Annual review · USGS ComCat

Earthquakes in 2006

14,674 magnitude-4-and-above earthquakes were catalogued worldwide in 2006, including 153 significant M6+ events. The strongest reached M8.3.

Compiled by PlainQuake Editorial, Earthquake Data Editorial Team

14,674
M4+ events: 153
Significant M6+: M8.3
Strongest: 80 km
Avg depth

The year in one line

2006 logged 14,674 catalogued M4+ earthquakes worldwide, 153 of them major M6+ events, topping out at magnitude 8.3.

14,674
M4+ events worldwide: 153
major M6+ events: M8.3
strongest of the year: 80 km
average hypocentral depth

Major-event activity peaked in Nov with 20 M6+ events, aftershock sequences can drive month-to-month spikes for over a year after a megathrust.

M4.0–4.9

12,799
M5.0–5.9

1,722
M6.0–6.9

142
M7.0–7.9

9
M8.0+

2

What this shows As in every year, the catalog is dominated by moderate M4–5 events; the rare M6+ band - 153 events in 2006 - is where damaging shaking lives.

Major (M6+) events by month

Count of significant (M6+) earthquakes catalogued in each month of 2006.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Significant earthquakes in 2006 (153)

Every catalogued M6+ earthquake recorded during 2006, strongest impact first.

Mag	Location	Depth	Date
8.3	2006 Kuril Islands Earthquake	10.0 km	Nov 15, 2006
8.0	2006 Tonga Earthquake	55.0 km	May 3, 2006
7.7	226 km SSW of Singaparna, Indonesia	20.0 km	Jul 17, 2006
7.6	80 km NE of Tilichiki, Russia	22.0 km	Apr 20, 2006
7.6	196 km S of Ambon, Indonesia	397.0 km	Jan 27, 2006
7.4	east of the South Sandwich Islands	13.0 km	Jan 2, 2006
7.4	Kermadec Islands region	152.0 km	May 16, 2006
7.2	Fiji region	582.9 km	Jan 2, 2006
7.1	30 km SW of Hengchun, Taiwan	10.0 km	Dec 26, 2006
7.0	Scotia Sea	13.0 km	Aug 20, 2006
7.0	160 km SE of Chipinge, Zimbabwe	11.0 km	Feb 22, 2006
6.9	201 km ESE of Hihifo, Tonga	28.0 km	Sep 28, 2006
6.9	26 km W of Hengchun, Taiwan	10.0 km	Dec 26, 2006
6.8	51 km NE of Norsup, Vanuatu	150.0 km	Aug 7, 2006
6.8	49 km S of Panguna, Papua New Guinea	38.0 km	Sep 1, 2006
6.8	48 km S of Taco Pozo, Argentina	572.0 km	Nov 13, 2006
6.8	256 km SSW of Singkil, Indonesia	12.0 km	May 16, 2006
6.7	100 km ESE of Kimbe, Papua New Guinea	32.0 km	Oct 17, 2006
6.7	east of the Kuril Islands	10.0 km	Nov 15, 2006
6.7	52 km SW of San Vicente de Cañete, Peru	23.0 km	Oct 20, 2006
6.7	108 km W of Ambon, Indonesia	30.1 km	Mar 14, 2006
6.7	245 km E of Levuka, Fiji	597.5 km	Feb 2, 2006
6.7	78 km WNW of Copiapó, Chile	12.0 km	Apr 30, 2006
6.7	26 km NE of Kýthira, Greece	66.0 km	Jan 8, 2006
6.7	14 km SW of Puako, Hawaii	38.2 km	Oct 15, 2006
6.6	156 km NW of Kilmia, Yemen	15.0 km	Dec 30, 2006
6.6	74 km WSW of San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina	184.0 km	Aug 25, 2006
6.6	80 km E of Tilichiki, Russia	11.0 km	Apr 29, 2006
6.6	155 km SE of Kimbe, Papua New Guinea	11.0 km	Nov 7, 2006
6.6	Kuril Islands	11.0 km	Sep 30, 2006
6.6	42 km NNW of Tilichiki, Russia	19.0 km	May 22, 2006
6.6	75 km SSW of Bahía de Kino, Mexico	14.0 km	Jan 4, 2006
6.6	199 km WSW of Adak, Alaska	22.0 km	Jul 8, 2006
6.5	73 km WNW of Copiapó, Chile	12.0 km	Apr 30, 2006
6.5	81 km ESE of Ozernovskiy, Russia	43.0 km	Aug 24, 2006
6.5	Kuril Islands	19.0 km	Oct 1, 2006
6.5	130 km NNW of Lautoka, Fiji	14.0 km	Apr 7, 2006
6.5	Kermadec Islands region	13.0 km	Mar 31, 2006
6.5	111 km E of Kimbe, Papua New Guinea	34.0 km	May 28, 2006
6.5	292 km ESE of Attu Station, Alaska	14.0 km	Jun 14, 2006
6.4	east of the Kuril Islands	16.0 km	Dec 7, 2006
6.4	20 km E of Port-Olry, Vanuatu	115.0 km	Oct 18, 2006
6.4	45 km NNW of Illapel, Chile	31.0 km	Oct 12, 2006
6.4	54 km SSW of Nikolski, Alaska	18.0 km	May 10, 2006
6.4	east of the Kuril Islands	10.0 km	Nov 15, 2006
6.4	Izu Islands, Japan region	11.0 km	Oct 23, 2006
6.4	74 km WNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu	23.0 km	Jan 23, 2006
6.4	south of the Fiji Islands	535.2 km	Feb 26, 2006
6.4	61 km E of Kimbe, Papua New Guinea	28.2 km	Jul 19, 2006
6.3	76 km NE of Luwuk, Indonesia	26.0 km	Jun 24, 2006
6.3	northern Sumatra, Indonesia	204.0 km	Dec 1, 2006
6.3	83 km NNW of Isangel, Vanuatu	161.0 km	Oct 3, 2006
6.3	10 km E of Pundong, Indonesia	12.5 km	May 26, 2006
6.3	57 km ENE of Masohi, Indonesia	17.0 km	Sep 16, 2006
6.3	161 km S of Tondano, Indonesia	35.0 km	May 19, 2006
6.3	96 km SW of Singkil, Indonesia	20.0 km	Jul 27, 2006
6.3	287 km WNW of Sabang, Indonesia	28.8 km	Jun 27, 2006
6.3	Fiji region	569.9 km	Jun 27, 2006
6.3	Mariana Islands region	40.0 km	Feb 14, 2006
6.3	22 km N of Bima, Indonesia	19.0 km	Dec 1, 2006
6.3	87 km SE of Sinabang, Indonesia	21.0 km	Apr 25, 2006
6.3	15 km S of Tsukawaki, Japan	140.0 km	Jun 11, 2006
6.3	167 km SSW of Hengchun, Taiwan	14.0 km	Oct 9, 2006
6.3	143 km N of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia	572.0 km	Sep 9, 2006
6.3	203 km SSW of Sarangani, Philippines	213.5 km	Dec 12, 2006
6.2	Andaman Islands, India region	24.0 km	Dec 22, 2006
6.2	Ryukyu Islands, Japan	22.0 km	Nov 17, 2006
6.2	east of the Kuril Islands	10.0 km	Nov 15, 2006
6.2	125 km SE of Kimbe, Papua New Guinea	12.0 km	Nov 12, 2006
6.2	202 km SSE of Sarangani, Philippines	37.0 km	Mar 31, 2006
6.2	175 km W of Vallenar, Chile	10.0 km	Jul 16, 2006
6.2	Mid-Indian Ridge	10.0 km	Mar 6, 2006
6.2	92 km NNE of Tobelo, Indonesia	39.0 km	Nov 29, 2006
6.2	Bouvet Island region	10.0 km	Feb 23, 2006
6.2	48 km SSW of Mil’kovo, Russia	197.0 km	May 22, 2006
6.2	26 km S of Juradó, Colombia	14.0 km	Jan 23, 2006
6.2	9 km SSW of Sinabang, Indonesia	22.0 km	Aug 11, 2006
6.2	Pacific-Antarctic Ridge	10.0 km	Nov 30, 2006
6.2	151 km SE of Kimbe, Papua New Guinea	11.0 km	Nov 13, 2006
6.2	41 km NE of Port-Olry, Vanuatu	136.2 km	Mar 7, 2006
6.2	96 km SSW of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea	44.2 km	Feb 18, 2006
6.2	212 km ESE of Attu Station, Alaska	17.0 km	Jun 27, 2006
6.2	off the west coast of northern Sumatra	17.0 km	Apr 19, 2006
6.2	108 km E of Caucete, Argentina	137.0 km	Sep 17, 2006
6.1	88 km ESE of Yujing, Taiwan	9.0 km	Apr 1, 2006
6.1	central East Pacific Rise	10.0 km	Nov 19, 2006
6.1	western Indian-Antarctic Ridge	10.0 km	Nov 16, 2006
6.1	260 km NNE of Lospalos, Timor Leste	345.0 km	Nov 14, 2006
6.1	southeast Indian Ridge	10.0 km	Oct 22, 2006
6.1	189 km SW of Ambon, Indonesia	2.8 km	May 22, 2006
6.1	Mid-Indian Ridge	10.0 km	May 7, 2006
6.1	30 km NW of Petit Valley, Trinidad and Tobago	53.0 km	Sep 29, 2006
6.1	213 km ENE of Levuka, Fiji	564.4 km	Jun 9, 2006
6.1	191 km NW of Sola, Vanuatu	16.0 km	Apr 17, 2006
6.1	10 km NW of Zirándaro de los Chávez, Mexico	56.0 km	Aug 11, 2006
6.1	51 km WSW of Labuan, Indonesia	45.0 km	Jul 19, 2006
6.1	122 km NNW of Nuku‘alofa, Tonga	205.8 km	Mar 5, 2006
6.1	58 km SSW of Sarangani, Philippines	10.0 km	Oct 24, 2006
6.1	Vanuatu	127.7 km	Apr 30, 2006
6.1	130 km NE of Tilichiki, Russia	12.0 km	Apr 21, 2006
6.1	west of Macquarie Island	10.0 km	Apr 26, 2006
6.1	17 km NW of Tilichiki, Russia	9.0 km	Apr 21, 2006
6.1	163 km SW of Río Grande, Panama	7.4 km	Jan 6, 2006
6.1	107 km W of Haveluloto, Tonga	154.0 km	Aug 15, 2006
6.1	63 km WNW of Wewak, Papua New Guinea	12.0 km	Mar 24, 2006
6.1	41 km WNW of Bamboo Flat, India	19.0 km	Feb 3, 2006
6.1	116 km E of Levuka, Fiji	622.4 km	Feb 24, 2006
6.1	71 km NE of Tilichiki, Russia	10.0 km	Apr 20, 2006
6.1	Scotia Sea	10.0 km	Mar 10, 2006
6.1	18 km SW of Azn?, Iran	7.0 km	Mar 31, 2006
6.1	97 km NNE of Maumere, Indonesia	264.8 km	Jan 15, 2006
6.1	220 km SSW of Sidareja, Indonesia	21.0 km	Jul 17, 2006
6.0	278 km SSW of Severo-Kuril’sk, Russia	10.0 km	Dec 26, 2006
6.0	southern East Pacific Rise	10.0 km	Oct 10, 2006
6.0	28 km E of ‘Ohonua, Tonga	13.5 km	Nov 30, 2006
6.0	19 km NNE of El Hoyo, Argentina	598.3 km	Sep 22, 2006
6.0	Kuril Islands	10.0 km	Nov 15, 2006
6.0	Kuril Islands	10.0 km	Nov 15, 2006
6.0	19 km WSW of La Gomera, Guatemala	61.2 km	Dec 3, 2006
6.0	Nicobar Islands, India region	16.0 km	Jun 21, 2006
6.0	east of the Kuril Islands	10.0 km	Nov 15, 2006
6.0	off the coast of Ecuador	10.0 km	May 21, 2006
6.0	90 km SSE of Pangai, Tonga	11.0 km	May 4, 2006
6.0	150 km ESE of Namie, Japan	9.0 km	Oct 10, 2006
6.0	97 km SSE of Severo-Kuril’sk, Russia	26.0 km	Aug 20, 2006
6.0	67 km WNW of Coquimbo, Chile	19.8 km	Apr 15, 2006
6.0	70 km WSW of Vinchina, Argentina	114.0 km	Sep 12, 2006
6.0	Fiji region	10.0 km	Mar 24, 2006
6.0	194 km SSW of Kawalu, Indonesia	10.0 km	Jul 17, 2006
6.0	northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge	9.0 km	Jun 18, 2006
6.0	95 km E of Ust’-Kamchatsk Staryy, Russia	28.8 km	Apr 12, 2006
6.0	97 km ESE of Madang, Papua New Guinea	133.2 km	Nov 6, 2006
6.0	central Mid-Atlantic Ridge	10.0 km	Jun 5, 2006
6.0	Fiji region	591.6 km	Jun 2, 2006
6.0	Mid-Indian Ridge	10.0 km	May 6, 2006
6.0	99 km SSE of Pangai, Tonga	11.0 km	May 17, 2006
6.0	134 km WNW of Panguna, Papua New Guinea	355.0 km	Dec 27, 2006
6.0	central Mid-Atlantic Ridge	10.0 km	Mar 9, 2006
6.0	215 km SW of La Cruz de Loreto, Mexico	33.5 km	Apr 4, 2006
6.0	east of the Kuril Islands	9.0 km	Nov 16, 2006
6.0	87 km NE of Luwuk, Indonesia	28.0 km	Jul 23, 2006
6.0	221 km S of Mata-Utu, Wallis and Futuna	32.5 km	Feb 26, 2006
6.0	Kuril Islands	10.0 km	Sep 30, 2006
6.0	88 km ENE of Hihifo, Tonga	10.0 km	Apr 30, 2006
6.0	116 km E of Kuril’sk, Russia	95.0 km	Jun 22, 2006
6.0	southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge	10.0 km	Mar 3, 2006
6.0	111 km NNW of M?n?b, Iran	18.0 km	Feb 28, 2006
6.0	20 km SW of Hawi, Hawaii	16.2 km	Oct 15, 2006
6.0	286 km ESE of Attu Station, Alaska	29.1 km	Jun 14, 2006
6.0	81 km NNE of Hihifo, Tonga	35.0 km	Jul 7, 2006
6.0	26 km W of Chichas, Peru	107.0 km	Sep 30, 2006
6.0	121 km S of Pundong, Indonesia	25.0 km	Sep 21, 2006
6.0	41 km SW of San Vicente de Cañete, Peru	28.1 km	Oct 26, 2006

Understand the data

How earthquakes are measured

Magnitude scales, seismographs, and depth.

Reading earthquake data

Interpreting magnitude, depth and frequency.

All years

The full long-term seismic trend.

Frequently asked questions

How many earthquakes occurred in 2006? ▼

In 2006, the USGS catalog recorded 14,674 earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 or greater worldwide. Of these, 153 reached M6.0 or above.

What was the strongest earthquake in 2006? ▼

The strongest catalogued earthquake in 2006 reached magnitude 8.3, near 2006 Kuril Islands Earthquake. There were 9 M7+ events during the year.

How does 2006 compare to other years? ▼

A typical year sees roughly 13,000–18,000 catalogued M4+ earthquakes worldwide. 2006 recorded 14,674, with an average depth of 80 km. See the year index for the full long-term trend.

What magnitude scale is used? ▼

All magnitudes use the moment magnitude scale (Mw), the USGS standard. The scale is logarithmic, each whole step is roughly 32× more energy released.

About this data

Every figure on this page is computed directly from the USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat), the public-domain record maintained by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program. The worldwide catalog covers magnitude-4.0-and-above events from 2005 onward, the period over which the global seismograph network reliably detects and locates earthquakes everywhere. Magnitudes use the moment-magnitude scale (Mw), the modern standard that supersedes the older Richter scale; because the scale is logarithmic, each whole step up represents roughly thirty-two times more energy released. Depth is measured in kilometres from the surface, and shallow earthquakes generally produce stronger surface shaking than deep ones of the same magnitude. Annual counts reflect what instruments recorded, not every tremor that occurred; the current calendar year is always partial and will keep rising as the USGS adds and revises events, so it should never be compared directly against completed years.

Source: USGS ComCat, verify with USGS → · See our methodology for the full pipeline.

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