r, though most of these aren’t noticed because they are so small in magnitude. In the last 30 days, there were roughly 400 earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 or greater. The earth is doing a lot of shaking and quaking! (Meyers R. Earthquakes in diverse places. Commentary, March 29, 2011)
In 2011, there were more earthquakes in the of 5.0-6.9 range per the USGS (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqarchives/year/eqstats.php).
The rate of earthquakes has accelerated greatly in certain areas since 2009:
A new United States Geological Survey study has found that middle America between Alabama and Montana is experiencing an "unprecedented" and "almost certainly manmade" increase in earthquakes of 3.0 magnitude or greater. In 2011, there were 134 events of that size. That's six times more than were normally seen during the 20th century. While the changes in the area's seismicity began in 2001, the trend has really accelerated since 2009, the geologists note. (Madrigal A. Middle America Is Experiencing a Massive Increase in 3.0+ Earthquakes. The Atlantic, April 6, 2012. http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/04/middle-america-is-experiencing-a-massive-increase-in-30-earthquakes/255568/
A record earthquake occured on April 11, 2012 and seems to be part of an accerating trend:
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Four large earthquakes struck around the Pacific Rim Wednesday with one setting a record, as the most powerful strike-slip quake ever recorded. (Cluster Of Large Quakes Serve As Reminder For Preparedness. April 12, 2012. http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2012/04/12/cluster-of-large-quakes-serve-as-reminder-for-preparedness/)
In 2001, there were 137 earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 or greater and in 2011 there were 205...a magnitude 8.6 earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia and that was rapidly followed by a magnitude 8.2 earthquake off the coast of Indonesia...Normally we only see about one earthquake of magnitude 8.0 or greater per year. The magnitude 8.6 earthquake was the most powerful strike-slip earthquake in recorded history. If that earthquake had happened in the United States, it would have probably been the worst natural disaster in U.S. history. (Ring Of Fire Is Roaring To Life and Earthquakes Of Historic Importance: US West Coast. American Dream, April 17, 2011. http://www.rightsidenews.com/2012041716064/life-and-science/energy-and-environment/ring-of-fire-is-roaring-to-life-and-earthquakes-of-historic-importance-us-west-coast.html)
In less than a day in Iceland in 2014, there were at least 500 earthquakes (see 500 earthquakes hit Iceland, today).
Earthquake dangers seem to be rising.
Thus far, history indicates that the deadliest earthquakes have affected China and Indonesia. Here is information on what are believed to be the three deadliest earthquakes in recorded history:
Deadliest Earthquake - Jan 23, 1556 The [magnitude 8] earthquake occurred near Huaxian, Shaanxi (formerly Shensi), China, about 50 miles east-northeast of Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi. More than 830,000 people were killed. http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/world/most_destructive.php
Tangshan, China - July 28, 1976 This earthquake occurred in the northeastern part of China, near the coast. The epicenter was centered about 140 kilometers southeast of Beijing, in the vicinity of Tangshan. The first earthquake, magnitude 7.5, was followed by a major aftershock 15 hours later. According to official sources, the two earthquakes killed over 240,000 people, although some estimates of the death toll are as high as 655,000. Over 799,000 people were injured. Aftershocks in the 5.0-5.5 range continued after the main shock. Damage extended as far as Beijing. This is probably the greatest death toll from an earthquake in the last four centuries, and the second greatest in recorded history.
Sumatra Earthquake, Tsunami - Dec 26, 2004 This is the third largest earthquake in the world since 1900 [magnitude 9.1] and is the largest since the 1964 Prince William Sound, Alaska earthquake. In total, 227,898 people were killed or were missing and presumed dead and