List of earthquakes in 1980
# List of earthquakes in 1980

This is a list of earthquakes in 1980. Only earthquakes of magnitude 6 or above are included, unless they result in damage and/or casualties, or are notable for some other reason. Events in remote areas will not be listed but included in statistics and maps. Countries are entered on the lists in order of their status in this particular year. 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. Although activity was once again below average, 1980 had several deadly events which helped the overall number of deaths surpass 10,000. The largest of just 6 magnitude 7.0+ events measured 7.9 and struck the Solomon Islands in July. The last quarter of the year had the bulk of the deaths. Algeria had its largest earthquake in October. The magnitude 7.3 event caused 5,000 deaths. A fortnight later Mexico suffered 300 lost lives. At the end of November southern Italy was struck by a magnitude 6.9 earthquake which led to nearly 4,700 deaths. Other areas experiencing deaths were Portugal and Nepal.

## By death toll

| Rank | Death toll | Magnitude | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | 5,000 | 7.3 | Algeria, Chlef Province | X (Extreme) | 10.0 | October 10 |
| 2 | 4,689 | 6.9 | Italy, Campania | X (Extreme) | 10.0 | November 23 |
| 3 | 300 | 6.4 | Mexico, Puebla | IX (Violent) | 72.0 | October 24 |
| 4 | 200 | 6.5 | Nepal, Sudurpashchim Province | VIII (Severe) | 18.0 | July 29 |
| 5 | 69 | 6.7 | Portugal, Azores | VIII (Severe) | 10.0 | January 1 |
| 6 | 26 | 5.8 | Iran, Qom Province | VIII (Severe) | 33.0 | December 19 |
| 7 | 15 | 5.2 | India, Jammu and Kashmir (union territory) | V (Moderate) | 25.0 | August 23 |

Listed are earthquakes with at least 10 dead.

## By magnitude

| Rank | Magnitude | Death toll | Location | MMI | Depth (km) | Date |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | 7.9 | 0 | Solomon Islands, Santa Cruz Islands | VI (Strong) | 33.0 | July 17 |
| 2 | 7.5 | 0 | Solomon Islands, Santa Cruz Islands | VII (Very strong) | 33.0 | July 8 |
| 3 | 7.3 | 5,000 | Algeria, Chlef Province | X (Extreme) | 10.0 | October 10 |
| = 4 | 7.2 | 0 | France, southeast of Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia | ( ) | 33.0 | October 25 |
| = 4 | 7.2 | 0 | United States, off the coast of northern California | VIII (Severe) | 19.0 | November 8 |
| 5 | 7.0 | 0 | Soviet Union, Kuril Islands, Russia | VII (Very strong) | 44.0 | February 23 |

Listed are earthquakes with at least 7.0 magnitude.

## By month

### 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 | Portugal, Azores | 6.7 | 10.0 | VIII | The 1980 Azores Islands earthquake resulted in 69 deaths and 600 injuries. $5 million (1980 rate) in property damage was reported. | 69 | 600 |
| 2 | Philippines, off the south coast of Mindanao | 6.0 | 63.0 | VII | | | |
| 24 | United States, central California | 5.8 | 11.0 | VIII | The 1980 Livermore earthquake left 50 people injured and caused major damage. Damage reached $11.5 million (1980 rate). The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in particular was impacted by the shaking. | | 50 |

### 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 |
| 7 | Australia, north of Macquarie Island | 6.5 | 10.0 | VI | | | |
| 13 | China, Xinjiang Province | 6.1 | 63.0 | V | | | |
| 22 | China, Xizang Province | 6.2 | 33.0 | VIII | | | |
| 23 | Soviet Union, Kuril Islands, Russia | 7.0 | 44.0 | VII | | | |
| 27 | Papua New Guinea, West New Britain Province | 6.6 | 53.0 | VI | | | |
| 29 | Philippines, off the southeast coast of Mindanao | 6.1 | 104.0 | 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 |
| 8 | France, southeast of Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia | 6.7 | 38.0 | | | | |
| 24 | United States, Fox Islands (Alaska) | 6.9 | 33.0 | VI | | | |
| 31 | Philippines, Luzon | 6.3 | 43.0 | VI | | | |

### 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 |
| 13 | Fiji, south of | 6.7 | 79.0 | | | | |
| 16 | Indonesia, off the south coast of Java | 5.8 | 84.0 | V | Some damage was caused. | | |

### 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 |
| 4 | Iran, Gilan Province | 6.2 | 46.0 | VII | | | |
| 12 | New Hebrides | 6.1 | 20.0 | VII | | | |
| 14 | Italy, Basilicata | 4.5 | 24.0 | VIII | Some damage was reported. | | |
| 18 | Guatemala, Solola Department | 5.3 | 105.0 | IV | Some damage was reported. | | |
| 18 | United States, Mount St. Helens, Washington (state) | 5.7 | 1.5 | VI | This event served as the catalyst for the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. For weeks prior to this minor eruptions and earthquakes rattled the area. The catastrophic explosion which caused the destruction of the surrounding area occurred seconds after this earthquake. | | |
| 18 | Yugoslavia, Rasina District, Serbia | 5.8 | 9.0 | VIII | 30 people were injured and some damage was reported. Costs were $5 million (1980 rate). | | 30 |
| 25 | United States, Long Valley Caldera, California | 6.1 | 6.8 | VIII | First in a series of large events over the coming days to affect the area. 7 people were injured and some damage was reported. Costs reached $1.5 million (1980 rate). | | 7 |
| 25 | United States, Long Valley Caldera, California | 6.0 | 6.7 | VII | | | |
| 25 | United States, Long Valley Caldera, California | 6.1 | 11.9 | VII | | | |
| 26 | Chile, Tarapaca Region | 6.1 | 114.0 | V | | | |
| 27 | Tonga | 6.1 | 33.0 | | | | |
| 27 | United States, Long Valley Caldera, California | 6.2 | 13.8 | VII | | | |

### 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 |
| 9 | Mexico, Baja California | 6.3 | 6.0 | IX | 1 death was caused as well as 100 injuries. Some damage was reported. | 1 | 100 |
| 9 | Philippines, off the northeast coast of Mindanao | 6.0 | 19.0 | IV | Foreshock to June 18 event. | | |
| 18 | Papua New Guinea, off the southeast coast of New Britain | 6.0 | 61.0 | VII | Foreshock of June 25 event. | | |
| 18 | Tonga | 6.5 | 43.0 | | | | |
| 18 | Philippines, off the northeast coast of Mindanao | 6.8 | 54.0 | VI | | | |
| 25 | Papua New Guinea, East New Britain Province | 6.5 | 49.0 | VI | | | |
| 29 | Japan, off the south coast of Honshu | 6.2 | 15.0 | VIII | 7 people were hurt and some damage was caused. | | 7 |

### 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 |
| 8 | Solomon Islands, Santa Cruz Islands | 7.5 | 33.0 | VII | Foreshock to July 17 event. Some damage was caused. | | |
| 9 | Greece, Thessaly | 6.4 | 14.0 | rowspan="2"| Doublet earthquake. 1 person was killed and at least 101 were injured. $5 million (1980 rate) in damage was reported. | 1 | 101 |
| 9 | Greece, Thessaly | 6.3 | 20.0 | VI | | | |
| 9 | Solomon Islands, Santa Cruz Islands | 6.7 | 33.0 | | Aftershock. | | |
| 11 | Soviet Union, Sughd Region, Tajikistan | 5.2 | 33.0 | VI | Some damage was caused. | | |
| 12 | Greece, Thessaly | 4.0 | 10.0 | | Aftershock of July 9 events. 1 person was killed and 17 were injured. Damage costs were $5 million (1980 rate). | 1 | 17 |
| 14 | New Zealand, Kermadec Islands | 6.6 | 49.0 | | | | |
| 16 | Papua New Guinea, East Sepik Province | 6.5 | 84.0 | VIII | | | |
| 17 | Solomon Islands, Santa Cruz Islands | 7.9 | 33.0 | VI | Largest event in 1980. | | |
| 19 | Argentina, San Juan Province (Argentina) | 6.1 | 110.0 | IV | | | |
| 22 | Iran, Gilan Province | 5.4 | 62.0 | IV | 1 person died and major damage was reported. | 1 | |
| 27 | United States, Kentucky | 5.0 | 10.0 | VI | Largest event in Kentucky's history. 2 people were injured and some property damage was caused. Costs reached $1 million (1980 rate). | | 2 |
| 29 | Solomon Islands, Santa Cruz Islands | 6.7 | 48.0 | VI | Aftershock of July 17 event. | | |
| 29 | Nepal, Sudurpashchim Province | 6.5 | 18.0 | VIII | 200 people died and at least 101 were injured during the 1980 Nepal earthquake. Major property damage was caused with costs of $245 million (1980 rate). | 200 | 101 |

### 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 | Solomon Islands, Santa Cruz Islands | 6.3 | 33.0 | VI | Different location to previous events. | | |
| 9 | Guatemala, Izabal Department | 6.4 | 22.0 | VII | 2 deaths were caused by the 1980 Honduras earthquake. At least 101 injuries were caused. Some damage was caused. | 2 | 101 |
| 18 | Ecuador, Guayas Province | 5.6 | 55.0 | V | 8 people were killed and 100 were injured. $5 million (1980 rate) in damage was caused. | 8 | 100 |
| 23 | India, Jammu and Kashmir (union territory) | 5.2 | 25.0 | rowspan="2"| Doublet earthquake with both events 14 minutes apart. At least 16 people were killed in total. 40 people were injured. Many homes were destroyed. | 16 | 40 |
| 23 | India, Jammu and Kashmir (union territory) | 5.2 | 33.0 | IV | | | |

### 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 |
| 14 | Soviet Union, East Kazakhstan Region, Kazakhstan | 6.2 | 0.0 | | Nuclear test. | | |
| 24 | Japan, Chiba Prefecture, Honshu | 6.0 | 73.0 | VI | 2 people were killed and 73 were hurt. Costs of $1 million (1980 rate) in damage was reported. | 2 | 73 |
| 26 | Papua New Guinea, Sandaun Province | 6.5 | 33.0 | VI | | | |
| 28 | Papua New Guinea, off the west coast of Bougainville Island | 6.0 | 68.0 | V | | | |

### 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 |
| 5 | New Zealand, Hawke's Bay Region, North Island | 5.6 | 32.0 | VI | Some damage was reported. | | |
| 9 | Tonga | 6.0 | 33.0 | | | | |
| 10 | Algeria, Chlef Province | 7.3 | 10.0 | X | Deadliest event in 1980. The 1980 El Asnam earthquake was the largest event in Algerian history. 5,000 people died and over 9,000 were injured. Catastrophic property damage was caused. 25,000 homes were destroyed. Damage costs reached $5.2 billion (1980 rate). | 5,000 | 9,000 |
| 10 | Algeria, Chlef Province | 6.2 | 10.0 | VII | Aftershock. | | |
| 24 | France, southeast of Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia | 6.7 | 33.0 | | Foreshock of October 25 event. | | |
| 24 | Mexico, Puebla | 6.4 | 72.0 | IX | 300 people were killed in the 1980 Oaxaca earthquake. At least 101 people were injured. $5 million (1980 rate) in damage costs were reported. | 300 | 101 |
| 25 | France, southeast of Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia | 6.7 | 33.0 | | Foreshock of later event. | | |
| 25 | France, southeast of Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia | 7.2 | 33.0 | | | | |
| 25 | France, southeast of Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia | 6.5 | 33.0 | | Aftershock. | | |
| 26 | Philippines, off the east coast of Samar | 6.1 | 48.0 | 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 | United States, off the coast of northern California | 7.2 | 19.0 | VIII | The 1980 Eureka earthquake caused 6 injuries and $2 million (1980 rate) in property damage. | | 6 |
| 12 | Peru, Ayacucho Region | 4.9 | 71.0 | III | 7 deaths were caused as well as $1 million (1980 rate) in damage. | 7 | |
| 19 | India, Sikkim | 6.1 | 17.0 | VIII | | | |
| 23 | Italy, Campania | 6.9 | 10.0 | X | The 1980 Irpinia earthquake devastated southern Italy. 4,689 people were killed and 7,700 were injured. $20 billion (1980 rate) in property damage was caused. | 4,689 | 7,700 |
| 26 | Colombia, Norte de Santander Department | 5.0 | 40.0 | IV | 36 people were hurt. 30 homes were destroyed. | | 36 |

### 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 |
| 11 | Bolivia, Potosi Department | 6.1 | 80.0 | V | | | |
| 17 | Canada, off the west coast of Vancouver Island | 6.8 | 10.0 | | | | |
| 19 | Iran, Qom Province | 5.8 | 33.0 | VIII | 26 people were killed. Property damage was reported with costs reaching $5 million (1980 rate). | 26 | |
| 19 | Tonga | 6.1 | 33.0 | | | | |
| 22 | Iran, Qom Province | 5.5 | 41.0 | VII | Aftershock of December 19 event. 3 people died and 139 were injured. $1 million (1980 rate) in further property damage was caused. | 3 | 139 |
| 31 | Soviet Union, Kuril Islands, Russia | 6.5 | 33.0 | | | | |
