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Greenland itself is seismically quiet, but the surrounding Greenland Sea ridge is active, and glacial quakes are recorded along the ice margin. This page pulls real records for Greenland: 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 Greenland.
Earthquake risk in Greenland - FAQ
Is Greenland at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 3 quakes a year nearby of magnitude 4+ within 777 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data.
What was the biggest earthquake in Greenland?
We don't have a standout large earthquake on record close to Greenland in the modern catalog, though smaller quakes can still occur.
Does Greenland get tsunamis?
Yes - 9 tsunamis since 1952 (most recently 2023) within 777 km, from the NOAA database. The deadliest killed around 4 people.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Greenland?
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.