Open Earth

On this day: 31 May

The deadliest recorded disaster on 31 May was the 1970 magnitude 7.9 earthquake near Northern, Pisco, Chiclayo, which killed 66,794 people.

Historic disasters

17

Recorded deaths

69,634

Eruptions began

9

Major events since 1900

20

Disasters on 31 May in history

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

  • M7.9 earthquake, Northern, Pisco, Chiclayo

    31 May 1970PeruTriggered a tsunami66,794 killed50,000 injured$530m damage

  • M8.2 earthquake, Morelos-Guerrero,Mexico City,Guadalajara

    31 May 1818MexicoTriggered a tsunami2,000 killed

  • M5.9 earthquake, Ustukran

    31 May 1946Turkey840 killed

  • M6.1 earthquake, Kishinev, Cis

    31 May 1990Romania

  • M7.2 earthquake, Puerto Plata

    31 May 1953Dominican RepublicTriggered a tsunami

  • M7.9 earthquake, Alaska Peninsula

    31 May 1917USA

  • M5.8 earthquake, Monte Pullerina

    31 May 1914Ecuador

  • Tsunami, Crimea

    31 May 1908Ukraine

  • Earthquake, Northern

    31 May 1895ChileTriggered a tsunami

  • Tsunami, Banka Island

    31 May 1883Indonesia

  • Earthquake, Southern

    31 May 1854USATriggered a tsunami

  • Earthquake, Oaxaca,Guerrero

    31 May 1848Mexico

  • Tsunami, Southwest England

    31 May 1811UKWaves up to 2.4 m

  • Tsunami, Dorset, England

    31 May 1759UK

  • M6.4 earthquake, Tokaido, Japan

    31 May 1666JapanTriggered a tsunami

  • Earthquake, Gargano

    31 May 1646Italy

  • Earthquake, Padova

    31 May 802Italy

Major events from our live records

Big earthquakes and major disasters on 31 May in recent decades.

Eruptions that began on 31 May

From the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program eruption record.

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