2010 recorded the most major earthquakes in USGS data

Main Points

• 2010 recorded the highest number of major earthquakes
• Japan’s 2011 earthquake was the strongest at magnitude 9.1
• About 16 major earthquakes occur worldwide each year

The year 2010 had more earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 or higher than any other year in recent USGS records, although the exact total depends on the catalogue version and counting method.

The infographic lists 24 magnitude 7-plus earthquakes in 2010. The current USGS historical list contains 24 entries for that year, but a separate USGS summary says 2010 had 23 major earthquakes. Because of that difference, 2010 is clearly the highest year, but the figure should be presented with a note that USGS sources differ by one event.

The strongest earthquake of 2010 was the magnitude 8.8 Maule earthquake in Chile on Feb. 27. USGS says the rupture stretched nearly 500 km along the Chilean coast.

The infographic places 2011, 1995 and 1968 next, each with 20 magnitude 7-plus earthquakes.

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The biggest event among the years shown occurred in Japan in 2011. The magnitude 9.1 Tohoku earthquake struck off the northeast coast of Honshu on March 11 and triggered a devastating tsunami.

USGS records at least 15,703 deaths, with thousands more people missing or injured following the earthquake and tsunami.

The graphic lists 2023, 2021, 2015 and 2013 with 19 magnitude 7-plus earthquakes each. It also shows 1957 with 19, while 2007, 1999 and 1990 each recorded 18.

These figures show that the number of major earthquakes can change considerably from year to year.

They do not mean earthquakes are becoming more common. USGS says temporary increases and decreases are normal. Long-term records indicate that the world typically experiences about 16 major earthquakes each year, including roughly 15 in the magnitude 7 range and one of magnitude 8 or greater.

Better monitoring has increased the number of smaller earthquakes detected worldwide, but USGS says this should not be mistaken for evidence that natural earthquake activity is increasing.