References are numbered in [brackets], which are listed here. A number after the dot gives the page in the source.

Last updated: 2008 August 9.

79-1804	1805-1899	1900-1949	1950-1969	1970-1979	1980-1984	1985-1989	1990-1994	1995-1999	2000-2004
2005-end

1980 January 1 In Azores Islands, Portugal, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake occurs. At least 60 people killed, 400 or more injured and extensive damage. [53] January 24 North of Livermore Valley, California, a magnitude 5.8 earthquake occurs. [53] January 27 Near Livermore, California, a magnitude 5.8 earthquake occurs. [53] March 1 Snow falls in Florida. [1] March 27 Mount Saint Helens in Washington state becomes active after 123 years. [1] May 18 At Mount Saint Helens, Washington, a magnitude 5.0 earthquake occurs. (This earthquake occurred only seconds before the explosion which began the eruption of Mount Saint Helens volcano.) [53] Mount Saint Helens erupts in Washington, killing 57 and causing US$3 billion in damage. 396 metres of the top of the mountain explodes in a gigantic dust cloud. [1] [53] [120] June 3 A series of deadly tornadoes strikes Grand Island, Nebraska, causing over $300m in damage, killing 5 people and injuring over 250. [120] June 9 In the California - Mexico border region, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake occurs. [53] July 15 A severe and destructive thunderstorm strikes four counties in western Wisconsin, including the city of Eau Claire. It causes over US$250 million in damage, and one person is killed. [120] July 27 In Northeast Kentucky, a magnitude 5.2 earthquake occurs. Felt in 15 states and in parts of southern Ontario, Canada. [53] July 29 In Nepal, a magnitude 6.6 earthquake occurs. 100-200 people killed, many injured and extensive damage in western Nepal. [53] August 9 In Guatemala, a magnitude 6.7 earthquake occurs. [53] August 10 Allen, the most powerful hurricane in Caribbean hits Brownsville, Texas. [1] [120] August 18 Near the coast of Ecuador, a magnitude 5.6 earthquake occurs. Eight people killed, 100 injured and extensive damage in the Guayaquil area. [53] August 23 In the Kashmir - India border region, a magnitude 5.2 earthquake occurs. [53] October 10 In El Asnam, Algeria, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake occurs. At least 5,000 people killed, 9,000 injured and extensive damage. [1] [53] [120] October 24 In central Mexico, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake occurs. At least 300 people killed, many injured, approximately 150,000 homeless and extensive damage in central Mexico. [53] November 8 In Gorda Plate, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake occurs. Most of the damage occurred east of Fields Landing, where two sections of an overpass on U.S. Highway 101 collapsed onto the railroad tracks below. [53] November 23 In Southern Italy, a magnitude 6.5 earthquake occurs. Over 3,000 people killed, about 1,900 missing, 7,750 injured, 250,000 homeless and extensive damage. [53] [120] 1981 January 12 -35 degrees F (-37 degrees C), Chester, Massachusetts (state record). [1] January 19 In Irian Jaya, Indonesia, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake occurs. Three hundred five people killed, some injured and about 1,000 missing in the Jayawijaya Mountains. [53] January 23 In Sichuan Province, China, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake occurs. One hundred fifty people killed, 300 injured and extensive damage in the Dawu area. [53] February 24 In Greece, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake occurs. Sixteen people killed, more than 400 injured, and considerable damage in the Athens-Corinth area. [53] [119] June 11 In Southern Iran, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake occurs. Three thousand people killed, many injured, and extensive damage in Kerman Province. [53] July 28 In Southern Iran, a magnitude 7.3 earthquake occurs. Fifteen hundred people killed, 1,000 injured, 50,000 homeless and extensive damage in the Kerman region. [53] September 12 In Kashmir, a magnitude 6.2 earthquake occurs. At least 220 people killed, 2,500 injured, and extensive damage and landslides in the Gilgit area. [53] October 16 Off the coast of Central Chile, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake occurs. [53] October 18 In Venezuela, a magnitude 5.4 earthquake occurs. Fifteen people killed, many injured, and extensive damage in the Cucuta, Colombia-San Cristobal area. [53] October 25 In Michoacan, Mexico, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake occurs. [53] December 12 In Pakistan, a magnitude 4.6 earthquake occurs. [53] December 19 In the Aegean Sea, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake occurs. [53] Year Global mean surface temperature at highest point since accurate measurements in 1880. [58] 1982 January 4 San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge closed for third time by fierce storm. [1] January 9 5.9 earthquake in New England and Canada; first since 1855. [1] January 10 The lowest ever United Kingdom temperature of -27.2 degrees C (-17 F) is recorded at Braemar, in Aberdeenshire, equaling the record set in the same place in 1895. [1] [116] January 11 Atlanta, Georgia's temperature goes below zero degrees F. [1] (to January 17) A brutal cold snap sends temperatures to all-time record lows in dozens of cities throughout the Midwestern United States. [116] In Luzon, Philippine Islands, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake occurs. [53] January 12 In Honduras, a magnitude 6.2 earthquake occurs. [53] January 13 Shortly after takeoff, Air Florida Flight 90 crashes into Washington, D.C.'s 14th Street Bridge and falls into the Potomac River, killing 78. [1] [116] January 18 In the Aegean Sea, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake occurs. Felt strongly throughout Greece, also felt in Bulgaria, southeastern Italy, southeastern Yugoslavia and western Turkey. [53] January 22 75 percent of North America is covered by snow. [1] March 21 In Hokkaido, Japan region, a magnitude 6.7 earthquake occurs. [53] March 28 Near the coast of Peru, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake occurs. Three people killed and extensive damage at Lunahuana. [53] April 6 A blizzard unprecedented in size for April dumps 1-2 feet of snow on the northeastern U.S., closing schools and businesses, snarling traffic, and canceling several major league baseball games. [56] [116] April 13 In South Africa, a magnitude 5.0 earthquake occurs. [53] June 7 Near the coast of Guerrero, Mexico, a magnitude 7.2 earthquakes occurs, followed in four hours by another 7.0 earthquake. Felt strongly throughout southern Mexico. [53] June 15 In Sichuan Province, China, a magnitude 5.6 earthquake occurs. Ten people killed, 5 injured and damage in the Garze area. [53] June 19 Offshore El Salvador, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake occurs. At least 40 people killed, many injured and thousands of people left homeless in El Salvador. Felt in Costa Rica, Honduras and Nicaragua. [53] June 23 -117 degrees F, all time low at the South Pole. [1] July 24 Torrential rain and mudslides in Nagasaki, Japan destroy bridges and kill 299. [116] September 14 36 inches of snow in Red Lodge, Montana. [1] September 29 In Guatemala, a magnitude 5.5 earthquake occurs. [53] October 12 38.6 cm (15.2 inches) of rainfall, Angoon, Alaska (state record). [1] November 16 In Albania, a magnitude 5.5 earthquake occurs. [53] December 3 35.7 cm rainfall at Big Fork, Arkansas (state record). [1] December 13 In Yemen, a magnitude 6.0 earthquake occurs, centered about 46 miles south of Sana, the capital. Deaths of more than 2,800 people killed, 1,500 injured, 700,000 homeless and about 300 villages destroyed or badly damaged. [1] [53] December 16 In the Hindu Kush region, Afghanistan, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake occurs. 450 people killed. [53] December 25 In the Flores Island region, a magnitude 5.9 earthquake occurs. Thirteen people killed, 390 injured, 1,875 homes destroyed and other buildings damaged. [53] 1983 January 24 In Oaxaca, Mexico, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake occurs. [53] February 11 Fourth largest snowfall in New York City history (18 inches (46cm)). [1] March 1 Tornado tears through Louisiana, USA, injuring 33 people. [1] March 15 In Honshu, Japan, a magnitude 5.3 earthquake occurs. [53] March 18 In New Ireland region, a magnitude 7.9 earthquake occurs. [53] March 23 In Greece, a magnitude 6.0 earthquake occurs. [53] March 25 In Iran, a magnitude 5.2 earthquake occurs. Thirty people killed, 61 injured. [53] March 31 In Colombia, a magnitude 5.5 earthquake occurs. 250-350 people killed, many injured and extensive damage in the Popayan area. [1] [53] April 3 In Costa Rica, a magnitude 7.3 earthquake occurs. [53] May 2 In Coalinga California, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake occurs. [53] 6.7 earthquake injures 487 in Coalinga, California. [1] May 26 Near the west coast of Honshu, Japan, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake occurs. At least 104 people killed, some injured, and extensive damage to dwellings, roads, and vessels caused by earthquake and a tsunami along the Japan Sea coast from southern Hokkaido to the Niigata area, Honshu. Estimated tsunami heights were 14 metres at Minehama, Honshu. [53] [115] June 21 In Hokkaido, Japan, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake occurs. [53] July 3 In Costa Rica, a magnitude 6.7 earthquake occurs. [53] July 5 In Turkey, a magnitude 5.9 earthquake occurs. [53] July 21 The lowest temperature on earth is recorded in Vostok Station, Antarctica with -89.2 degrees C (-128.6 degrees F). [1] [54] [115] July 22 In Western Iran, a magnitude 5.6 earthquake occurs. [53] July 23 Heavy massive rain and mudslide occurred at western Shimane prefecture, Japan, 117 killed. [115] August 8 Near the south coast of Honshu, Japan, a magnitude 5.9 earthquake occurs. [53] August 17 In Luzon, Philippine Islands, a magnitude 6.5 earthquake occurs. Sixteen people killed, 47 injured and extensive damage in the Pasuquin-Laoag-Batac and Serrat areas. [53] August 18 Hurricane Alicia hits the Texas coast, killing 22 and causing extensive damage. [1] [115] October 4 Near the coast of Northern Chile, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake occurs. At least 5 people killed, 24 injured and extensive damage in the Copiapo-Chanaral area. [53] October 7 In New York, a magnitude 5.3 earthquake occurs. [53] October 28 In Borah Peak, Idaho, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake occurs, the largest historical earthquake in Idaho. [53] October 30 In Turkey, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake occurs. At least 1,342 people killed, 534 seriously injured, more than 25,000 people homeless, and 50 villages completely destroyed in the provinces of Erzurum and Kars. [53] November 6 In Eastern China, a magnitude 5.7 earthquake occurs. Thirty-four people killed, about 2,200 injured and about 3,300 houses destroyed in the Heze-Dongming area of Shandong Province. [53] November 8 In Belgium, a magnitude 4.9 earthquake occurs. [53] November 16 In Hawaii, a magnitude 6.7 earthquake occurs. [53] November 30 In Chagos Archipelago Region, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake occurs. [53] December 22 In Guinea, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake occurs. At least 443 people killed, 200 missing, 150 seriously injured and extensive damage in the Gaoual-Koumbia area, Guinea. [53] December 30 In the Hindu Kush region, Afghanistan, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake occurs. Twelve people killed, 483 injured and extensive damage in the Kabul-Samangan, Afghanistan area. Fourteen people killed, hundreds injured, and moderate damage in the Peshawar, Pakistan area. [53] 1984 January 8 In Sulawesi, Indonesia, a magnitude 6.7 earthquake occurs. [53] March 19 In Western Uzbekistan, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake occurs. [53] March 27 Near the north coast of New Guinea, Papua New Guinea, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake occurs. [53] April 23 In Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, a magnitude 4.4 earthquake occurs. [53] April 24 In Morgan Hill, California, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake occurs. [53] April 27 Over 70 inches of snow falls on Red Lake, Montana. [1] April 29 In Central Italy, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake occurs. [53] May 7 In Southern Italy, a magnitude 6.0 earthquake occurs. [53] May 13 In Bosnia and Herzegovina, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake occurs. [53] May 21 In Eastern China, a magnitude 6.0 earthquake occurs. [53] May 26 Tulsa, Oklahoma gets 13 inches of rain, 14 die. [1] June 8 A deadly F5 tornado nearly destroys the town of Barneveld, Wisconsin, killing 9 people, injuring nearly 200, and causing over $25,000,000 in damage. [114] July 9 Lightning sets fire to York Minster. [114] July 19 In the United Kingdom, a magnitude 5.4 earthquake occurs. [53] August 6 In Kyushu, Japan, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake occurs. [53] August 16 Hottest day ever recorded in Kansas City, Missouri. [114] August 18 Triangle Oil Corp, above-ground storage tank at Jacksonville Florida, spills 2.5 million gallons of oil burned after lightning sparked a fire. [1] August 27 In Northern Sumatra, Indonesia, a magnitude 5.2 earthquake occurs. One hundred twenty-three people injured and 405 buildings damaged in the Tarutung area. Felt at Kuala Lumpur and Pinang, Malaysia. [53] September 13 In Honshu, Japan, a magnitude 6.3 earthquake occurs. At least 24 people killed and severe damage and landslides in the Otaki area. [53] September 18 Off the east coast of Honshu, Japan, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake occurs. [53] In Turkey, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake occurs. Three people killed, 38 injured, and 75,000 houses destroyed or damaged in the Olur-Senkaya area. [53] October 18 In Turkey, a magnitude 5.3 earthquake occurs. Three people killed, 35 injured, and 75,000 homes damaged in the Erzurum-Senkaya area. [53] December 30 In the India-Bangladesh border region, a magnitude 5.6 earthquake occurs. Twenty people killed, about 100 injured, 10,000 homeless and extensive damage in southern Assam, India. [53]