Open Earth

On this day: 16 May

The deadliest recorded disaster on 16 May was the 1963 eruption of Agung, which killed 120 people.

Historic disasters

17

Recorded deaths

194

Eruptions began

60

Major events since 1900

20

Disasters on 16 May in history

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

  • Agung eruption (VEI 3)

    16 May 1963Indonesia120 killed

  • M8.2 earthquake, Off East Coast of Honshu Island

    16 May 1968JapanTriggered a tsunami52 killed330 injured1,218 homes destroyed$131m damage

  • Kelud eruption (VEI 3)

    16 May 1848Indonesia22 killed800 homes destroyed

  • M5.8 earthquake, Lares, Vega Baja

    16 May 2010USA Territory

  • M6.3 earthquake, Bokeo; Thailand: Chiang Rai, Chian Saen

    16 May 2007Laos

  • M7.7 earthquake, Noumea; Vanuatu: Port-Vila

    16 May 1995New CaledoniaTriggered a tsunami

  • M7.5 earthquake, Off Coast of Honshu Island

    16 May 1968JapanTriggered a tsunami

  • M7.9 earthquake, Peru

    16 May 1951Peru

  • M7.9 earthquake, Peru

    16 May 1950Peru

  • M7.0 earthquake, Yunnan Province

    16 May 1941China

  • Earthquake, Sabtan,Batan

    16 May 1915Philippines

  • Tsunami, Lakeba Island

    16 May 1902Fiji

  • M6.9 earthquake, Near Coast of Jalisco

    16 May 1900MexicoTriggered a tsunami

  • M7.5 earthquake, Guam

    16 May 1892USA TerritoryTriggered a tsunami

  • M6.0 earthquake, Pointe-A-Pitre

    16 May 1851Guadeloupe

  • Tsunami, Livorno

    16 May 1850Italy

  • M6.2 earthquake, Greece

    16 May 1611Greece

Major events from our live records

Big earthquakes and major disasters on 16 May in recent decades.

Eruptions that began on 16 May

From the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program eruption record.

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