Significant earthquakes of 1964

May 7, 1964 Earthquake: Tanzania

May 7, 1964 · M6 · 1 death

A magnitude 6 earthquake struck Tanzania on May 7, 1964 at 05:45:00 UTC, 33 km below the surface. It killed 1 person.

Map

Where it struck, with the other significant earthquakes within 200 km. Circles are sized and colored by magnitude; select one for its page.

The earthquake

Date
May 7, 1964
Time
05:45:00 UTC
Place
Tanzania
Magnitude
6
Focal depth
33 km (21 mi)
Tsunami
None recorded
Epicenter
4.000° S, 34.900° E
Country
Tanzania

The toll

Deaths
1
Injuries
19
Damage
Severe (about $5 to $25 million)

Where the literature gives no number, NCEI records a description on a scale of 1 to 4, printed here in its words. Damage is in millions of US dollars of the year of the event, not adjusted for inflation.

What the record says

NCEI’s account, from the sources it cites.

One killed at Babati, 19 injured at Mbulu, and extensive property damage. (reference #45)

Other significant earthquakes nearby

Within 200 km, the deadliest first.

More

Significant earthquakes of 1964The 1900sEvery quake the USGS located in 1964Recent earthquakes near hereThis day in weather history

Sources

Significant earthquakes from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Hazard Database, cited as NCEI/WDS, doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7. Public domain. Read 2026-09-24. NCEI earthquake 4317.