Annual review · USGS ComCat

Earthquakes in 2013

13,450 magnitude-4-and-above earthquakes were catalogued worldwide in 2013, including 142 significant M6+ events. The strongest reached M8.3.

Compiled by PlainQuake Editorial, Earthquake Data Editorial Team

13,450
M4+ events: 142
Significant M6+: M8.3
Strongest: 66 km
Avg depth

The year in one line

2013 logged 13,450 catalogued M4+ earthquakes worldwide, 142 of them major M6+ events, topping out at magnitude 8.3.

13,450
M4+ events worldwide: 142
major M6+ events: M8.3
strongest of the year: 66 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

11,847
M5.0–5.9

1,461
M6.0–6.9

123
M7.0–7.9

17
M8.0+

2

What this shows As in every year, the catalog is dominated by moderate M4–5 events; the rare M6+ band - 142 events in 2013 - is where damaging shaking lives.

Major (M6+) events by month

Count of significant (M6+) earthquakes catalogued in each month of 2013.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Significant earthquakes in 2013 (142)

Every catalogued M6+ earthquake recorded during 2013, strongest impact first.

Mag	Location	Depth	Date
8.3	2013 Sea of Okhotsk Earthquake	598.1 km	May 24, 2013
8.0	2013 Santa Cruz Islands Earthquake	24.0 km	Feb 6, 2013
7.7	Scotia Sea	10.0 km	Nov 17, 2013
7.7	113 km NW of Bela, Pakistan	15.0 km	Sep 24, 2013
7.7	79 km ESE of Kh?sh, Iran	80.0 km	Apr 16, 2013
7.5	110 km SW of Edna Bay, Alaska	8.7 km	Jan 5, 2013
7.4	292 km SW of Vaini, Tonga	173.7 km	May 23, 2013
7.3	South Sandwich Islands region	11.0 km	Jul 15, 2013
7.3	190 km ENE of Kokopo, Papua New Guinea	385.5 km	Jul 7, 2013
7.2	252 km ENE of Kuril’sk, Russia	110.0 km	Apr 19, 2013
7.1	off the east coast of Honshu, Japan	35.0 km	Oct 25, 2013
7.1	4 km SE of Sagbayan, Philippines	19.0 km	Oct 15, 2013
7.1	16 km WSW of Atiquipa, Peru	40.0 km	Sep 25, 2013
7.1	32 km SE of Lata, Solomon Islands	21.0 km	Feb 8, 2013
7.1	112 km WSW of Lata, Solomon Islands	10.0 km	Feb 6, 2013
7.0	Falkland Islands region	11.8 km	Nov 25, 2013
7.0	101 km SW of Atka, Alaska	29.0 km	Aug 30, 2013
7.0	260 km WSW of Abepura, Indonesia	66.0 km	Apr 6, 2013
7.0	33 km NW of Lata, Solomon Islands	8.8 km	Feb 6, 2013
6.9	Scotia Sea	10.0 km	Nov 16, 2013
6.9	81 km SE of Ozernovskiy, Russia	41.0 km	Feb 28, 2013
6.9	18 km SSW of Obihiro, Japan	107.0 km	Feb 2, 2013
6.9	2 km NNE of Yacuanquer, Colombia	145.0 km	Feb 9, 2013
6.8	62 km WSW of Panguna, Papua New Guinea	35.0 km	Oct 16, 2013
6.8	129 km WSW of Khuzdar, Pakistan	12.0 km	Sep 28, 2013
6.8	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	602.2 km	May 14, 2013
6.8	22 km ESE of Lata, Solomon Islands	12.0 km	Feb 8, 2013
6.8	54 km N of Vallenar, Chile	45.0 km	Jan 30, 2013
6.7	east of the South Sandwich Islands	22.9 km	Oct 24, 2013
6.7	Sea of Okhotsk	573.0 km	Oct 1, 2013
6.7	101 km WSW of Bahía Solano, Colombia	12.0 km	Aug 13, 2013
6.7	south of Java, Indonesia	9.0 km	Jun 13, 2013
6.7	Sea of Okhotsk	624.0 km	May 24, 2013
6.7	33 km SSW of Lata, Solomon Islands	11.0 km	Feb 7, 2013
6.6	41 km SSW of Coquimbo, Chile	27.0 km	Oct 31, 2013
6.6	98 km SW of Etchoropo, Mexico	9.4 km	Oct 19, 2013
6.6	36 km W of Kíssamos, Greece	40.0 km	Oct 12, 2013
6.6	26 km NE of Kandrian, Papua New Guinea	56.0 km	Jul 7, 2013
6.6	northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge	10.0 km	Jun 24, 2013
6.6	23 km ESE of Aitape, Papua New Guinea	13.0 km	Apr 16, 2013
6.6	56 km WSW of Linqiong, China	14.0 km	Apr 20, 2013
6.6	98 km W of Panguna, Papua New Guinea	31.0 km	Apr 14, 2013
6.6	183 km SW of Belaya Gora, Russia	11.0 km	Feb 14, 2013
6.6	30 km SSW of Lata, Solomon Islands	18.0 km	Feb 9, 2013
6.5	Fiji region	371.0 km	Nov 23, 2013
6.5	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	41.5 km	Sep 30, 2013
6.5	81 km SSW of Atka, Alaska	20.0 km	Sep 4, 2013
6.5	Izu Islands, Japan region	402.0 km	Sep 4, 2013
6.5	180 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste	112.0 km	Sep 1, 2013
6.5	29 km SE of Blenheim, New Zealand	8.2 km	Aug 16, 2013
6.5	38 km ESE of Blenheim, New Zealand	17.0 km	Jul 21, 2013
6.5	44 km W of Masachapa, Nicaragua	30.0 km	Jun 15, 2013
6.5	33 km N of Rabaul, Papua New Guinea	10.0 km	Apr 23, 2013
6.5	36 km E of Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea	28.0 km	Mar 10, 2013
6.5	87 km SE of Ozernovskiy, Russia	29.0 km	Mar 1, 2013
6.4	224 km NE of Lospalos, Timor Leste	9.9 km	Dec 1, 2013
6.4	172 km S of Ust’-Kamchatsk Staryy, Russia	43.0 km	Nov 12, 2013
6.4	Mid-Indian Ridge	12.7 km	Oct 4, 2013
6.4	7 km ESE of Ignacio López Rayón, Mexico	66.0 km	Sep 7, 2013
6.4	Off the coast of Aisen, Chile	10.0 km	May 20, 2013
6.4	140 km WNW of Neiafu, Tonga	212.9 km	May 11, 2013
6.4	95 km SE of Bushehr, Iran	12.0 km	Apr 9, 2013
6.4	94 km SE of Ozernovskiy, Russia	33.0 km	Mar 1, 2013
6.4	63 km SW of Lata, Solomon Islands	10.0 km	Feb 1, 2013
6.3	46 km SSW of Hualien City, Taiwan	10.0 km	Oct 31, 2013
6.3	South Sandwich Islands region	13.0 km	Jul 26, 2013
6.3	Prince Edward Islands region	10.0 km	Jul 22, 2013
6.3	85 km NW of Nuku‘alofa, Tonga	150.0 km	May 23, 2013
6.3	13 km NNW of Zarubino, Russia	563.3 km	Apr 5, 2013
6.3	49 km WSW of Lata, Solomon Islands	10.0 km	Feb 1, 2013
6.2	Mariana Islands region	9.0 km	Dec 17, 2013
6.2	152 km ESE of Neiafu, Tonga	10.1 km	Nov 2, 2013
6.2	89 km W of Constitución, Chile	41.5 km	Oct 30, 2013
6.2	Kermadec Islands, New Zealand	151.0 km	Oct 11, 2013
6.2	West Chile Rise	10.3 km	Oct 6, 2013
6.2	Kermadec Islands region	478.0 km	Aug 28, 2013
6.2	5 km ESE of Barrio Nuevo de los Muertos, Mexico	21.0 km	Aug 21, 2013
6.2	96 km WSW of Paita, Peru	10.0 km	Aug 12, 2013
6.2	68 km S of Pýrgos, Greece	10.0 km	Jun 15, 2013
6.2	26 km SE of Puli, Taiwan	17.0 km	Jun 2, 2013
6.2	3 km NW of Fraijanes, Guatemala	189.0 km	Mar 25, 2013
6.1	Pacific-Antarctic Ridge	10.0 km	Jan 15, 2013
6.1	Scotia Sea	11.1 km	Nov 13, 2013
6.1	southern East Pacific Rise	10.0 km	Sep 25, 2013
6.1	129 km N of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia	549.9 km	Sep 21, 2013
6.1	77 km SSW of Atka, Alaska	24.0 km	Sep 15, 2013
6.1	central East Pacific Rise	10.5 km	Sep 11, 2013
6.1	243 km WNW of Port McNeill, Canada	2.7 km	Sep 3, 2013
6.1	Southwest Indian Ridge	10.0 km	Aug 17, 2013
6.1	Kermadec Islands region	340.6 km	Aug 12, 2013
6.1	58 km ENE of Luganville, Vanuatu	124.0 km	Jul 26, 2013
6.1	83 km SSE of Panguna, Papua New Guinea	29.0 km	Jul 4, 2013
6.1	61 km S of Bireun, Indonesia	13.0 km	Jul 2, 2013
6.1	92 km SE of Lata, Solomon Islands	39.0 km	Jun 5, 2013
6.1	128 km SE of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia	30.0 km	May 21, 2013
6.1	123 km SE of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia	18.0 km	May 19, 2013
6.1	92 km SE of M?n?b, Iran	15.0 km	May 11, 2013
6.1	Kermadec Islands region	351.0 km	Apr 26, 2013
6.1	134 km SE of Severo-Kuril’sk, Russia	15.0 km	Apr 19, 2013
6.1	Izu Islands, Japan region	421.9 km	Apr 21, 2013
6.1	96 km SE of Severo-Kuril’sk, Russia	18.0 km	Apr 20, 2013
6.1	Vanuatu region	10.0 km	Mar 24, 2013
6.1	32 km E of Suncho Corral, Argentina	575.2 km	Feb 22, 2013
6.1	16 km SE of Caburan, Philippines	105.0 km	Feb 16, 2013
6.1	50 km S of Sigli, Indonesia	12.0 km	Jan 21, 2013
6.1	61 km SE of Kegen, Kazakhstan	15.0 km	Jan 28, 2013
6.1	63 km E of Lata, Solomon Islands	9.0 km	Jan 31, 2013
6.1	63 km E of Lata, Solomon Islands	10.0 km	Jan 30, 2013
6.1	136 km W of Lata, Solomon Islands	10.0 km	Feb 6, 2013
6.0	134 km SE of Kuril’sk, Russia	28.0 km	Dec 8, 2013
6.0	69 km SE of Sinabang, Indonesia	20.0 km	Dec 1, 2013
6.0	South Atlantic Ocean	14.8 km	Nov 25, 2013
6.0	247 km E of Kuril’sk, Russia	34.0 km	Nov 25, 2013
6.0	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	511.0 km	Nov 19, 2013
6.0	111 km NNE of Tobelo, Indonesia	38.0 km	Nov 19, 2013
6.0	Easter Island region	10.0 km	Nov 2, 2013
6.0	285 km SW of Vaini, Tonga	160.0 km	Oct 23, 2013
6.0	36 km N of Güiria, Venezuela	63.0 km	Oct 12, 2013
6.0	Mariana Islands region	104.0 km	Oct 6, 2013
6.0	northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge	10.0 km	Sep 5, 2013
6.0	82 km SSW of Atka, Alaska	17.0 km	Sep 4, 2013
6.0	230 km WNW of Port McNeill, Canada	9.9 km	Sep 4, 2013
6.0	118 km SSW of Atka, Alaska	18.0 km	Aug 31, 2013
6.0	Kepulauan Babar, Indonesia	95.0 km	Aug 12, 2013
6.0	84 km NNE of Hihifo, Tonga	31.6 km	Aug 1, 2013
6.0	3 km ESE of Maca, Peru	7.0 km	Jul 17, 2013
6.0	162 km SW of Sungai Penuh, Indonesia	21.0 km	Jul 6, 2013
6.0	73 km S of Pýrgos, Greece	19.0 km	Jun 16, 2013
6.0	south of the Kermadec Islands	195.0 km	Jun 15, 2013
6.0	129 km ESE of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia	30.0 km	May 21, 2013
6.0	50 km NE of Namie, Japan	39.0 km	May 18, 2013
6.0	south of the Fiji Islands	11.0 km	May 7, 2013
6.0	7 km NNE of Guacamayas, Mexico	30.0 km	Apr 22, 2013
6.0	51 km NNE of Isangel, Vanuatu	280.2 km	Apr 13, 2013
6.0	104 km E of Yamada, Japan	14.0 km	Apr 1, 2013
6.0	43 km WSW of Lata, Solomon Islands	11.0 km	Feb 10, 2013
6.0	58 km WSW of Lata, Solomon Islands	6.0 km	Feb 2, 2013
6.0	50 km SW of Lata, Solomon Islands	15.0 km	Feb 1, 2013
6.0	139 km SW of Lata, Solomon Islands	8.0 km	Feb 7, 2013
6.0	57 km S of Lata, Solomon Islands	14.0 km	Feb 6, 2013
6.0	113 km W of Lata, Solomon Islands	10.0 km	Feb 6, 2013
6.0	62 km WSW of Lata, Solomon Islands	11.0 km	Feb 6, 2013

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 2013? ▼

In 2013, the USGS catalog recorded 13,450 earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 or greater worldwide. Of these, 142 reached M6.0 or above.

What was the strongest earthquake in 2013? ▼

The strongest catalogued earthquake in 2013 reached magnitude 8.3, near 2013 Sea of Okhotsk Earthquake. There were 17 M7+ events during the year.

How does 2013 compare to other years? ▼

A typical year sees roughly 13,000–18,000 catalogued M4+ earthquakes worldwide. 2013 recorded 13,450, with an average depth of 66 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.