Here is a chronology of major earthquakes that each killed more than 1,000 people in the last 10 years. Magnitudes are based on the open-ended Richter scale unless otherwise stated.

Jan. 26, 2001 - India - An earthquake centered in the western state of Gujarat measured a 7.7 magnitude and killed about 30,000 people.

Jan. 13, 2001 - El Salvador - An earthquake centered off the Pacific coast about 65 miles (105km) southeast of the capital, San Salvador, killed more than 1,000 people and measured 7.6 magnitude. A second quake struck the region one month later, killing hundreds.

Sept. 21, 1999 - Taiwan - More than 2,000 people were killed and 12,000 buildings toppled island-wide in a massive quake that measured 7.6.

Aug. 17, 1999 - Turkey - more than 17,000 people were killed when a devastating earthquake measuring 7.4 hit Turkey, its worst natural disaster in 60 years.

Jan. 25, 1999 - Colombia - A powerful earthquake ripped through Colombia's central coffee-growing region, killing at least 1,170 people.

July 17, 1998 - Papua New Guinea - An undersea earthquake created three waves, which struck the PNG coast near the town of Aitape, wiping out entire villages. The quake, which measured 7.1, killed at least 2,100.

May 30, 1998 - Afghanistan - A powerful earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale hit northern Afghanistan killing up to 4,000 people and destroying 50 villages in Takhar Province.

Feb. 4, 1998 - Afghanistan - At least 4,500 were killed in an earthquake in the Rustaq District of Takhar Province. The quake measured 6.1 on the Richter scale.

May 10, 1997 - Iran - 1,560 people were killed and 2,810 injured when an earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale rocked rural areas of eastern Iran. The quake leveled 11 villages and inflicted heavy damage on the towns of Qaen and Birjand near its epicenter about 90 miles (150km) from the border with Afghanistan.

Feb. 28, 1997 - Iran - An earthquake killed about 1,000 people and injured 2,000 in northwestern Iran. The quake, measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale, hit the city of Ardebil and the town of Meshkinshahr.

May 28, 1995 - Russia - Russia's worst-ever earthquake killed 1,989 people in the Far East Russian oil-producing town of Neftegorsk, on the north of the remote Sakhalin Island. The quake measured 7.5 on the Richter scale.

Jan. 17, 1995 - Japan - 6,430 people were killed after a strong earthquake ripped through central Japan. Measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale, the earthquake, centered on the port of Kobe, was the biggest quake to hit Japan in half a century.

June 6, 1994 - Colombia - Some 1,000 killed in an earthquake and mudslide disaster in the Paez River Valley in southwestern Colombia.

Sept. 30, 1993 - India - Thousands were killed in 36 villages destroyed after a series of powerful earthquakes that rocked western and southern India. The first of the five tremors measured 6.4 on the open-ended Richter scale.

Dec. 12, 1992 - Indonesia - A string of islands in the province of East Nusa Tenggara was hit by an earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale. At least 2,200 people were killed, with 1,490 dying in Maumere on the island of Flores that took the brunt of the quake. A further 700 were confirmed dead in Babi Island.

Oct. 20, 1991 - India - 1,600 dead, at least 2,000 injured. Richter scale 6.1, close to Uttarkashi, 190 miles (306km) northeast of Delhi.

Feb. 1, 1991 - Pakistan/Afghanistan - about 1,200 dead (Pakistan 200, Afghanistan 1,000), many hundreds injured. 6.8 on Richter scale in Pakistan, shook large areas of both countries.

July 16, 1990 - Philippines - 1,620 killed, 3,500 injured. Richter 7.8, epicenter the city of Cabanatuan. About half the deaths were around the tourist center of Baguio. An estimated 148,000 were displaced or made homeless.

June 21, 1990 - Iran - 35,000 dead, 100,000 injured, the worst recorded disaster in Iran. Registering 7.7 on Richter scale, devastated Caspian regions of Gilan and Zanjan. Some 500,000 were made homeless.

END1= (Reuter)