What the record shows for Cameroon
Over the last 20 years, USGS has catalogued 0 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater within 333 km of Cameroon - about one every Infinity years. 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 2 tsunamis within 333 km of Cameroon between 1984 and 1986. The most significant was in 1986 near Lake Nyos, which killed around 1,700 people.
4 volcanoes are catalogued near Cameroon, including Ngaoundere Plateau, Oku Volcanic Field, Manengouba, Tombel Graben. 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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Cameroon’s seismic activity is tied to the volcanic Cameroon Line stretching inland from the coast.
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 Cameroon.
Earthquake risk in Cameroon - FAQ
Is Cameroon at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 1 quake every infinity years nearby of magnitude 4+ within 333 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data.
What was the biggest earthquake in Cameroon?
We don't have a standout large earthquake on record close to Cameroon in the modern catalog, though smaller quakes can still occur.
Does Cameroon get tsunamis?
Yes - 2 tsunamis since 1984 (most recently 1986) within 333 km, from the NOAA database. The deadliest killed around 1,700 people.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Cameroon?
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.