Historic Earthquakes
Links to photos and stories about the most significant earthquakes in history.
Where Were You During the Loma Prieta Quake
Share your story from the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake.
Share your story from the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake.
The Sumatra Earthquake of 26 December 2004
The greatest earthquake in 40 years killed 300,000 people.
The greatest earthquake in 40 years killed 300,000 people.
The Hector Mine Earthquake
The "perfect quake" was responsible for some striking pictures of seismic features.
The "perfect quake" was responsible for some striking pictures of seismic features.
Kobe (Hyogoken-Nanbu), Japan, 17 January 1995
A complete geotechnical report from Berkeley's Earthquake Engineering Research Center.
A complete geotechnical report from Berkeley's Earthquake Engineering Research Center.
Northridge, California, 17 January 1994
A thorough report on the Northridge quake from the U.S. Geological Survey.
A thorough report on the Northridge quake from the U.S. Geological Survey.
Landers/Big Bear, California, 28 June 1992
The National Geophysical Data Center has a summary of this scientifically important event. Images are broken, but Seismo-Watch has more.
The National Geophysical Data Center has a summary of this scientifically important event. Images are broken, but Seismo-Watch has more.
Loma Prieta, 17 October 1989
The World Series earthquake is covered in this virtual field trip from the University of California Santa Cruz.
The World Series earthquake is covered in this virtual field trip from the University of California Santa Cruz.
Loma Prieta Ten Years After
A reminiscence and report on how the "Pretty Big One" looked from 1999.
A reminiscence and report on how the "Pretty Big One" looked from 1999.
Borah Peak, Idaho, 28 October 1983
The most powerful quake recorded in Idaho (M7.3) is captured in detailed photos and published accounts by the University of Utah.
The most powerful quake recorded in Idaho (M7.3) is captured in detailed photos and published accounts by the University of Utah.
Alaska, 27 March 1964
A scientific summary from the US Geological Survey.
A scientific summary from the US Geological Survey.
Niigata, Japan, 16 June 1964
This page from the University of Washington mainly focuses on the effects of liquefaction, with the memorable tilted apartments well photographed.
This page from the University of Washington mainly focuses on the effects of liquefaction, with the memorable tilted apartments well photographed.
Hebgen Lake, Montana, 18 August 1959
This sensational earthquake (M7.5) and landslide near the Yellowstone country is documented in photos and stories by the University of Utah.
This sensational earthquake (M7.5) and landslide near the Yellowstone country is documented in photos and stories by the University of Utah.
Queen Charlotte Island, Canada, 22 August 1949
Canada's largest historic quake, described by the Geological Survey of Canada.
Canada's largest historic quake, described by the Geological Survey of Canada.
The San Francisco Earthquake of 1906
The Great San Francisco Earthquake was the stuff of legend, but it really happened. See lots more resources in the 1906 quake special category.
The Great San Francisco Earthquake was the stuff of legend, but it really happened. See lots more resources in the 1906 quake special category.
Giles County, Virginia, 31 May 1897
Virginia Tech Seismological Observatory presents old newspaper accounts of this rare strong event.
Virginia Tech Seismological Observatory presents old newspaper accounts of this rare strong event.
Charleston, South Carolina, 31 August 1886
The U.S. Geological Survey summarizes this traumatizing quake, which took the area totally by surprise and remains the largest in the eastern USA.
The U.S. Geological Survey summarizes this traumatizing quake, which took the area totally by surprise and remains the largest in the eastern USA.
Andalusia, 25 December 1884
Photos and maps of the great Christmas earthquake from the University of Granada, Spain (in Spanish).
Photos and maps of the great Christmas earthquake from the University of Granada, Spain (in Spanish).
Fort Tejon, California, 9 January 1857
The Southern California Earthquake Data Center talks about the biggest California quake of them all, so far.
The Southern California Earthquake Data Center talks about the biggest California quake of them all, so far.
New Madrid Region, U.S. Midwest, 1811–12
The best site about this, the biggest quake ever known in America, is at the Virtual Times.
The best site about this, the biggest quake ever known in America, is at the Virtual Times.
Boston, Massachusetts, 18 November 1755
A look at this significant quake, the largest in the northeastern USA in 250 years.
A look at this significant quake, the largest in the northeastern USA in 250 years.
Lisbon, Portugal, 1 November 1755
Pictures and a description of this calamity, which ruined one of Europe's greatest cities and affected the course of history.
Pictures and a description of this calamity, which ruined one of Europe's greatest cities and affected the course of history.
Cascadia, 26 January 1700
The Geological Survey of Canada has a page about this magnitude-9 monster, which was recorded across the Pacific in Japan.
The Geological Survey of Canada has a page about this magnitude-9 monster, which was recorded across the Pacific in Japan.
Greatest Earthquakes in the United States
A rogues gallery of Big Ones from the U.S. Geological Survey.
A rogues gallery of Big Ones from the U.S. Geological Survey.
Famous Writers' Earthquake Stories
Mark Twain, Jack London, Charles Darwin, and John Muir all lived through quakes and wrote about them. A lovely set of pages from UC Santa Barbara.
Mark Twain, Jack London, Charles Darwin, and John Muir all lived through quakes and wrote about them. A lovely set of pages from UC Santa Barbara.