Costa Rica sits above the Cocos–Caribbean plate subduction zone and is highly seismically active. This page pulls real records for Costa Rica: 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 Costa Rica.
Check Costa Rica hazard risk in detail
An interactive breakdown of the earthquake, tsunami and volcano risk near Costa Rica - or search any city or region.
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Earthquake risk in Costa Rica - FAQ
Is Costa Rica at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 53 quakes a year nearby of magnitude 4+ within 300 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data. The strongest earthquake on record nearby is M7.6 in 2012.
What was the biggest earthquake in Costa Rica?
The strongest earthquake on record near Costa Rica is M7.6, in 2012 (11 km ENE of Hojancha, Costa Rica), from USGS.
Does Costa Rica get tsunamis?
Yes - 23 tsunamis since 1579 (most recently 2019) within 300 km, from the NOAA database. The deadliest killed around 90 people.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Costa Rica?
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.