What the record shows for Algeria
Over the last 20 years, USGS has catalogued 3 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater within 666 km of Algeria - about one every 5 years. That rate describes how often the ground moves enough to be recorded, not how often damage occurs; most of these are never felt.
No tsunamis are recorded within 666 km of Algeria in the NOAA NCEI database. A quiet record is not the same as no exposure - a large enough offshore earthquake can reach coastlines that have never been hit in the historical period.
3 volcanoes are catalogued near Algeria, including Manzaz Volcanic Field, Atakor Volcanic Field, Tahalra Volcanic Field. Volcanic systems generate their own earthquake swarms, which is why activity here can look different from a purely tectonic region.
Sources: USGS earthquake catalog, NOAA tsunami database, and the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. Figures update as the catalogs are revised.
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Northern Algeria sits on the active boundary between the African and Eurasian plates.
The only real protection is a warning the moment the ground moves - which is exactly what the free QuakeMate app gives you, along with tsunami and volcano alerts for Algeria.
Earthquake risk in Algeria - FAQ
Is Algeria at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 1 quake every 5 years nearby of magnitude 4+ within 666 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data.
What was the biggest earthquake in Algeria?
We don't have a standout large earthquake on record close to Algeria in the modern catalog, though smaller quakes can still occur.
Does Algeria get tsunamis?
No tsunamis are recorded within 666 km of Algeria in the NOAA database - though coastlines everywhere carry some residual risk after a very large offshore quake.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Algeria?
Download the free QuakeMate app for iPhone. It watches your location and sends a real-time push the instant a quake strikes nearby, plus tsunami and volcano alerts, with custom magnitude and distance rules. On Android, join the waitlist.