Global catalog analysis
Earthquake statistics
Analysis of 228,419 recorded earthquakes from 1900 to 2026 (USGS global catalog + PHIVOLCS), from micro-tremors to the largest events ever instrumentally recorded.
Total events
0
M6.0+
0
M7.0+
0
M8.0+
0
Coverage
1900–2026
Shallow share
79%
<70 km
Magnitude–Frequency Distribution
The Gutenberg–Richter law: each step up in magnitude is roughly 10× rarer. Bar length is log-scaled so every band is visible.
Recorded M4.5+ Earthquakes by Decade
The rise over time mostly reflects the expansion of the global seismograph network and improved detection — not a real increase in large earthquakes.
Depth Distribution
M4.5+ events by hypocentre depth.
Most earthquakes are shallow; deep events occur in subducting slabs along trenches.
Largest Recorded Earthquakes
1960 Great Chilean Earthquake (Valdivia Earthquake)
1960
The 1964 Prince William Sound, Alaska Earthquake
1964
2011 Great Tohoku Earthquake, Japan
2011
2004 Sumatra - Andaman Islands Earthquake
2004
89 km ESE of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia
1952
2025 Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia Earthquake
2025
2010 Maule, Chile Earthquake
2010
1906 Ecuador-Colombia Earthquake
1906
1965 Western Aleutian Islands (Hawadax/Rat Islands) Earthquake
1965
2012 Wharton Basin Earthquake
2012
Source: USGS FDSN global catalog (M4.5+ since 1960, M6+ since 1900, recent M4.5+ densified) and PHIVOLCS. Counts reflect recorded/detected events and are subject to catalog completeness, which improves in recent decades.
FAQ
Earthquake statistics: frequently asked questions
What is the largest earthquake ever recorded?+
The largest earthquake in this catalog is the magnitude 9.5 1960 Great Chilean Earthquake (Valdivia Earthquake) of 1960. It is the most powerful earthquake ever instrumentally recorded.
How many major earthquakes happen each year?+
On average, roughly 13 magnitude-7-or-greater earthquakes are recorded worldwide each year. This catalog holds 1,610 major (M7+) events and 100 great (M8+) events since 1900.
Are earthquakes becoming more frequent?+
No. The apparent rise in recorded earthquakes over the decades reflects the expansion of the global seismograph network and better detection — not a real increase in large earthquakes. The rate of M7+ events has stayed broadly steady for over a century.
How deep do most earthquakes occur?+
Most are shallow: about 79% of catalogued M4.5+ earthquakes are shallower than 70 km. Intermediate (70–300 km) and deep (>300 km) events occur mainly within subducting slabs along ocean trenches.
How many earthquakes does this dataset cover?+
This dashboard analyses 228,419 recorded earthquakes from 1900 to 2026, combining the USGS global catalog with PHIVOLCS. Counts are subject to catalog completeness, which improves in recent decades.