What the record shows for Cyprus
The strongest earthquake on record near Cyprus is a magnitude 6.8 in 1996, centred 36 km SW of Paphos, Cyprus - 30 years ago. The event is catalogued by USGS. See the event record.
Over the last 20 years, USGS has catalogued 273 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater within 300 km of Cyprus - roughly 14 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 15 tsunamis within 300 km of Cyprus between -2000 and 2023. The most significant was in 1033 near Akko, which killed around 70,000 people.
One volcano is catalogued near Cyprus, including Karapinar Field. 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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Cyprus lies near the Cyprus Arc, where the African plate descends beneath the Anatolian plate.
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 Cyprus.
Earthquake risk in Cyprus - FAQ
Is Cyprus at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 14 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 M6.8 in 1996.
What was the biggest earthquake in Cyprus?
The strongest earthquake on record near Cyprus is M6.8, in 1996 (36 km SW of Paphos, Cyprus), from USGS.
Does Cyprus get tsunamis?
Yes - 15 tsunamis since 2000 BC (most recently 2023) within 300 km, from the NOAA database. The deadliest killed around 70,000 people.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Cyprus?
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.