On this day: 17 February

The deadliest recorded disaster on 17 February was the 1674 magnitude 6.8 earthquake near Ambon Island, Seram Island, which killed 2,330 people.

Historic disasters

Recorded deaths

3,242

Eruptions began

Major events since 1900

Disasters on 17 February in history

Damaging earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions from the NOAA Natural Hazards database, deadliest first.

M6.8 earthquake, Ambon Island, Seram Island
17 February 1674IndonesiaTriggered a tsunami2,330 killed41 injured
M8.3 earthquake, Sanriku,Rikuzen,Rikuchu
17 February 1793JapanTriggered a tsunami745 killed1,160 homes destroyed
M8.2 earthquake, New Guinea: Irian Jaya: Biak, Supiori
17 February 1996IndonesiaTriggered a tsunami164 killed423 injured5,043 homes destroyed$4m damage
M5.4 earthquake, Esfahan, Kohgiluyeh, Boyer-Ahmad
17 February 2021Iran2 killed63 injured$10m damage
M5.4 earthquake, Baghan
17 February 2002Iran1 killed30 injured
M3.1 earthquake, Paonia
17 February 2011USA
Tsunami, Svalbard
17 February 2011NorwayWaves up to 0.3 m
M7.2 earthquake, Papua New Guinea
17 February 1951Papua New Guinea
Tsunami, Central Chile
17 February 1923ChileWaves up to 1.5 m
Earthquake, San Cristobal,Tachira (Lobatera)
17 February 1869Venezuela
Tsunami, Azores
17 February 1855PortugalWaves up to 10 m
Tsunami, Marie-Galante Island
17 February 1843Guadeloupe (French Territory)
Soufriere Guadeloupe eruption
17 February 1843Guadeloupe
Tsunami, Southwest Scotland
17 February 1750UK
Tsunami, Aegean Sea
17 February 1659Greece
Earthquake, Van
17 February 1646Turkey

Big earthquakes and major disasters on 17 February in recent decades.

From the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program eruption record.