This is a list of earthquakes in 1944 . Only magnitude 6.0 or greater earthquakes appear on the list. Lower magnitude events are included if they have caused death, injury or damage. Events which occurred in remote areas will be excluded from the list as they wouldn't have generated significant media interest. All dates are listed according to UTC time. Activity was spread across the world during this year. The southwest Pacific Islands saw a good proportion of the earthquakes. Japan had the largest event of the year in December. Argentina and Turkey had the bulk of the deaths. The quake in Argentina in January was the worst in the country's history. New York State had its largest recorded earthquake in September causing some damage.
Overall By death toll Note : At least 10 casualtiesBy magnitude Rank Magnitude Death toll Location MMI Depth (km) Date 1 8.1 1,223 Empire of Japan , off the south coast of Honshu VIII (Severe ) 15.0 December 7 = 2 7.6 2,381 Turkey , Cankiri Province X (Extreme ) 30.0 February 1 = 2 7.6 0 Empire of Japan , West Papua (province) , Dutch East Indies VII (Very strong ) 15.0 April 27 3 7.5 0 Empire of Japan , Lembata , Dutch East Indies ( 156.6 March 22 4 7.3 0 Fiji ( 632.7 May 25 = 5 7.2 0 Soviet Union , eastern Kamchatka Krai , Russia VII (Very strong ) 35.0 September 23 = 5 7.2 0 New Hebrides , Vanuatu VI (Strong ) 165.0 November 24 = 6 7.1 0 Australia , East Sepik Province , New Guinea ( 114.4 January 7 = 6 7.1 0 Maldives ( 15.0 February 29 = 6 7.1 3 Republic of China (1912-1949) , northern Xinjiang Province VIII (Severe ) 10.0 March 9 = 6 7.1 0 Australia , north of New Ireland (island) , New Guinea VI (Strong ) 15.0 May 25 = 6 7.1 0 United States , Fox Islands , Alaska ( 70.0 July 27 = 6 7.1 0 Empire of Japan , Santa Cruz Islands , Solomon Islands VI (Strong ) 35.0 November 16 = 7 7.0 8,000 Argentina San Juan Province, Argentina VII (Very strong ) 15.0 January 15 = 7 7.0 0 Peru , Puno Region ( 183.1 February 29 = 7 7.0 0 Mexico , off the coast of Chiapas VI (Strong ) 25.0 June 28 = 7 7.0 0 Empire of Japan , Hokkaido ( 75.0 October 2 = 7 7.0 0 France , southeast of Loyalty Islands , New Caledonia ( 120.0 October 5 = 7 7.0 0 New Hebrides , Vanuatu ( 180.0 November 29
Note : At least 7.0 magnitudeNotable events January January Strongest magnitude 7.1 Mw Australia Deadliest 7.0 Mw Argentina Total fatalities 8,000 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 2 6.0–6.9 2
February February Strongest magnitude 7.6 Mw Turkey Deadliest 7.6 Mw Turkey Total fatalities 2,381 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 3 6.0–6.9 3
March
April April Strongest magnitude 7.6 Mw Empire of Japan Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 3
May May Strongest magnitude 7.3 Mw Fiji Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 2 6.0–6.9 2
June June Strongest magnitude 7.0 Mw Mexico Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 2
July July Strongest magnitude 7.1 Mw United States Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 3
August August Strongest magnitude 6.9 Mw Empire of Japan 2 events Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 0 6.0–6.9 5
September September Strongest magnitude 7.2 Mw Soviet Union Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 1 6.0–6.9 5 5.0–5.9 1
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties Dead Injured 5 [50] [51] [52] United States , northern New York State 5.5 12.0 VIII The 1944 Cornwall-Massena earthquake caused $2 million (1944 rate) in property damage. This was the largest event in state history. 6 [53] France , southeast of the Loyalty Islands , New Caledonia 6.5 120.0 6 [54] Ethiopian Empire , Oromia Region 6.0 35.0 11 [55] Empire of Japan , Molucca Sea , Dutch East Indies 6.6 15.0 14 [56] Empire of Japan , south of Java , Dutch East Indies 6.8 35.0 23 [57] [58] Soviet Union , eastern Kamchatka Krai , Russia 7.2 35.0 VII 27 [59] [60] [61] Republic of China (1912-1949) , western Xinjiang Province 6.8 20.0 VII Some homes were destroyed.
October October Strongest magnitude 7.0 Mw 2 events Deadliest 6.8 Mw Turkey Total fatalities 30 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 2 6.0–6.9 8
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties Dead Injured 2 [62] Guatemala , Jutiapa Department 6.5 160.0 2 [63] Empire of Japan , Hokkaido 7.0 75.0 5 [64] Australia , east of New Ireland (island) , New Guinea 6.9 75.0 5 [65] France , southeast of the Loyalty Islands , New Caledonia 7.0 120.0 6 [66] [67] [68] Turkey , off the west coast of Balikesir Province 6.8 15.0 IX AT least 30 people were killed and 5,500 homes were destroyed during the 1944 Gulf of Edremit–Ayvacik earthquake . 30 11 [69] Samoa 6.8 15.0 14 [70] [71] Empire of Japan , Halmahera , Dutch East Indies 6.6 15.0 VII 17 [72] [73] Republic of China (1912-1949) , western Xizang 6.8 20.0 VII 23 [74] [75] Ecuador , Esmeraldas Province 6.7 20.0 VII 29 [76] [77] Republic of China (1912-1949) , western Xizang 6.5 20.0 VII Aftershock of October 17 event.
November November Strongest magnitude 7.2 Mw New Hebrides Total fatalities 0 8.0–8.9 0 7.0–7.9 3 6.0–6.9 2
December
Date Country and location Mw Depth (km) MMI Notes Casualties Dead Injured 4 [86] Empire of Japan , Northern Mariana Islands 6.8 56.7 7 [87] [88] [89] [90] Empire of Japan , off the south coast of Honshu 8.1 15.0 VII Major destruction was caused by the 1944 Tōnankai earthquake . 1,223 deaths and 2,135 injuries were caused. 26,146 homes were destroyed. A tsunami contributed to the damage. 1,223 2,135 7 [91] Empire of Japan , off the south coast of Honshu 6.5 0.0 Aftershock. 10 [92] [93] New Hebrides , Vanuatu 6.6 15.0 VI 12 [94] United States , Andreanof Islands , Alaska 6.5 35.0 12 [95] Empire of Japan , off the south coast of Honshu 6.7 0.0 Aftershock. 19 [96] [97] Republic of China (1912-1949) , Liaoning Province 6.6 35.0 VII 21 [98] France , southeast of the Loyalty Islands , New Caledonia 6.5 100.0 22 [99] [100] Chile , Antofagasta Region 6.5 45.3 VI 27 [101] [102] Australia , south of New Britain , New Guinea 6.5 35.0 V 28 [103] Australia , West New Britain Province , New Guinea 6.8 95.0
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Empire of Japan, off the south coast of Honshu (Magnitude 8.1) December 7
Argentina, San Juan Province, Argentina (Magnitude 7.0) January 15 8,000 deaths
