Western China, especially Tibet, Xinjiang and Sichuan, is highly seismic due to the India–Eurasia collision. This page pulls real records for China: the largest earthquakes on record from USGS, how often the ground shakes nearby, tsunamis from the NOAA database, and volcanoes from the Smithsonian program. Nothing is guessed.
A quiet recent record is good news, but many damaging earthquakes strike places that were quiet for decades. 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 China.
Check China hazard risk in detail
An interactive breakdown of the earthquake, tsunami and volcano risk near China - or search any city or region.
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Earthquake risk in China - FAQ
Is China at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 131 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 M8.6 in 1950.
What was the biggest earthquake in China?
The strongest earthquake on record near China is M8.6, in 1950 (1950 Assam-Tibet Earthquake), from USGS.
Does China get tsunamis?
Yes - 16 tsunamis since 1855 (most recently 2018) within 999 km, from the NOAA database. The deadliest killed around 235,502 people.
How do I get earthquake warnings in China?
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.