1989 Malawi earthquake
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| Date | 10 March 1989 |
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| Origin time | 21:49:47 |
| Magnitude | 6.3 Mw |
| Depth | 28 km (17 mi) |
| Epicenter | 13°44′S 34°25′E / 13.74°S 34.41°ECoordinates: 13°44′S 34°25′E / 13.74°S 34.41°E |
| Type | Dip-slip |
| Areas affected | Malawi |
| Max. intensity | VII (Very strong) |
| Casualties | At least 9 people killed and 100 injured |
The 1989 Malawi earthquake occurred on 10 March in central Malawi, with a moment magnitude of 6.3 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of VII (Very strong). It was preceded by a number of foreshocks, the largest being a 5.7 Mw shock on the previous day. The earthquake was felt strongly throughout central Malawi, and also felt in parts of Mozambique (Niassa and Tete Provinces) and Zambia (Eastern Province). Nine people were killed, with many others injured or left homeless.
Nine people are known to have been killed as a result of the earthquake – six in Dedza, two in Salima, and one in Chitala. At least two of the deaths (one in Dedza and one in Chitala) were caused by roof collapses, in both cases occurring in houses with roofs built from blocks of baked clay (a non-standard method of construction). The total number of injuries from the earthquake has been estimated at 100, and the total number of people left homeless at about 50,000.
Urban areas were worst affected by the quake, as houses were more likely to be built of brick and thus more susceptible to cracking. The major building with the most visible damage was the Nanjoka Railway Station complex, which developed severe cracks in its walls and was subsequently abandoned. The Chitala Farm Institute, an agricultural school, was also heavily damaged. In rural areas, most dwellings were simple huts, built by pasting mud or clay onto timber frames. These were left mostly undamaged.
The 1989 Malawi earthquake was the result of a dip-slip fault in the Malawi rift system, part of the larger East African Rift. It is believed to have occurred at a depth of about 30 km (19 mi), with the lack of surface faulting being attributed to its occurrence at a relatively deep level.
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