Most Devastating and Largest Earthquakes in 2023

Earth’s seismic activity, as reflected in the earthquake statistics of 2023, shows dynamic processes that occur in Earth’s crust daily worldwide. With nineteen earthquakes with a magnitude of at least 7.0, the year was marked by substantial geological movements, yet it also revealed a noteworthy trend—the absence, for the second consecutive year, of any earthquakes surpassing a magnitude of 8.0. In the span of 12 months in 2023, a staggering 15,600 earthquakes were detected. Among these, 19 seismic events reached a significant magnitude of 7.0 or higher, 128 were between magnitudes 6.0 and 6.9, and 1,637 registered magnitudes between 5.0 and 5.9. The table below shows the number of detected earthquakes worldwide from 2013 to 2023.

To better contextualize last year’s seismic activity, let's examine the evolving seismicity over the past decade. The table below by the USGS  shows the number of detected earthquakes worldwide from 2013 to 2023, serving as a visual timeline of Earth’s activity.

Largest Earthquakes in 2023 by Magnitude

Let's explore the seismic activity of 2023. In this blog section, we'll check out a table featuring the most significant earthquakes of the year, categorized by their magnitudes. The strongest earthquake was at the same time also the most devastating one of the year – a magnitude 7.8 earthquake on the Turkey-Syria border on February 2, 2023, reaching the maximum Mercalli intensity XII (Extreme). It is followed by the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that occurred in May 2019, in New Caledonia, Loyalty Islands. This tremor occurred offshore and did not cause any damage, injuries, or casualties. Furthermore, there were three earthquakes of magnitude 7.6, namely, the December 2023: Mindanao earthquake on December 2, 2023, and a maximum Mercalli intensity VII (Very strong), which caused three casualties, the 2023 Maluku earthquake on January 9, 2023, and a maximum Mercalli intensity VI (Strong), and Tonga, Niuatoputapu earthquake on May 10, 2023, with maximum Mercalli intensity VI (Strong). The last two mentioned earthquakes did not cause any damage, injuries, or fatalities.

Earthquakes Bringing Most Devastation in 2023

In 2023, a significant milestone was reached in earthquake-related fatalities, as more than 64,100 lives were lost—the highest death toll since 2010. The Turkey-Syria doublets in February, resulting in the loss of over 59,000 lives, captured international attention due to the widespread destruction, numerous injuries, and a significant number of casualties.

The initial mainshock, registering a magnitude of 7.8, stands out as the largest earthquake of the year. Morocco also experienced its most powerful earthquake in centuries in September 2023, resulting in nearly 3,000 casualties. In October, Afghanistan's Herat Province experienced four magnitude 6.3 earthquakes, resulting in the tragic loss of over 1,400 lives. Additionally, a moderate tremor in western Nepal claimed 153 lives in November. In December, another significant seismic event occurred in northern China's Gansu province, leading to 151 fatalities — the nation's deadliest earthquake incident since 2014. Additionally, deadly earthquakes struck Ecuador, Pakistan, and the Philippines.

The earthquakes that caused the highest death toll are listed in the table below.

Let’s dive deeper into the first five most devastating earthquakes by the death toll.

2023 Turkey-Syria Earthquakes (February 6, 2023)

On the early morning of February 6, 2023, at 04:17 local time, a seismic event of significant magnitude, measuring 7.8 on the Moment Magnitude Scale (Mw), rocked southern and central Turkey and northern and western Syria. The epicenter located 37 km (23 mi) west–northwest of Gaziantep, experienced the highest Mercalli intensity of XII (Extreme), extending its impact even to the city of Antakya, a municipality and district of Hatay Province with a population of 399,045 (2022). A subsequent quake, registering a magnitude of 7.5, occurred at 13:24 local time, with its epicenter situated 95 km (59 mi) north-northeast of the initial tremor.

This seismic occurrence stands as Turkey's most powerful earthquake since the 1939 Erzincan earthquake of equal magnitude. It ranks as the second largest in the country, surpassed only by higher estimates for the 1668 North Anatolia earthquake.

Over the following three months, the region experienced more than 30,000 aftershocks, all attributed to shallow strike-slip faulting along segments of the East Anatolian and Sürgü–Çardak faults. Earthquakes were also closely related to the increased shear stress along the East Anatolian Fault, whereas a very unstable critical region formed in the epicentral region of the Mw7.8 earthquake. Moreover, the shear traction field increased after February 3, 2023.

2023 Turkey-Syria Earthquakes (February 6, 2023): East Anatolian Fault.
Picture 1: Spatial distribution of the seismic events along the faults in Turkey and Syria.

The earthquake affected 11 provinces in Turkey, while in Syria, its impact reached five governorates, namely Idleb, Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, and Tartous. The toll was staggering, with reported fatalities exceeding 50,000, including 45,968 confirmed deaths in Turkey and over 5,900 in Syria. More than 3 million individuals were displaced, forcing them to abandon their homes.

The economic losses were substantial, with estimated damages reaching a staggering US$148.8 billion in Turkey, accounting for 9 % of the country's GDP, and an additional US$14.8 billion in Syria.

The aftermath was compounded by damaged roads, winter storms, and disrupted communications. Responding to Turkey's plea for international assistance, a commendable 141,000 individuals from 94 countries joined the massive rescue operation, including a 60,000-strong search-and-rescue force, 5,000 health workers, and 30,000 volunteers.

2023 Turkey-Syria earthquakes damage (February 6, 2023).
Picture 2: Damage caused by 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquakes (February 6, 2023). Credits: The Atlantic

2023 Marrakesh-Safi Earthquake (September 8, 2023)

On the night of September 8, 2023, at 23:11 local time, a seismic event of considerable magnitude occurred in the Marrakesh–Safi region of Morocco. The earthquake, registering a moment magnitude between 6.8 and 6.9, and reaching a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent), struck with its epicenter situated 73.4 km (45.6 mi) southwest of Marrakesh. This seismic event stands as the most powerful instrumentally recorded earthquake in Morocco's history and the deadliest since the 1960 Agadir earthquake.

The consequences were devastating, leading to widespread damage and the destruction of historical landmarks in Marrakesh. Tragically, the earthquake claimed the lives of at least 2,960 individuals, with the majority of fatalities occurring outside the city of Marrakesh. The impact of the earthquake extended beyond Morocco's borders, as tremors were felt in Spain, Portugal, and Algeria.

The following picture displays the model of the shear traction field in Morocco and the temporal development of the near - (red), intermediate - (green), and average (black) shear traction fields between August 4, and September 29, 2023. It is visible that the earthquake (black column on the graph) occurred a few days after the maximum in the shear traction field. This indicates that the area of this devastating seismic event and its surroundings were under the influence of the presence of strongly active tectonic waves. These strong tectonic waves also triggered several other strong events worldwide these days (e.g., the M6.8 event in the Kermadec region a day prior).

Black pixels denote the fault instabilities which signifies how unstable the regional fault system was at the time of the earthquake - sequence.

Local instability of M6.8 Morocco earthquake (September 8, 2023).
Picture 3: Local instability of M6.8 Morocco earthquake (September 8, 2023).

Access the full Quantectum’s report on the 2023 2023 Marrakesh-Safi earthquake here.

2023 Herat Earthquake (October 7, 2023)

In early October 2023, Herat Province in western Afghanistan experienced the impact of four substantial earthquakes, each measuring magnitude 6.3, along with subsequent aftershocks. The initial pair of earthquakes occurred on October 7, 2023, at 11:11 local time and 11:42 local time in proximity to the city of Herat, Afghanistan.

Subsequently, on October 11 and 15, two additional earthquakes of magnitude 6.3 each occurred in the same region, all attributed to thrust faulting. The consequences of these seismic events were substantial, with the World Health Organization estimating a toll of 1,482 fatalities, 2,100 injuries, and 43,400 people affected, prompting the need for humanitarian aid for 114,000 individuals. Further seismic activity on October 11, 15, and 28 resulted in a combined total of seven deaths and 344 injuries. The thrust faulting associated with these earthquakes contributed to the overall impact on the affected region.

Damage of 2023 Herat earthquake (October 7, 2023).
Picture 4: Damage of 2023 Herat earthquake (October 7, 2023).

The earthquakes, represented by the black columns on the chart below, sent various shockwaves through the region. It was not an isolated seismic event, as indicated by the numerous red columns, which represent the aftershocks that followed. These aftershocks, while of a lower magnitude than the mainshock, still carried considerable seismic energy and contributed to the region's overall instability. The increase in the shear traction field, as indicated by the rising red curve, played a critical role in triggering the initial magnitude 6.3 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks.

Shear traction field M6.3 Herat earthquake (October 7, 2023).
Picture 5: Increase in the shear traction field in the area of magnitude 6.3 Herat earthquake (October 7, 2023).

As a response to these earthquakes, at Quantectum we issued a report on the earthquake sequence in western Afghanistan in October 2023. They all occurred along the Herat fault and it continued toward the west. The Herat Fault is a major dextral strike-slip fault, oriented in a northwest-to-southeast direction. However, the October earthquakes indicate the reverse reactivation of the fault system. This is shown in the next figure, which demonstrates that these seismic events are related to a north-to-south-oriented compression (as shown by red arrows and beachballs on the map of the study area), coupling with an increasing tectonic traction field (shown in the graph on the left bottom with red, green and black curves).

Shear traction field M6.3 Herat earthquake (October 7, 2023).
Picture 6: Visual representation of fault system in the time of October 2023 earthquakes in western Afghanistan.

2023 Nepal Earthquake (November 3, 2023)

On November 3, 2023, an earthquake with a moment magnitude of 5.7 shook the Jajarkot District in Karnali Province, Nepal, occurring at 23:47 local time. The impact of the seismic activity extended beyond the immediate area, as it was widely felt in western Nepal and northern India. It stands as the deadliest to hit Nepal since the seismic events of 2015. The toll on human life and the significant number of injuries underscore the severity of the incident, marking it as a notable and tragic event in the region. Tragically, the earthquake claimed the lives of 153 individuals and left at least 375 others injured. Many houses and other infrastructure got damaged or destroyed.

Based on Quantectum’s report, many tectonic waves (mostly with long wavelengths) contributed to the increase in the shear traction field and earthquake triggering in the epicentral region. The map shows the tectonic waves’ setting on the day of the seismic event.

Tectonic waves triggering 2023 Nepal earthquake (November 3, 2023).
Picture 7: Tectonic waves that triggered the 2023 Nepal earthquake (November 3, 2023).

2023 Jishishan Earthquake (December 18, 2023)

At 23:59:30 local time on December 18, 2023, a seismic event of magnitude 5.9–6.2 unfolded in Jishishan County, situated in Gansu Province, China. The earthquake, characterized by shallow thrust faulting, impacted a densely populated region along the border of Gansu and Qinghai provinces.

The consequences were dire, resulting in the loss of 151 lives and causing injuries to 982 individuals. This unfortunate event marked China's deadliest earthquake since the 2014 Ludian earthquake, highlighting the gravity of the situation and its significant impact on the affected communities.

Apart from causing injuries and fatalities, earthquakes inflicted extensive damage on infrastructure such as roads, power lines, and water systems, along with disrupting agricultural production facilities. The Earth tremors also triggered dangerous land and mudslides, compounding the challenges faced by affected regions.

Within a radius of 50 km (31 mi) from the epicenter, impacting the Qinghai province, 22 towns and villages bore the brunt of the earthquake. Two villages, in particular, suffered severe damage. In Gansu province, the earthquake wreaked havoc on over 207,000 homes, resulting in nearly 15,000 houses collapsing and affecting more than 145,000 people.

Damage by 2023 Jishishan earthquake (December 18, 2023).
Picture 8: Devastating damage caused by the 2023 Jishishan earthquake (December 18, 2023). Credits: USA Today

Conclusion

In 2023, Earth's seismic activity triggered 15,600 detected earthquakes, including 19 of magnitude 7.0 or higher. On the other hand, for the second consecutive year, no earthquakes exceeded a magnitude of 8.0. Nevertheless, the year also witnessed a significant human toll, with over 64,100 lives lost - the highest death toll since 2010. The Turkey–Syria doublets, Morocco's historic earthquake, and seismic tragedies in Afghanistan, Nepal, China, Ecuador, Pakistan, and the Philippines underscored the widespread impact of seismic events. These narratives underscore the need for ongoing research, preparedness, and global cooperation to mitigate the impact of earthquakes and build a more resilient world.

Sources:

1) Relief Web. 2023. Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes – Türkiye and Syria. 2023. Accessed on 04-Jan-2024. Available at: https://reliefweb.int/report/turkiye/kahramanmaras-earthquakes-turkiye-and-syria-31-may-2023.
2) Jones, Rory. Cloud, David S. Kalin, Stephen. 2023. Turkey, Syria Mourn Losses as Earthquake Death Toll Climbs Above 24,000. Accessed on 04-Jan-2024. Available at: https://www.wsj.com/articles/turkey-syria-mourn-losses-as-earthquake-death-toll-climbs-above-21-000-af1b2c21?mod=Searchresults_pos8&page=3.
3) Aljazeera. 2023. Fears for Marrakesh’s ancient structures after Morocco’s earthquake. Accessed on 05-Jan-2024. Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/9/fragile-state-fears-for-marrakeshs-ancient-structures-after-earthquake.
4) WHO. 2023. Afghanistan Earthquakes in Herat Province, Health Situation Report No. 8, 15-16 October 2023. Accessed on 05-Jan-2023. Available at: https://www.reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/afghanistan-earthquakes-herat-province-health-situation-report-no-8-15-16-october-2023.
5) My Republica. 2023. Earthquake death toll revised to 153. Accessed on 05-Jan-2024. Available at: https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/earthquake-death-toll-revised-to-153/.
6) Quantectum. 2023. M5.9 Earthquake in Gansu Province – China’s 9th Devastating Earthquake. Accessed on 05-Jan-2024. Accessed on: https://quantectum.com/blog/m5.9-gansu-earthquake/.



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