about 1,300,000
New Zealand has many minor earthquakes a year, but only one major earthquake has happened in New Zealand in 2011.
As of Oct 2011 there were 17 earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 and greater in 2011 with the largest being magnitude 9.0 in Japan on March 11th. The list of earthquakes by year (1990-Present) or by country can be found at the USGS Earthquake Hazards website. It provides a list of significant earthquakes for 2011 as well as a worldwide map of earthquakes for 2011. See link below maps, lists, and statistics.
worldwide 1,516 united states 348
One 8.9 Magnitude and about 100 6.0 Aftershocks
From 1680 to Jan. 12-11, there have been 65 earthquakes. Sorry, couldn't find any for the rest of 2011 or 2012.
There were 22,289 recorded earthquakes in 2011 worldwide and 5,237 in the United States according to the USGS. However, the USGS estimates that several million earthquakes occur in the world each year and go undetected because they hit remote areas or have very small magnitudes.
1 big one and at least >200 aftershocks
Christchurch, New Zealand has experienced several significant earthquakes, with the most notable being the Canterbury Earthquake sequence in 2010 and 2011. These earthquakes caused widespread damage and loss of life in the region.
One 9.0Near the East Coast of Honshu, Japan 2011/03/11 05:46:23
Yes many earthquakes are destructive
Christchurch, New Zealand has experienced significant earthquakes in the past, particularly the devastating earthquake in 2011. However, seismic activity has decreased since then, and the city is not currently as prone to frequent earthquakes as it was in the aftermath of the 2011 event.
Nobody knows how many earthquakes can happen in a year because you cannot predict earthquakes. :)