What the record shows for Azores
The strongest earthquake on record near Azores is a magnitude 7.9 in 1975, centred Azores-Cape St. Vincent Ridge - 51 years ago. The event is catalogued by USGS. See the event record.
Over the last 20 years, USGS has catalogued 680 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater within 999 km of Azores - roughly 34 a year. That rate describes how often the ground moves enough to be recorded, not how often damage occurs; most of these are never felt.
The NOAA NCEI database records 18 tsunamis within 999 km of Azores between 1522 and 1980. The most significant was in 1522 near Azores, which killed around 5,000 people.
14 volcanoes are catalogued near Azores, including Sao Jorge, Pico, Graciosa, Fayal, Terceira, Don Joao de Castro Bank and 8 more. 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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The Azores sit on the triple junction of the North American, Eurasian and African plates, with volcanic and earthquake swarms across the islands.
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 Azores.
Earthquake risk in Azores - FAQ
Is Azores at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 34 quakes a year nearby of magnitude 4+ within 999 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data. The strongest earthquake on record nearby is M7.9 in 1975.
What was the biggest earthquake in Azores?
The strongest earthquake on record near Azores is M7.9, in 1975 (Azores-Cape St. Vincent Ridge), from USGS.
Does Azores get tsunamis?
Yes - 18 tsunamis since 1522 (most recently 1980) within 999 km, from the NOAA database. The deadliest killed around 5,000 people.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Azores?
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.