Annual review · USGS ComCat

Earthquakes in 2010

12,504 magnitude-4-and-above earthquakes were catalogued worldwide in 2010, including 174 significant M6+ events. The strongest reached M8.8.

Compiled by PlainQuake Editorial, Earthquake Data Editorial Team

12,504
M4+ events: 174
Significant M6+: M8.8
Strongest: 54 km
Avg depth

The year in one line

2010 logged 12,504 catalogued M4+ earthquakes worldwide, 174 of them major M6+ events, topping out at magnitude 8.8.

12,504
M4+ events worldwide: 174
major M6+ events: M8.8
strongest of the year: 54 km
average hypocentral depth

Major-event activity peaked in Feb with 23 M6+ events, aftershock sequences can drive month-to-month spikes for over a year after a megathrust.

M4.0–4.9

10,109
M5.0–5.9

2,221
M6.0–6.9

150
M7.0–7.9

23
M8.0+

1

What this shows As in every year, the catalog is dominated by moderate M4–5 events; the rare M6+ band - 174 events in 2010 - is where damaging shaking lives.

Major (M6+) events by month

Count of significant (M6+) earthquakes catalogued in each month of 2010.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Significant earthquakes in 2010 (174)

Every catalogued M6+ earthquake recorded during 2010, strongest impact first.

Mag	Location	Depth	Date
8.8	2010 Maule, Chile Earthquake	22.9 km	Feb 27, 2010
7.8	75 km E of Sinabang, Indonesia	31.0 km	Apr 6, 2010
7.8	215 km SW of Sungai Penuh, Indonesia	20.1 km	Oct 25, 2010
7.6	61 km W of Bantogon, Philippines	578.0 km	Jul 23, 2010
7.5	72 km S of Panubigan, Philippines	640.6 km	Jul 23, 2010
7.5	Nicobar Islands, India region	35.0 km	Jun 12, 2010
7.4	Bonin Islands, Japan region	14.0 km	Dec 21, 2010
7.4	124 km W of Lebu, Chile	35.0 km	Feb 27, 2010
7.3	141 km W of Isangel, Vanuatu	16.0 km	Dec 25, 2010
7.3	New Britain region, Papua New Guinea	35.0 km	Jul 18, 2010
7.3	68 km W of Gadung, Philippines	607.1 km	Jul 23, 2010
7.3	33 km NW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu	25.0 km	Aug 10, 2010
7.2	100 km WNW of Sola, Vanuatu	31.0 km	May 27, 2010
7.2	45 km SSW of Meulaboh, Indonesia	38.0 km	May 9, 2010
7.2	The 2010 Sierra El Mayor, B.C., Mexico Earthquake	10.0 km	Apr 4, 2010
7.1	Ecuador	206.7 km	Aug 12, 2010
7.1	94 km SE of Gizo, Solomon Islands	10.0 km	Jan 3, 2010
7.0	52 km NW of Santa Cruz, Chile	18.0 km	Mar 11, 2010
7.0	70 km SE of Katsuren-haebaru, Japan	25.0 km	Feb 26, 2010
7.0	121 km SSE of Biak, Indonesia	18.0 km	Jun 16, 2010
7.0	10 km SE of Léogâne, Haiti	13.0 km	Jan 12, 2010
7.0	72 km ESE of Kimbe, Papua New Guinea	44.0 km	Aug 4, 2010
7.0	Near the south coast of Papua, Indonesia	26.0 km	Sep 29, 2010
7.0	19 km NE of Methven, New Zealand	12.0 km	Sep 3, 2010
6.9	56 km SE of Kimbe, Papua New Guinea	28.0 km	Jul 18, 2010
6.9	99 km WSW of Kirakira, Solomon Islands	21.0 km	Apr 11, 2010
6.9	15 km SSW of Kraskino, Russia	577.7 km	Feb 18, 2010
6.9	Mariana Islands region	16.0 km	Aug 13, 2010
6.9	233 km NNW of Qamdo, China	17.0 km	Apr 13, 2010
6.9	61 km NW of Santa Cruz, Chile	11.0 km	Mar 11, 2010
6.8	141 km W of Bengkulu, Indonesia	26.0 km	Mar 5, 2010
6.8	east of the South Sandwich Islands	13.0 km	Jan 5, 2010
6.8	127 km SE of Gizo, Solomon Islands	15.4 km	Jan 5, 2010
6.8	Bonin Islands, Japan region	470.0 km	Nov 30, 2010
6.7	111 km SE of Bam, Iran	12.0 km	Dec 20, 2010
6.7	66 km W of Nikolski, Alaska	14.0 km	Jul 18, 2010
6.7	55 km WSW of Kirakira, Solomon Islands	35.0 km	Jun 26, 2010
6.7	52 km NNW of Tomé, Chile	18.0 km	Mar 16, 2010
6.7	97 km SSW of El Huitusi, Mexico	13.0 km	Oct 21, 2010
6.6	52 km ENE of Kandrian, Papua New Guinea	33.0 km	Dec 2, 2010
6.6	294 km NNE of Fais, Micronesia	13.0 km	Aug 14, 2010
6.6	89 km W of Bantogon, Philippines	618.0 km	Jul 29, 2010
6.6	135 km SSE of Biak, Indonesia	10.5 km	Jun 16, 2010
6.6	New Ireland region, Papua New Guinea	414.6 km	Mar 20, 2010
6.6	63 km WSW of Sangay, Philippines	553.0 km	Jul 24, 2010
6.6	23 km WNW of Talcahuano, Chile	18.0 km	Mar 5, 2010
6.6	98 km SE of Gizo, Solomon Islands	10.0 km	Jan 3, 2010
6.6	217 km N of Bamboo Flat, India	34.0 km	Mar 30, 2010
6.6	30 km SSE of Cañete, Chile	22.0 km	Jul 14, 2010
6.5	southeast Indian Ridge	10.0 km	Nov 10, 2010
6.5	48 km NW of Sola, Vanuatu	176.0 km	Mar 4, 2010
6.5	59 km ENE of Namie, Japan	32.0 km	Mar 14, 2010
6.5	70 km SE of Adak, Alaska	23.5 km	Sep 3, 2010
6.5	Bering Sea	12.0 km	Apr 30, 2010
6.5	132 km WSW of Bengkulu, Indonesia	27.0 km	May 5, 2010
6.5	87 km W of Tarauacá, Brazil	581.2 km	May 24, 2010
6.5	118 km ESE of Madang, Papua New Guinea	220.0 km	Aug 4, 2010
6.5	245 km SSW of Ishigaki, Japan	22.0 km	Apr 26, 2010
6.5	216 km ESE of Katsuren-haebaru, Japan	10.0 km	May 26, 2010
6.5	98 km SE of Port Blair, India	112.0 km	May 31, 2010
6.5	The 2010 Eureka, California Earthquake	28.7 km	Jan 10, 2010
6.4	Bonin Islands, Japan region	18.0 km	Dec 22, 2010
6.4	south of the Fiji Islands	581.4 km	Jun 30, 2010
6.4	Pacific-Antarctic Ridge	10.0 km	Oct 30, 2010
6.4	120 km W of Isangel, Vanuatu	16.0 km	Dec 29, 2010
6.4	202 km NNW of Amahai, Indonesia	53.0 km	Mar 14, 2010
6.4	139 km WNW of Attu Station, Alaska	18.0 km	Dec 23, 2010
6.4	148 km WSW of Adak, Alaska	27.0 km	Aug 4, 2010
6.4	104 km ESE of Adak, Alaska	19.0 km	Oct 8, 2010
6.3	74 km ESE of Kimbe, Papua New Guinea	24.0 km	Jul 20, 2010
6.3	South Sandwich Islands region	29.4 km	Dec 8, 2010
6.3	150 km SW of Sungai Penuh, Indonesia	26.0 km	Oct 25, 2010
6.3	137 km SSE of Isangel, Vanuatu	10.0 km	Sep 8, 2010
6.3	Mauritius - Reunion region	9.8 km	Aug 16, 2010
6.3	293 km NNE of Fais, Micronesia	10.0 km	Aug 18, 2010
6.3	139 km WNW of Ternate, Indonesia	41.0 km	Aug 3, 2010
6.3	south of the Fiji Islands	551.0 km	Dec 28, 2010
6.3	110 km NNE of Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea	174.7 km	Aug 15, 2010
6.3	61 km SSW of Hirara, Japan	32.0 km	Oct 4, 2010
6.3	100 km SE of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia	23.0 km	Jul 30, 2010
6.3	northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge	10.0 km	May 25, 2010
6.3	118 km WNW of Sola, Vanuatu	29.0 km	Jul 2, 2010
6.3	69 km N of Vallenar, Chile	42.0 km	Mar 26, 2010
6.3	2 km ESE of San Agustín Chayuco, Mexico	20.0 km	Jun 30, 2010
6.3	272 km SSE of Inarajan Village, Guam	13.0 km	Jul 10, 2010
6.3	37 km E of Miyako, Japan	27.0 km	Jul 4, 2010
6.3	southern East Pacific Rise	18.0 km	Mar 7, 2010
6.3	5 km NE of Campo Quijano, Argentina	10.0 km	Feb 27, 2010
6.3	Bering Sea	14.9 km	Apr 30, 2010
6.3	Drake Passage	5.0 km	Jan 17, 2010
6.3	154 km ENE of Labasa, Fiji	9.0 km	Sep 7, 2010
6.3	109 km SSW of Ishigaki, Japan	21.0 km	Feb 7, 2010
6.3	80 km ENE of Calama, Chile	115.0 km	Jul 12, 2010
6.3	66 km ENE of Calama, Chile	114.0 km	Mar 4, 2010
6.3	1 km S of Nigüelas, Spain	609.8 km	Apr 11, 2010
6.3	47 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan	220.1 km	Sep 17, 2010
6.3	30 km S of Cañete, Chile	19.0 km	May 3, 2010
6.3	41 km SE of Yujing, Taiwan	21.0 km	Mar 4, 2010
6.2	132 km NE of Tual, Indonesia	10.0 km	Sep 29, 2010
6.2	226 km SW of La Cruz de Loreto, Mexico	10.0 km	Aug 24, 2010
6.2	23 km WNW of Lota, Chile	16.0 km	Sep 9, 2010
6.2	Mariana Islands region	10.0 km	Aug 14, 2010
6.2	107 km SE of Kuril’sk, Russia	28.0 km	Jun 18, 2010
6.2	147 km SSE of Biak, Indonesia	13.0 km	Jun 16, 2010
6.2	30 km SE of Panguna, Papua New Guinea	135.8 km	Dec 13, 2010
6.2	southeast Indian Ridge	1.0 km	Feb 5, 2010
6.2	115 km WNW of Panguna, Papua New Guinea	32.0 km	Feb 1, 2010
6.2	Fiji region	603.2 km	Aug 16, 2010
6.2	76 km NW of Quirihue, Chile	14.0 km	Mar 15, 2010
6.2	142 km SE of Gizo, Solomon Islands	12.0 km	Jan 9, 2010
6.2	27 km W of Rauco, Chile	46.0 km	Feb 28, 2010
6.2	25 km NW of Cartagena, Chile	31.1 km	Feb 27, 2010
6.2	238 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste	126.0 km	Feb 15, 2010
6.2	164 km S of Tondano, Indonesia	25.0 km	Apr 5, 2010
6.2	54 km NNW of Constitución, Chile	35.0 km	Feb 27, 2010
6.2	124 km N of Tobelo, Indonesia	120.0 km	Oct 8, 2010
6.2	33 km E of Lae, Papua New Guinea	53.0 km	Apr 17, 2010
6.2	21 km S of Las Yaras, Peru	37.0 km	May 6, 2010
6.1	115 km ENE of Luganville, Vanuatu	6.0 km	Jul 22, 2010
6.1	Maug Islands region, Northern Mariana Islands	427.0 km	Mar 8, 2010
6.1	25 km WNW of Talcahuano, Chile	20.0 km	Mar 3, 2010
6.1	64 km N of Constitución, Chile	35.0 km	Feb 27, 2010
6.1	65 km SSE of ‘Ohonua, Tonga	11.0 km	Feb 13, 2010
6.1	139 km WSW of Panguna, Papua New Guinea	19.0 km	Aug 20, 2010
6.1	146 km N of Tobelo, Indonesia	100.0 km	Jul 21, 2010
6.1	90 km WNW of Sola, Vanuatu	35.0 km	May 27, 2010
6.1	Izu Islands, Japan region	84.0 km	May 3, 2010
6.1	239 km NNW of Qamdo, China	7.6 km	Apr 14, 2010
6.1	14 km NW of Talcahuano, Chile	29.9 km	Mar 5, 2010
6.1	189 km ENE of Labasa, Fiji	15.2 km	Dec 1, 2010
6.1	69 km WNW of Kandrian, Papua New Guinea	68.0 km	Nov 23, 2010
6.1	72 km S of Pangai, Tonga	18.0 km	Nov 3, 2010
6.1	Mariana Islands region	8.0 km	Jan 2, 2010
6.1	113 km E of Kimbe, Papua New Guinea	40.0 km	Jun 24, 2010
6.1	36 km NW of Tomé, Chile	19.0 km	Feb 27, 2010
6.1	141 km N of Neiafu, Tonga	69.0 km	Sep 4, 2010
6.1	104 km NNE of Hihifo, Tonga	10.0 km	Feb 9, 2010
6.1	97 km NE of Hihifo, Tonga	35.0 km	Apr 21, 2010
6.1	4 km WNW of Sacsamarca, Peru	101.4 km	May 23, 2010
6.1	10 km SSW of Karakoçan, Turkey	12.0 km	Mar 8, 2010
6.0	11 km SW of Rimpeso, Philippines	20.0 km	May 31, 2010
6.0	82 km SSW of Aitape, Papua New Guinea	23.0 km	Apr 7, 2010
6.0	105 km W of Isangel, Vanuatu	13.0 km	Dec 26, 2010
6.0	Pacific-Antarctic Ridge	10.0 km	Nov 21, 2010
6.0	south of the Fiji Islands	19.0 km	Aug 4, 2010
6.0	east of the Kuril Islands	27.8 km	Aug 4, 2010
6.0	106 km NNE of Isangel, Vanuatu	12.0 km	Jun 9, 2010
6.0	12 km SSW of Quepos, Costa Rica	18.0 km	Jun 1, 2010
6.0	Pacific-Antarctic Ridge	10.0 km	May 19, 2010
6.0	Pacific-Antarctic Ridge	10.0 km	May 19, 2010
6.0	181 km NNW of Amahai, Indonesia	27.0 km	Apr 24, 2010
6.0	50 km WSW of Valparaíso, Chile	24.2 km	Mar 4, 2010
6.0	133 km ENE of Tual, Indonesia	30.0 km	Sep 26, 2010
6.0	277 km SSW of ‘Ohonua, Tonga	15.0 km	Feb 22, 2010
6.0	2 km SW of Tagbak, Philippines	16.0 km	Mar 25, 2010
6.0	155 km NW of Nuku‘alofa, Tonga	273.2 km	Apr 10, 2010
6.0	42 km W of Santa Cruz, Chile	35.0 km	Feb 27, 2010
6.0	40 km WSW of Villa Basilio Nievas, Argentina	39.8 km	Feb 27, 2010
6.0	241 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste	134.9 km	Dec 15, 2010
6.0	Kuril Islands	30.0 km	Feb 6, 2010
6.0	184 km NE of Tual, Indonesia	10.0 km	Nov 3, 2010
6.0	155 km SE of Gizo, Solomon Islands	35.0 km	Jan 5, 2010
6.0	south of the Kermadec Islands	170.4 km	Jun 17, 2010
6.0	83 km NNE of Yambrasbamba, Peru	132.0 km	May 19, 2010
6.0	40 km SW of Valparaíso, Chile	35.0 km	Feb 27, 2010
6.0	26 km W of Nacimiento, Chile	32.0 km	Apr 23, 2010
6.0	30 km W of Quirihue, Chile	24.0 km	Apr 2, 2010
6.0	44 km SW of San Antonio, Chile	35.0 km	Feb 27, 2010
6.0	27 km NNW of Yumbel, Chile	35.0 km	Feb 27, 2010
6.0	4 km SSW of Grangwav, Haiti	10.0 km	Jan 12, 2010
6.0	120 km ESE of Adak, Alaska	27.7 km	Oct 8, 2010
6.0	59 km WSW of Nikolski, Alaska	10.0 km	Jul 18, 2010
6.0	88 km W of Constitución, Chile	29.9 km	Mar 28, 2010
6.0	61 km WNW of Santa Cruz, Chile	31.5 km	Mar 11, 2010

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 2010? ▼

In 2010, the USGS catalog recorded 12,504 earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 or greater worldwide. Of these, 174 reached M6.0 or above.

What was the strongest earthquake in 2010? ▼

The strongest catalogued earthquake in 2010 reached magnitude 8.8, near 2010 Maule, Chile Earthquake. There were 23 M7+ events during the year.

How does 2010 compare to other years? ▼

A typical year sees roughly 13,000–18,000 catalogued M4+ earthquakes worldwide. 2010 recorded 12,504, with an average depth of 54 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.

Disclaimer: PlainQuake is an informational reference for informational purposes only, not an emergency or early-warning service, and not professional engineering or safety advice. For official alerts and guidance, consult the USGS and your local emergency authorities. See our full disclaimer.