What the record shows for Bolivia
The strongest earthquake on record near Bolivia is a magnitude 8.2 in 1994, centred 55 km NNW of Reyes, Bolivia - 32 years ago. The event is catalogued by USGS. See the event record.
Over the last 20 years, USGS has catalogued 202 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater within 444 km of Bolivia - roughly 10 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.
No tsunamis are recorded within 444 km of Bolivia 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.
2 volcanoes are catalogued near Bolivia, including Jatun Mundo Quri Warani, Jayu Khota, Laguna. 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.
Popular
Bolivia records some of the deepest earthquakes on Earth as the Nazca plate descends beneath the continent.
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 Bolivia.
Earthquake risk in Bolivia - FAQ
Is Bolivia at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 10 quakes a year nearby of magnitude 4+ within 444 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data. The strongest earthquake on record nearby is M8.2 in 1994.
What was the biggest earthquake in Bolivia?
The strongest earthquake on record near Bolivia is M8.2, in 1994 (55 km NNW of Reyes, Bolivia), from USGS.
Does Bolivia get tsunamis?
No tsunamis are recorded within 444 km of Bolivia in the NOAA database - though coastlines everywhere carry some residual risk after a very large offshore quake.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Bolivia?
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.