Earthquakes; March-April 1990; May-June 1990; July-August 1990; September-October 1990; November-December 1990

Abstract

March-April 1990 There were five major earthquakes (7.0-7.9) during this reporting period; in the Fiji Islands, the Vanuatu Islands, Costa Rica, the Mariana Islands, and the Minahassa Peninsula. Earthquake-related deaths were reported from Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, and China. There were no significant earthquakes in the United States during this period. May-June 1990 This reporting period was quite active, seismically speaking, and included the deadliest earthquake in the world since the 1976 Chinese earthquake; a magnitude 7.7 which hit Iran and killed over 40,000 people. There were also three other major earthquakes (7.0-7.9) during this period. Tow of these quakes occurred in Sudan, a magnitude 7.2 on May 20 and a magnitude 7.0 on May 24. The third, a magnitude 7.0, occurred in the Philippines on June 14. There were no earthquakes in the United States which caused damage or casualties during this period. July-August 1990 There was on major earthquake (7.0-7.9) during this reporting period, a magnitude 7.8 in the Philippine Islands on July 16. Earthquake-related deaths were reported from the Philippine Islands, the USSR, and Ecuador. In the United States, no casualties or damage was reported from earthquakes. September-October 1990 There were no major earthquakes (7.0-7.9) during this reporting period. Earthquake-related deaths were reported in South Africa, China, and Pakistan. November-December 1990 There were two major earthquakes (7.0-7.9) during the last 2 months of the year, one in the Komandorsky Islands region and one in the New Britain region. Earthquake-related deaths were reported from Iran, Italy, Taiwan, Greece, and Costa Rica. There were no earthquake-related deaths in the United States.