BEIJING, Dec. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- An earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale rocked early Friday the ancient city of Bam in Kerman province of southeastern Iran, killing more than 20,000 people and injuring 50,000 others.

    The following is a chronology of major earthquakes which occurred around the world this year:

    Jan. 21 -- A powerful quake with a magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter scale killed at least 20 people and injured more than 100 others in Mexico's central western state of Colima.

    Feb. 24 -- A quake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale left 268 people dead and caused huge property damage in Jiashi and Bachu counties of China's western Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

    May 1 -- At least 167 were killed and over 500 others injured when a quake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale hit Turkey's eastern province of Bingol.

    May 21 -- An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 on the Richter scale struck northern Algeria, killing almost 2,300 people and injuring more than 10,000.

    May 26 -- A quake measuring 7 on the Richter scale jolted northeastern Japan, injuring 118.

    May 27 -- A strong earthquake, measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale, rocked the southern Philippine island of Sulu.

    Sept. 22 -- An earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale shook the central part of Myanmar, causing damage to houses, bridges and some ancient pagodas.

    Sept. 26 -- A total of 591 people were injured when an offshoreearthquake measuring 8 on the Richter scale, followed by a series of aftershocks, hit Japan's northern Hokkaido Prefecture.

    Dec. 22 -- An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.5 rocked the southern and central parts of California, the United States, killing three and injuring 50 others. Enditem