Modern seismic monitoring tools allow us to gather information about all instances of earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions around the world. Sensitive sensors installed on land, at sea, and on satellites provide accurate data and identify all types of seismic activity occurring within our planet. Thanks to the latest active monitoring technologies, we can learn about the most powerful earthquakes that occurred in 2024, as well as the most active zones on Earth susceptible to seismic risks.
Top 12 Strongest Earthquakes of 2024 According to statistics, the most seismically dangerous regions this year remain the subduction zones around the Pacific Ring of Fire, as well as the Mediterranean belt, where tectonic plate movement and volcanic activity are steadily increasing.
Northwest California On December 5, 2024, a powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck 87 km off Eureka, California, USA. The earthquake was very shallow β only 10 km deep β and was felt over a significant area. The shallow hypocenter made it more noticeable than a deeper earthquake of comparable magnitude. The event did not cause significant damage, despite the fact that the population did not receive a warning from regional earthquake alert centers.
Kokopo, Papua New Guinea A moderate 6.7 Mw earthquake occurred on November 15 in the South Pacific near the coast of Papua New Guinea. The earthquake’s focus was about 50 km deep, and the epicenter was located near the city of Kokopo, with a population of 26,300. Kokopo and Rabaul, located 110 km from the epicenter, suffered damage. No tsunami warning was issued.
Bartolome Maso, Cuba On November 10, the US Geological Survey recorded a sudden earthquake with an epicenter near Bartolome Maso, Granma, Cuba. Strong tremors with a magnitude of 6.8 were felt over a large area, as the fault was located only 12 km below the surface. The shallow hypocenter made it more perceptible than a deeper quake of comparable magnitude. A yellow warning was issued for the region, indicating moderate damage to buildings and possible casualties.
Eastern Turkey On October 16, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre recorded a 6.1 Mw earthquake in eastern Turkey (Malatya region). Officially, there were no casualties and only moderate damage reported in the affected area.
Kamchatka On October 1, a noticeable 6.3 magnitude earthquake occurred 108 km off the eastern coast of Kamchatka. Scientists believe it was an aftershock of the main 7.2 magnitude earthquake that occurred in the region in August and triggered the eruption of the Shiveluch volcano.
Kyushu, Japan On August 8, a very strong 7.1 magnitude earthquake occurred off the coast of Kyushu, Japan (near Tokyo) and triggered a small tsunami. Seismic activity in the Nankai Trough reoccurs approximately every 100 years. The last earthquake in the region occurred 80 years ago. Japanese scientists had predicted a high probability of a powerful earthquake, and the population received timely warnings.
Northeast Chile On July 18, the US Geological Survey recorded a 7.3 magnitude earthquake off the northern coast of Chile. The significant depth of the hypocenter (117.4 km) resulted in less noticeable surface shaking, and casualties were avoided. Tremors were felt in the southern Peruvian regions of Tacna and Arequipa, causing panic among the population who had experienced a 7.2 magnitude earthquake on June 28, 2024.
New York On April 6, 2024, two earthquakes with magnitudes of 5.0 and 4.8 occurred within 24 hours on the eastern coast of New Jersey. Residents of New York City, Philadelphia, and New Jersey observed buildings swaying during the tremors. The use of earthquake-resistant building technologies minimized damage, even though the earthquakes occurred suddenly, and the population was not alerted.
Taiwan Apr 3 (The text cuts off here, so this entry is incomplete) In 2024, the United States Geological Survey recorded the most powerful earthquake in 25 years, measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale, striking Taiwan and impacting the entire eastern coast of the island. The earthquake resulted in 9 fatalities, 260 injuries, and 62 people missing. Taiwanese officials reported significant damage. People were trapped in collapsed buildings in Hualien County, thousands of homes were left without power, and the main highway along the east coast was closed due to landslides and rockfalls.
China
In China’s Aksu prefecture, bordering Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, a powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck at midnight on January 23rd, causing panic among residents of high-rise buildings in all three countries. The earthquake had a very shallow depth of 13 km and was felt over a large area, prompting the highest danger level β red β to be issued. The main shock was followed by a series of powerful aftershocks, causing damage to buildings and power supplies over an area of more than 500 km2, and disrupting train services.
Philippines, Mindanao
A strong 7.1 magnitude earthquake occurred in the Philippine Sea, 71 km from Indonesia, on the morning of January 9th, 2024. The epicenter was located at a depth of approximately 63 kilometers off the second largest Philippine island, Mindanao. Seismologists were unable to issue a warning about the seismic activity but reported the likelihood of strong aftershocks.
Japan, Noto
On January 1st, powerful tremors measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale were registered in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. The intense shaking led to the collapse of buildings in the coastal zone, which was hit by a powerful tsunami just 10 minutes later. As a result, the Noto Peninsula, which suffered the most damage from the earthquake, faced complex damage β near the faults, the ground rose and fell, soil liquefaction occurred on the coastal plains, and landslides descended in the intermountain areas. In addition to building collapses, the disaster area suffered fires, landslides damaged power lines and water pipes, and infrastructure was destroyed, including hydraulic and port facilities, bridges, and roads. The structure of the fault that caused the tsunami from the Sea of Japan side resulted in each subsequent wave being stronger than the previous one. Tsunami attacks on the coast continued for 24 hours. The January 1st earthquake resulted in at least 126 deaths, with more than 200 people missing.
If you want to know more about earthquake forecasts around the world, use the GeoQuake app. By implementing innovative tools and technologies, we continue to develop new features for our users that will make your life in seismically active regions as safe as possible.