Annual review · USGS ComCat

Earthquakes in 2008

14,234 magnitude-4-and-above earthquakes were catalogued worldwide in 2008, including 179 significant M6+ events. The strongest reached M7.9.

Compiled by PlainQuake Editorial, Earthquake Data Editorial Team

14,234
M4+ events: 179
Significant M6+: M7.9
Strongest: 80 km
Avg depth

The year in one line

2008 logged 14,234 catalogued M4+ earthquakes worldwide, 179 of them major M6+ events, topping out at magnitude 7.9.

14,234
M4+ events worldwide: 179
major M6+ events: M7.9
strongest of the year: 80 km
average hypocentral depth

Major-event activity peaked in Apr with 21 M6+ events, aftershock sequences can drive month-to-month spikes for over a year after a megathrust.

M4.0–4.9

12,272
M5.0–5.9

1,783
M6.0–6.9

167
M7.0–7.9

12

What this shows As in every year, the catalog is dominated by moderate M4–5 events; the rare M6+ band - 179 events in 2008 - is where damaging shaking lives.

Major (M6+) events by month

Count of significant (M6+) earthquakes catalogued in each month of 2008.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Significant earthquakes in 2008 (179)

Every catalogued M6+ earthquake recorded during 2008, strongest impact first.

Mag	Location	Depth	Date
7.9	58 km W of Tianpeng, China	19.0 km	May 12, 2008
7.7	Sea of Okhotsk	632.8 km	Jul 5, 2008
7.4	135 km NW of Gorontalo, Indonesia	30.0 km	Nov 16, 2008
7.4	56 km NW of Sinabang, Indonesia	26.0 km	Feb 20, 2008
7.3	284 km WSW of Mil’kovo, Russia	492.3 km	Nov 24, 2008
7.3	71 km SW of Isangel, Vanuatu	33.0 km	Apr 9, 2008
7.2	226 km SE of Hotan, China	10.0 km	Mar 20, 2008
7.2	164 km WSW of Sungai Penuh, Indonesia	25.0 km	Feb 25, 2008
7.1	Macquarie Island region	16.0 km	Apr 12, 2008
7.0	107 km E of Namie, Japan	22.0 km	Jul 19, 2008
7.0	South Sandwich Islands region	8.0 km	Jun 30, 2008
7.0	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	36.0 km	Sep 29, 2008
6.9	24 km WSW of Mizusawa, Japan	7.8 km	Jun 13, 2008
6.9	78 km NE of Hasaki, Japan	27.0 km	May 7, 2008
6.9	75 km WNW of Sola, Vanuatu	110.0 km	Sep 8, 2008
6.9	northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge	9.0 km	Feb 8, 2008
6.9	130 km ESE of ‘Ohonua, Tonga	29.0 km	Oct 19, 2008
6.9	Philippine Islands region	24.0 km	Mar 3, 2008
6.9	35 km S of Methóni, Greece	29.0 km	Feb 14, 2008
6.8	Kermadec Islands region	18.0 km	Dec 9, 2008
6.8	122 km SSE of Obihiro, Japan	25.0 km	Sep 11, 2008
6.8	29 km ENE of Morioka, Japan	108.0 km	Jul 23, 2008
6.8	181 km WSW of Merizo Village, Guam	76.0 km	May 9, 2008
6.8	South Sandwich Islands region	14.0 km	Feb 23, 2008
6.7	131 km SE of Nookat, Kyrgyzstan	27.4 km	Oct 5, 2008
6.7	19 km SW of Brisas Barra de Suchiate, Mexico	24.0 km	Oct 16, 2008
6.7	221 km NE of Jumla, Nepal	12.0 km	Aug 25, 2008
6.7	155 km SSW of Padang, Indonesia	25.0 km	Feb 25, 2008
6.6	73 km WNW of Tobelo, Indonesia	96.0 km	Sep 11, 2008
6.6	central Mid-Atlantic Ridge	9.0 km	Sep 10, 2008
6.6	146 km WSW of Lata, Solomon Islands	11.0 km	Jul 19, 2008
6.6	161 km SSW of Padang, Indonesia	25.0 km	Feb 25, 2008
6.6	South Sandwich Islands region	8.0 km	Feb 10, 2008
6.6	61 km W of Adak, Alaska	14.0 km	May 2, 2008
6.6	174 km W of Adak, Alaska	13.0 km	Apr 16, 2008
6.6	267 km WNW of Port McNeill, Canada	15.0 km	Jan 5, 2008
6.6	124 km SW of Bamboo Flat, India	17.0 km	Jun 27, 2008
6.5	west of Macquarie Island	10.0 km	Aug 9, 2008
6.5	west of Macquarie Island	10.0 km	Jun 1, 2008
6.5	166 km WSW of Sungai Penuh, Indonesia	22.0 km	Feb 24, 2008
6.5	50 km S of Koróni, Greece	28.0 km	Feb 14, 2008
6.5	central Mid-Atlantic Ridge	8.0 km	May 23, 2008
6.5	central Mid-Atlantic Ridge	10.0 km	Apr 24, 2008
6.5	9 km SSW of General Pascual Fentes, Mexico	83.0 km	Feb 12, 2008
6.5	Fiji region	597.6 km	Jan 15, 2008
6.5	Kuril Islands	10.0 km	Mar 3, 2008
6.4	105 km ENE of Port-Olry, Vanuatu	13.0 km	Nov 7, 2008
6.4	23 km NW of Alik Ghund, Pakistan	15.0 km	Oct 28, 2008
6.4	144 km NNW of Maubara, Timor Leste	398.0 km	Dec 6, 2008
6.4	southeast of the Loyalty Islands	57.3 km	Nov 22, 2008
6.4	Fiji region	391.0 km	Jul 19, 2008
6.4	70 km NNE of Lae, Papua New Guinea	75.0 km	Aug 30, 2008
6.4	15 km ESE of Várda, Greece	16.0 km	Jun 8, 2008
6.4	196 km SSW of Barra de Navidad, Mexico	12.0 km	Sep 24, 2008
6.4	western Xizang	10.0 km	Jan 9, 2008
6.4	251 km WNW of Port McNeill, Canada	10.0 km	Jan 5, 2008
6.4	82 km SSW of Isangel, Vanuatu	16.0 km	Apr 9, 2008
6.4	78 km ESE of Contamana, Peru	154.0 km	Aug 26, 2008
6.4	52 km S of Lakatoro, Vanuatu	13.0 km	Mar 12, 2008
6.4	Mid-Indian Ridge	9.0 km	May 31, 2008
6.4	56 km SW of Isangel, Vanuatu	32.0 km	Apr 28, 2008
6.4	187 km W of Adak, Alaska	11.0 km	Apr 15, 2008
6.4	146 km W of Neiafu, Tonga	233.4 km	Oct 22, 2008
6.4	13 km NNW of Alik Ghund, Pakistan	14.0 km	Oct 29, 2008
6.4	35 km SSW of Lárdos, Greece	52.0 km	Jul 15, 2008
6.3	10 km N of Baykal’sk, Russia	16.0 km	Aug 27, 2008
6.3	39 km WSW of Dêqên, China	12.0 km	Oct 6, 2008
6.3	north of Ascension Island	12.0 km	Aug 28, 2008
6.3	southeast Indian Ridge	11.0 km	Dec 8, 2008
6.3	127 km WSW of Bengkulu, Indonesia	24.0 km	Nov 22, 2008
6.3	200 km WSW of Lorengau, Papua New Guinea	10.0 km	Oct 23, 2008
6.3	west of Macquarie Island	10.0 km	Aug 9, 2008
6.3	66 km SW of Isangel, Vanuatu	35.0 km	Apr 9, 2008
6.3	8 km N of Selfoss, Iceland	9.0 km	May 29, 2008
6.3	81 km SSW of Isangel, Vanuatu	35.0 km	Apr 9, 2008
6.3	north of Ascension Island	10.0 km	Nov 22, 2008
6.3	northern Qinghai, China	19.0 km	Nov 10, 2008
6.3	68 km NNE of Port-Vila, Vanuatu	205.7 km	Nov 4, 2008
6.3	12 km ENE of Iquique, Chile	35.0 km	Feb 4, 2008
6.3	193 km ENE of Levuka, Fiji	553.8 km	Apr 18, 2008
6.3	49 km SSW of Lakatoro, Vanuatu	10.0 km	Mar 12, 2008
6.3	242 km WNW of Bandon, Oregon	13.0 km	Jan 10, 2008
6.3	eastern New Guinea region, Papua New Guinea	34.0 km	Jan 1, 2008
6.3	95 km SSW of Isangel, Vanuatu	14.0 km	Apr 19, 2008
6.3	181 km W of Neiafu, Tonga	10.0 km	Apr 16, 2008
6.3	127 km WNW of Sinabang, Indonesia	20.0 km	Mar 29, 2008
6.3	Rat Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska	27.0 km	May 20, 2008
6.3	32 km N of El Hoyo, Argentina	569.6 km	Sep 3, 2008
6.3	285 km W of Tual, Indonesia	173.9 km	Aug 4, 2008
6.3	74 km WSW of Basco, Philippines	31.0 km	Jun 1, 2008
6.3	148 km ESE of Iwaki, Japan	19.0 km	Dec 20, 2008
6.3	11 km SSE of Kiupo, Philippines	206.0 km	Dec 25, 2008
6.3	11 km W of Puerto Armuelles, Panama	32.0 km	Nov 19, 2008
6.2	Banda Sea	10.0 km	Nov 7, 2008
6.2	south of the Fiji Islands	581.2 km	Jul 3, 2008
6.2	149 km SE of Pangai, Tonga	38.0 km	Jun 26, 2008
6.2	62 km NNE of Camargo, Bolivia	352.7 km	Oct 12, 2008
6.2	50 km SSW of Isangel, Vanuatu	36.0 km	Sep 8, 2008
6.2	95 km SE of Ozernovskiy, Russia	27.0 km	Jul 24, 2008
6.2	28 km E of Lluta, Peru	123.0 km	Jul 8, 2008
6.2	134 km WSW of Lata, Solomon Islands	10.0 km	Jul 19, 2008
6.2	80 km NE of Hasaki, Japan	19.0 km	May 7, 2008
6.2	58 km SSW of Koróni, Greece	9.9 km	Feb 20, 2008
6.2	154 km NNE of Lospalos, Timor Leste	8.0 km	Jan 30, 2008
6.2	46 km W of La Ligua, Chile	18.0 km	Dec 18, 2008
6.2	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	25.0 km	Mar 18, 2008
6.2	Bonin Islands, Japan region	15.0 km	Feb 27, 2008
6.2	185 km ENE of Lospalos, Timor Leste	19.0 km	Feb 13, 2008
6.2	146 km SSW of Singkil, Indonesia	20.0 km	Jan 22, 2008
6.2	146 km WNW of Adak, Alaska	132.0 km	Mar 22, 2008
6.2	105 km NW of Basco, Philippines	14.0 km	Jul 13, 2008
6.2	148 km SSW of Padang, Indonesia	25.0 km	Mar 3, 2008
6.2	71 km W of Kirakira, Solomon Islands	84.0 km	Jun 3, 2008
6.2	121 km SW of Bamboo Flat, India	20.0 km	Aug 10, 2008
6.2	125 km E of Iquique, Chile	120.0 km	Mar 24, 2008
6.2	15 km WNW of Leonídio, Greece	75.0 km	Jan 6, 2008
6.1	83 km ENE of Lakatoro, Vanuatu	224.1 km	Dec 9, 2008
6.1	67 km WNW of Tulagi, Solomon Islands	118.0 km	Nov 21, 2008
6.1	central East Pacific Rise	10.0 km	Oct 30, 2008
6.1	49 km WSW of Qeshm, Iran	12.0 km	Sep 10, 2008
6.1	101 km NNE of Hihifo, Tonga	8.0 km	Aug 19, 2008
6.1	187 km SSE of Deputatsky, Russia	18.0 km	Jun 22, 2008
6.1	South Sandwich Islands region	35.0 km	Apr 28, 2008
6.1	90 km SSW of Isangel, Vanuatu	35.0 km	Apr 28, 2008
6.1	134 km NNE of Calama, Chile	130.1 km	Feb 16, 2008
6.1	201 km WNW of Hihifo, Tonga	10.0 km	Jan 22, 2008
6.1	Haida Gwaii Region, Canada	10.0 km	Jan 9, 2008
6.1	104 km SSW of Isangel, Vanuatu	11.0 km	Apr 11, 2008
6.1	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	10.0 km	Oct 5, 2008
6.1	79 km N of Metinaro, Timor Leste	13.0 km	Apr 19, 2008
6.1	42 km SSE of Iztapa, Guatemala	33.0 km	Apr 15, 2008
6.1	149 km WNW of Tobelo, Indonesia	35.0 km	Jan 20, 2008
6.1	Auckland Islands, New Zealand region	10.0 km	Apr 26, 2008
6.1	72 km S of Atka, Alaska	36.0 km	Nov 2, 2008
6.1	144 km SW of Bamboo Flat, India	15.0 km	Jun 28, 2008
6.1	95 km ENE of Hasaki, Japan	23.3 km	May 7, 2008
6.1	39 km NW of Tianpeng, China	10.0 km	May 12, 2008
6.1	145 km SSE of Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen	12.0 km	Feb 21, 2008
6.1	85 km ESE of Pondaguitan, Philippines	45.0 km	Mar 20, 2008
6.1	39 km WNW of Guangyuan, China	18.0 km	May 25, 2008
6.1	91 km N of Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands	23.0 km	Oct 11, 2008
6.0	35 km SSW of ?uk?mat? Azrah, Afghanistan	10.0 km	Oct 5, 2008
6.0	46 km NW of Guangyuan, China	6.0 km	Aug 5, 2008
6.0	89 km SSW of Sungai Penuh, Indonesia	35.0 km	Jan 4, 2008
6.0	73 km NNW of Valparaíso, Chile	25.0 km	Dec 18, 2008
6.0	93 km NNW of Hihifo, Tonga	121.0 km	Nov 8, 2008
6.0	191 km N of Madang, Papua New Guinea	18.3 km	Oct 28, 2008
6.0	98 km ESE of Namie, Japan	22.0 km	Jul 21, 2008
6.0	213 km NE of Jumla, Nepal	4.0 km	Sep 25, 2008
6.0	66 km E of Terney, Russia	326.0 km	Jun 29, 2008
6.0	57 km NE of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia	14.0 km	Jun 3, 2008
6.0	central Mid-Atlantic Ridge	13.0 km	Aug 11, 2008
6.0	249 km SE of Hihifo, Tonga	9.0 km	Dec 24, 2008
6.0	Sichuan-Yunnan border region, China	11.0 km	Aug 30, 2008
6.0	south of the Fiji Islands	171.1 km	Sep 1, 2008
6.0	31 km NNW of Padangsidempuan, Indonesia	10.0 km	May 19, 2008
6.0	149 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste	122.0 km	Jun 6, 2008
6.0	130 km E of Kirakira, Solomon Islands	10.0 km	Jul 28, 2008
6.0	South Sandwich Islands region	140.2 km	Apr 14, 2008
6.0	West Chile Rise	10.0 km	Jun 5, 2008
6.0	197 km SSE of Lata, Solomon Islands	51.0 km	Dec 10, 2008
6.0	121 km S of Hualien City, Taiwan	10.0 km	Apr 23, 2008
6.0	72 km N of Metinaro, Timor Leste	10.0 km	Apr 19, 2008
6.0	central East Pacific Rise	11.0 km	Sep 18, 2008
6.0	48 km SE of Myitkyina, Myanmar	10.0 km	Aug 21, 2008
6.0	19 km E of Barcelona, Philippines	10.0 km	Aug 15, 2008
6.0	southern East Pacific Rise	10.0 km	Jun 15, 2008
6.0	182 km WNW of Hihifo, Tonga	6.0 km	Jan 22, 2008
6.0	Fiji region	386.0 km	Nov 29, 2008
6.0	220 km SE of Lorengau, Papua New Guinea	10.0 km	Nov 1, 2008
6.0	Bonin Islands, Japan region	10.0 km	Mar 14, 2008
6.0	297 km NE of Port Mathurin, Mauritius	6.0 km	Aug 22, 2008
6.0	Prince Edward Islands region	10.0 km	Mar 13, 2008
6.0	199 km W of Sinabang, Indonesia	25.0 km	Mar 15, 2008
6.0	171 km S of Tondano, Indonesia	38.0 km	Feb 9, 2008
6.0	Fiji region	604.2 km	Feb 1, 2008
6.0	122 km SSE of Akhiok, Alaska	20.0 km	May 25, 2008
6.0	89 km SW of Basco, Philippines	10.0 km	Mar 3, 2008
6.0	107 km NNE of Nago, Japan	43.0 km	Jul 8, 2008

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 2008? ▼

In 2008, the USGS catalog recorded 14,234 earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 or greater worldwide. Of these, 179 reached M6.0 or above.

What was the strongest earthquake in 2008? ▼

The strongest catalogued earthquake in 2008 reached magnitude 7.9, near 58 km W of Tianpeng, China. There were 12 M7+ events during the year.

How does 2008 compare to other years? ▼

A typical year sees roughly 13,000–18,000 catalogued M4+ earthquakes worldwide. 2008 recorded 14,234, 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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