Annual review · USGS ComCat

Earthquakes in 2012

12,631 magnitude-4-and-above earthquakes were catalogued worldwide in 2012, including 133 significant M6+ events. The strongest reached M8.6.

Compiled by PlainQuake Editorial, Earthquake Data Editorial Team

12,631
M4+ events: 133
Significant M6+: M8.6
Strongest: 58 km
Avg depth

The year in one line

2012 logged 12,631 catalogued M4+ earthquakes worldwide, 133 of them major M6+ events, topping out at magnitude 8.6.

12,631
M4+ events worldwide: 133
major M6+ events: M8.6
strongest of the year: 58 km
average hypocentral depth

Major-event activity peaked in Apr with 19 M6+ events, aftershock sequences can drive month-to-month spikes for over a year after a megathrust.

M4.0–4.9

10,935
M5.0–5.9

1,563
M6.0–6.9

117
M7.0–7.9

14
M8.0+

2

What this shows As in every year, the catalog is dominated by moderate M4–5 events; the rare M6+ band - 133 events in 2012 - is where damaging shaking lives.

Major (M6+) events by month

Count of significant (M6+) earthquakes catalogued in each month of 2012.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Significant earthquakes in 2012 (133)

Every catalogued M6+ earthquake recorded during 2012, strongest impact first.

Mag	Location	Depth	Date
8.6	2012 Wharton Basin Earthquake	20.0 km	Apr 11, 2012
8.2	2012 Wharton Basin Aftershock	25.1 km	Apr 11, 2012
7.8	206 km SW of Prince Rupert, Canada	14.0 km	Oct 28, 2012
7.7	156 km ENE of Poronaysk, Russia	583.2 km	Aug 14, 2012
7.6	11 km ENE of Hojancha, Costa Rica	35.0 km	Sep 5, 2012
7.6	89 km E of Sulangan, Philippines	28.0 km	Aug 31, 2012
7.4	6 km E of Santiago Llano Grande, Mexico	20.0 km	Mar 20, 2012
7.4	33 km S of Champerico, Guatemala	24.0 km	Nov 7, 2012
7.3	126 km S of Puerto El Triunfo, El Salvador	28.0 km	Aug 27, 2012
7.3	11 km WNW of San Agustín, Colombia	170.0 km	Sep 30, 2012
7.3	234 km SE of ?funato, Japan	31.0 km	Dec 7, 2012
7.2	off the west coast of northern Sumatra	19.0 km	Jan 10, 2012
7.1	125 km W of Port-Vila, Vanuatu	23.0 km	Feb 2, 2012
7.1	Banda Sea	155.0 km	Dec 10, 2012
7.1	23 km NE of Constitución, Chile	40.7 km	Mar 25, 2012
7.0	69 km ENE of San Luis, Mexico	13.0 km	Apr 12, 2012
6.9	236 km SSE of Kushiro, Japan	12.0 km	Mar 14, 2012
6.8	89 km NW of Olonkinbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen	14.0 km	Aug 30, 2012
6.8	140 km N of Lae, Papua New Guinea	198.0 km	Apr 17, 2012
6.8	51 km NNE of Shwebo, Myanmar	13.7 km	Nov 11, 2012
6.8	Izu Islands, Japan region	365.3 km	Jan 1, 2012
6.7	59 km SSW of Sola, Vanuatu	200.7 km	Dec 21, 2012
6.7	35 km ESE of Suncho Corral, Argentina	586.9 km	May 28, 2012
6.7	86 km SSE of Manokwari, Indonesia	16.0 km	Apr 21, 2012
6.7	2 km NNE of Jimalalud, Philippines	11.0 km	Feb 6, 2012
6.7	57 km NE of Isangel, Vanuatu	16.0 km	Mar 9, 2012
6.7	22 km NW of Hacienda La Calera, Chile	29.0 km	Apr 17, 2012
6.7	Mauritius - Reunion region	20.0 km	Jul 26, 2012
6.7	38 km NE of Saryg-Sep, Russia	12.0 km	Feb 26, 2012
6.6	west of Macquarie Island	10.0 km	Oct 9, 2012
6.6	163 km ENE of Tual, Indonesia	13.0 km	Oct 12, 2012
6.6	76 km W of Neiafu, Tonga	134.7 km	Apr 28, 2012
6.6	262 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia	14.0 km	Mar 3, 2012
6.6	South Shetland Islands	8.0 km	Jan 15, 2012
6.6	140 km WNW of Tobelo, Indonesia	91.1 km	Aug 26, 2012
6.6	11 km ENE of Kainantu, Papua New Guinea	118.0 km	Mar 21, 2012
6.5	163 km SSW of Severo-Kuril’sk, Russia	29.0 km	Nov 16, 2012
6.5	32 km SW of Champerico, Guatemala	20.0 km	Nov 11, 2012
6.5	105 km ESE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea	41.0 km	Jul 28, 2012
6.5	Costa Rica	17.0 km	Oct 24, 2012
6.5	41 km NW of El Habillal, Mexico	20.0 km	Apr 11, 2012
6.4	70 km W of Lata, Solomon Islands	28.0 km	Jan 9, 2012
6.4	89 km W of Kirakira, Solomon Islands	51.0 km	Feb 14, 2012
6.4	118 km WSW of Adak, Alaska	16.0 km	Sep 26, 2012
6.4	44 km NW of Sinabang, Indonesia	22.0 km	Jul 25, 2012
6.4	1 km E of Malango, Solomon Islands	20.0 km	Jul 25, 2012
6.4	6 km ESE of Pampa de Tate, Peru	43.0 km	Jan 30, 2012
6.4	26 km SW of Ahar, Iran	11.0 km	Aug 11, 2012
6.3	266 km SW of Yakutat, Alaska	9.0 km	Nov 12, 2012
6.3	59 km NNE of La Paz, Mexico	10.0 km	Sep 25, 2012
6.3	278 km SW of Arenas, Panama	7.0 km	Jun 4, 2012
6.3	105 km E of Miyako, Japan	11.0 km	May 20, 2012
6.3	south of the Fiji Islands	580.3 km	Jan 24, 2012
6.3	Off the coast of Aisen, Chile	10.0 km	May 18, 2012
6.3	51 km SSE of Palu, Indonesia	10.0 km	Aug 18, 2012
6.3	63 km S of Opunake, New Zealand	229.8 km	Jul 3, 2012
6.3	51 km NE of Port-Olry, Vanuatu	160.1 km	Jul 6, 2012
6.3	237 km SW of Prince Rupert, Canada	9.0 km	Oct 28, 2012
6.3	117 km E of Xinyuan, China	18.0 km	Jun 29, 2012
6.3	27 km SE of Tokoroa, New Zealand	163.0 km	Dec 7, 2012
6.3	19 km SSE of ?funato, Japan	36.0 km	Jun 17, 2012
6.3	279 km SSW of Avalon, California	13.0 km	Dec 14, 2012
6.3	south of Panama	7.0 km	Jun 4, 2012
6.2	241 km SSW of Prince Rupert, Canada	9.0 km	Oct 30, 2012
6.2	100 km E of Kimbe, Papua New Guinea	28.0 km	Mar 14, 2012
6.2	46 km SW of El Arenal, Mexico	45.0 km	Jan 21, 2012
6.2	east of the South Sandwich Islands	12.0 km	Apr 17, 2012
6.2	95 km SE of Angoram, Papua New Guinea	73.0 km	Aug 19, 2012
6.2	102 km ESE of Nikolski, Alaska	13.0 km	Aug 10, 2012
6.2	off the west coast of northern Sumatra	25.0 km	Apr 15, 2012
6.2	281 km SE of Hotan, China	13.0 km	Aug 12, 2012
6.2	220 km SE of ?funato, Japan	32.0 km	Dec 7, 2012
6.2	165 km SSW of Sungai Penuh, Indonesia	19.0 km	Sep 14, 2012
6.2	112 km WNW of Sola, Vanuatu	36.0 km	Oct 20, 2012
6.2	84 km NW of Isangel, Vanuatu	11.0 km	Apr 14, 2012
6.2	Drake Passage	15.0 km	Apr 14, 2012
6.2	30 km WSW of Ahar, Iran	12.0 km	Aug 11, 2012
6.2	40 km ENE of Palca, Peru	105.9 km	May 14, 2012
6.1	118 km ENE of Luwuk, Indonesia	44.2 km	Dec 17, 2012
6.1	Off the coast of Aisen, Chile	9.0 km	Nov 13, 2012
6.1	176 km WSW of Vernon, Canada	13.7 km	Nov 8, 2012
6.1	127 km S of Amahai, Indonesia	10.0 km	Oct 8, 2012
6.1	48 km WNW of Nabire, Indonesia	21.0 km	Sep 8, 2012
6.1	30 km E of San Fernando, Peru	144.6 km	Aug 2, 2012
6.1	88 km ESE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea	52.0 km	Dec 15, 2012
6.1	24 km NNW of Tomé, Chile	20.0 km	Jan 23, 2012
6.1	Norwegian Sea	10.0 km	May 24, 2012
6.1	116 km ESE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea	46.0 km	Aug 2, 2012
6.1	140 km SSW of Abepura, Indonesia	66.0 km	Mar 20, 2012
6.1	8 km N of San José Poliutla, Mexico	53.0 km	Nov 15, 2012
6.1	133 km E of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea	108.5 km	Apr 6, 2012
6.1	117 km WSW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu	8.0 km	Feb 5, 2012
6.1	75 km ESE of ?hara, Japan	15.0 km	Jun 5, 2012
6.1	81 km NNW of Isangel, Vanuatu	145.0 km	Feb 5, 2012
6.1	116 km WNW of Port-Vila, Vanuatu	8.0 km	Feb 3, 2012
6.1	100 km E of Miyako, Japan	15.0 km	Oct 1, 2012
6.1	245 km S of Kushiro, Japan	10.0 km	Mar 14, 2012
6.1	16 km S of Uñon, Peru	110.0 km	Jun 7, 2012
6.1	99 km SSE of Lakatoro, Vanuatu	32.0 km	Dec 2, 2012
6.1	2 km NW of Tigao, Philippines	37.0 km	Nov 2, 2012
6.1	37 km SSE of Suncho Corral, Argentina	553.9 km	Mar 5, 2012
6.1	251 km SSW of Jimbaran, Indonesia	14.0 km	Sep 3, 2012
6.1	24 km NNE of Miyako, Japan	15.0 km	Mar 27, 2012
6.1	73 km SW of Vallenar, Chile	63.0 km	Nov 14, 2012
6.1	66 km W of Kabanjahe, Indonesia	95.0 km	Jun 23, 2012
6.0	Molucca Sea	30.0 km	Dec 11, 2012
6.0	163 km E of Kimbe, Papua New Guinea	13.0 km	Nov 19, 2012
6.0	28 km SW of Ölüdeniz, Turkey	35.0 km	Jun 10, 2012
6.0	4 km NNE of Massa Finalese, Italy	6.3 km	May 20, 2012
6.0	83 km ENE of San Luis, Mexico	9.0 km	Apr 12, 2012
6.0	5 km SE of Asahi, Japan	10.0 km	Mar 14, 2012
6.0	South Shetland Islands	10.0 km	Jan 15, 2012
6.0	166 km SW of Sarangani, Philippines	326.0 km	Oct 17, 2012
6.0	Bonin Islands, Japan region	487.4 km	May 26, 2012
6.0	North Indian Ocean	10.0 km	Apr 11, 2012
6.0	Kermadec Islands region	114.0 km	Apr 23, 2012
6.0	south of the Fiji Islands	10.0 km	Feb 26, 2012
6.0	86 km S of Manokwari, Indonesia	17.4 km	Apr 21, 2012
6.0	0 km NW of Amdos, Philippines	9.0 km	Feb 6, 2012
6.0	191 km NW of Sola, Vanuatu	27.0 km	Sep 5, 2012
6.0	141 km S of Severo-Kuril’sk, Russia	19.0 km	Jul 20, 2012
6.0	268 km E of Kuril’sk, Russia	20.0 km	Jul 8, 2012
6.0	159 km NNE of Ust’-Kamchatsk Staryy, Russia	10.0 km	Jun 24, 2012
6.0	86 km ESE of Colbún, Chile	8.0 km	Jun 7, 2012
6.0	266 km W of Bandon, Oregon	8.0 km	Apr 11, 2012
6.0	northern East Pacific Rise	10.0 km	Mar 26, 2012
6.0	western Indian-Antarctic Ridge	10.0 km	May 23, 2012
6.0	South Sandwich Islands region	13.0 km	Jan 22, 2012
6.0	83 km SE of Attu Station, Alaska	26.0 km	Dec 15, 2012
6.0	119 km WNW of Attu Station, Alaska	14.0 km	Jun 19, 2012
6.0	63 km SW of Puerto Madero, Mexico	14.0 km	May 1, 2012
6.0	7 km SSW of Santa María Cortijo, Mexico	9.0 km	Apr 2, 2012
6.0	16 km ESE of San Alejandro, Peru	129.0 km	Nov 10, 2012

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 2012? ▼

In 2012, the USGS catalog recorded 12,631 earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 or greater worldwide. Of these, 133 reached M6.0 or above.

What was the strongest earthquake in 2012? ▼

The strongest catalogued earthquake in 2012 reached magnitude 8.6, near 2012 Wharton Basin Earthquake. There were 14 M7+ events during the year.

How does 2012 compare to other years? ▼

A typical year sees roughly 13,000–18,000 catalogued M4+ earthquakes worldwide. 2012 recorded 12,631, with an average depth of 58 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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