Hazard risk

How dangerous are earthquakes in Ecuador?

The strongest earthquake on record near Ecuador is M8.8 (1906). Real records from USGS, NOAA and the Smithsonian - not guesses.

Strongest on record
M 8.8
1906 - 1906 Ecuador-Colombia Earthquake
Quake rate nearby
~40/yr
M4+ within 300 km
Tsunamis on record
6
since 1797
Volcanoes nearby
24
within 300 km

Ecuador sits on an active subduction zone and a chain of volcanoes in the Andes. This page pulls real records for Ecuador: 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 Ecuador.

Check Ecuador hazard risk in detail

An interactive breakdown of the earthquake, tsunami and volcano risk near Ecuador - or search any city or region.

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Earthquake risk in Ecuador - FAQ

Is Ecuador at risk of earthquakes?

Yes. On average about 40 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 M8.8 in 1906.

What was the biggest earthquake in Ecuador?

The strongest earthquake on record near Ecuador is M8.8, in 1906 (1906 Ecuador-Colombia Earthquake), from USGS.

Does Ecuador get tsunamis?

Yes - 6 tsunamis since 1797 (most recently 2016) within 300 km, from the NOAA database. The deadliest killed around 1,000 people.

How do I get earthquake warnings in Ecuador?

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.

Other hazards in Ecuador

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