The U.S. Geological Survey said Friday there were 70 "signifcant" earthquakes around the world in 1992 - 10 of them in the United States and nine of those in California.
A significant quake was described as one measuring at least 6.5 on the Richter scale or one of lesser magnitude that caused casualties or considerable damage.Twenty-one were labeled "major," meaning they registered 7 or higher on the Richter. That was the largest number of major earthquakes in one year since 1976.
The June 28 quake measuring 7.6 in the Mojave Desert east of Los Angeles was the most powerful quake in the world last year and the biggest in California in 40 years. The one person killed was the only U.S. quake fatality of the year.
The 10th significant U.S. quake occurred in southern Utah.
Worldwide, the 70 significant quakes was slightly more than the previous year and slightly more than the long-term average.
Earthquakes killed about 3,500 people worldwide, up slightly from 1991 but well below the long-term average. Since comprehensive record-keeping began 30 years ago, an average of about 60 significant quakes have occurred per year with the average annual death toll at about 10,000.
The deadliest quake of 1992 was a magnitude 7.5 jolt that killed at least 2,200 people in Indonesia on Dec. 12.