On this day: 15 March
Historic disasters
12
Recorded deaths
151
Eruptions began
20
Major events since 1900
20
Disasters on 15 March in history
Damaging earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions from the NOAA Natural Hazards database, deadliest first.
M7.2 earthquake, Senhoku
15 March 1914Japan94 killed640 homes destroyed
M8.0 earthquake, Concepcion, Chillan
15 March 1657ChileTriggered a tsunami40 killed
Tsunami, Lake Maggiore
15 March 1867Italy16 killed7 homes destroyed
Kirishimayama eruption (VEI 2)
15 March 1896Japan1 killed1 injured
Etna eruption
15 March 2017Italy10 injured
M4.3 earthquake, Maharashtra: Dhebewadi
15 March 2005India
M6.8 earthquake, Sakhalin Island
15 March 1924RussiaTriggered a tsunami
Earthquake, Croatia: Podgora
15 March 1923Croatia
M5.5 earthquake, Kajuadi Island
15 March 1897IndonesiaTriggered a tsunami
M7.1 earthquake, Sanriku: Hachinohe
15 March 1763JapanTriggered a tsunami
Earthquake, Oaxaca
15 March 1604Mexico
Earthquake, Marmara Sea
15 March 1419TurkeyTriggered a tsunami
Major events from our live records
Big earthquakes and major disasters on 15 March in recent decades.
- 6.9
M6.9 earthquake near Poronaysk, Sakhalin Oblast
15 km deep
Major - 6.9
M6.9 earthquake near Yamada, Iwate
15 km deep
Major - 6.7
M6.7 earthquake near Caldera, Atacama
29 km deep
Major - 6.7
M6.7 earthquake - 120 km SSE of Pondaguitan, Philippines
41 km deep
Major - 6.6
M6.6 earthquake near Olhão, Faro
29 km deep
Major - 6.6
M6.6 earthquake - 266 km S of Nadi, Fiji
15 km deep
Major - 6.5
M6.5 earthquake - 20 km ESE of Port-Olry, Vanuatu
132 km deep
Major - 6.5
M6.5 earthquake - 96 km ENE of Fais, Micronesia
25 km deep
Major - 6.4
M6.4 earthquake - 181 km SSW of Corinto, Nicaragua
15 km deep
Major - 6.4
M6.4 earthquake - 118 km E of Nikolski, Alaska
25 km deep
Major - 6.3
M6.3 earthquake near Punata, Cochabamba
359 km deep
Major - 6.3
M6.3 earthquake near Sechura, Piura
29 km deep
Major - 6.3
M6.3 earthquake near Huanuni, Oruro
243 km deep
Major - 6.3
M6.3 earthquake near Bengkulu, Bengkulu
15 km deep
Major - 6.3
M6.3 earthquake near Ridgecrest, California
6 km deep
Major - 6.3
M6.3 earthquake - 21 km WSW of Sola, Vanuatu
35 km deep
Major - 6.3
M6.3 earthquake - 201 km ESE of Tadine, New Caledonia
35 km deep
Major - 6.3
M6.3 earthquake near Hastings, Hawke's Bay Region
25 km deep
Major - 6.3
M6.3 earthquake - South Indian Ocean
10 km deep
Major - 6.2
M6.2 earthquake near Cauquenes, Maule Region
14 km deep
Major
Eruptions that began on 15 March
From the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program eruption record.
- 2024Barren Island, IndiaVEI 2
- 2022Bezymianny, RussiaVEI 3
- 2009Redoubt, United StatesVEI 3
- 2007Reventador, EcuadorVEI 2
- 2004Kavachi, Solomon IslandsVEI 1
- 1999Batur, IndonesiaVEI 1
- 1980Krakatau, IndonesiaVEI 2
- 1966Fournaise, Piton de la, FranceVEI 2
- 1966Pavlof, United StatesVEI 2
- 1940Slamet, IndonesiaVEI 2
- 1928Tengger Caldera, IndonesiaVEI 2
- 1919Etna, ItalyVEI 2
- 1906Ruapehu, New ZealandVEI 2
- 1903Io-Torishima, JapanVEI 2
- 1853St. Helens, United StatesVEI 2
- 1842Bagana, Papua New GuineaVEI 1
- 1841Hunter Island, France - claimed by VanuatuVEI ?
- 1657Villarrica, ChileVEI 1
- 233Taupo, New ZealandVEI 6
- 425 BCEEtna, ItalyVEI ?