.5 | VI | Aftershock of July 26 event. | | |

### August

| Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | Casualties |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Dead | Injured |
| 2 | Japan, off the south coast of Hokkaido | 7.1 | 54.8 | VI | Some damage was caused. | | |
| 9 | Iran, Mazandaran province | 5.6 | 20.0 | VI | 1 person was killed and some damage was caused. | 1 | |
| 9 | Australia, off the west coast of Bougainville Island, Papua and New Guinea | 6.5 | 64.5 | V | | | |
| 14 | Fiji | 6.6 | 25.0 | rowspan="2"| Doublet earthquake. Two events a minute apart. | | |
| 14 | Fiji | 6.5 | 25.0 | | | | |
| 16 | China, Sichuan Province | 5.7 | 20.0 | VII | At least 1 person died and a few homes were destroyed. | 1+ | |
| 19 | Taiwan, off the east coast of | 6.3 | 25.6 | V | | | |
| 23 | Australia, off the north coast of mainland Papua and New Guinea | 6.5 | 10.0 | V | | | |

### September

| Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | Casualties |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Dead | Injured |
| 5 | Soviet Union, southwest of Sakhalin Island, Russia | 7.3 | 18.1 | IX | Some damage was caused. | | |
| 6 | Soviet Union, southwest of Sakhalin Island, Russia | 6.1 | 19.2 | VI | Aftershock. | | |
| 8 | Soviet Union, southwest of Sakhalin Island, Russia | 6.8 | 17.5 | VI | Aftershock. | | |
| 8 | Soviet Union, southwest of Sakhalin Island, Russia | 6.5 | 20.0 | VI | Aftershock. | | |
| 10 | Tonga | 6.0 | 20.0 | | | | |
| 16 | Indonesia, Banda Sea | 7.0 | 131.0 | V | | | |
| 25 | Australia, Morobe Province, Papua and New Guinea | 6.8 | 110.8 | VII | Some damage was reported. | | |
| 27 | Soviet Union, southwest of Sakhalin Island, Russia | 6.6 | 18.4 | VI | Aftershock of September 5 event. | | |
| 30 | Mexico, Gulf of California | 6.5 | 15.0 | VI | | | |
| 30 | Soviet Union, Khabarovsk Krai, Russia | 6.0 | 15.0 | | | | |

### October

| Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | Casualties |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Dead | Injured |
| 1 | Australia, New Ireland, Papua and New Guinea | 6.0 | 20.0 | VI | | | |
| 3 | Australia, west of Bougainville Island, Papua and New Guinea | 6.0 | 55.0 | V | Foreshock to October 4 event. | | |
| 3 | New Hebrides, east of Vanuatu | 6.7 | 10.0 | | | | |
| 4 | Australia, west of Bougainville Island, Papua and New Guinea | 6.8 | 45.0 | VI | | | |
| 15 | Peru, Apurimac Region | 5.5 | 35.0 | IX | 5 people were killed and major damage was caused. | 5 | |
| 23 | United States, south of the Northern Mariana Islands | 6.6 | 21.6 | rowspan="2"| Doublet earthquake. | | |
| 24 | United States, south of the Northern Mariana Islands | 6.5 | 25.0 | | | | |
| 27 | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.8 | 45.0 | VII | 1 person was killed and at least 51 were injured. Major damage was caused. | 1 | 51+ |
| 28 | New Hebrides, Vanuatu | 6.7 | 35.0 | | Different area of the country than previous event. | | |
| 30 | Taiwan, off the east coast of | 6.2 | 35.0 | V | | | |

### November

| Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | Casualties |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Dead | Injured |
| 8 | Iran, Hormozgan province | 6.2 | 20.0 | VII | | | |
| 20 | Fiji, south of | 6.5 | 543.1 | | | | |
| 21 | United Kingdom, Santa Cruz Islands, Solomon Islands | 7.1 | 113.1 | VII | | | |
| 24 | Soviet Union, off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia | 7.3 | 125.0 | VII | | | |

### December

| Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Casualties | Casualties |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Date | Country and location | $M_w$ | Depth (km) | MMI | Notes | Dead | Injured |
| 2 | Soviet Union, east of the Kuril Islands, Russia | 6.6 | 20.0 | | | | |
| 4 | Australia, west of Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea | 6.3 | 82.9 | V | | | |
| 8 | Chile, offshore Antofagasta Region | 6.1 | 30.0 | VI | | | |
| 11 | Australia, west of Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea | 6.5 | 55.0 | V | | | |
| 15 | Soviet Union, off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia | 7.6 | 27.5 | X | | | |
| 30 | Australia, East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea | 6.0 | 111.3 | IV | | | |
