Earthquakes are caused by movements within the Earth's crust and uppermost mantle. They range from weak events detectable only by seismometers, to sudden and violent events lasting many minutes which have caused some of the greatest disasters in human history. Below, earthquakes are listed by period, region or country, year, magnitude, cost, fatalities, and number of scientific studies.

Deadliest earthquakes

The following is a summary list of earthquakes with over approximately 100,000 deaths. The 893 Ardabil earthquake probably relate to the 893 Dvin earthquake, due to misreading of the Arabic word for Dvin, 'Dabil' as 'Ardabil'. This is regarded as a 'fake earthquake'.

Deadliest earthquakes by year since 1929

Largest earthquakes by magnitude

For those which occurred before the development and deployment of seismographs – starting around 1900 – magnitudes are estimated from historical reports of the extent and severity of damage.

Pre-instrumental earthquakes

Largest earthquake by magnitude each year since 1937

Largest earthquake by magnitude by country/territory

Costliest earthquakes

This is the top ten major earthquakes by the US dollar value of property (public and private) losses directly attributable to the earthquake.

Most studied earthquakes

The 50 most studied earthquakes according to the International Seismological Centre (ISC), based on a count of scientific papers (mostly in English) that discuss that earthquake. The "Event #" is linked to the ISC Event Bibliography for that event. Modified from figure 2, "The most studied events", at the ISC's Overview of the ISC Event Bibliography. 2018.

Lists by time period

By century

By decade

By year

Lists by location

By country

By region