Iceland straddles the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian plates pull apart. This page pulls real records for Iceland: 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 Iceland.
Check Iceland hazard risk in detail
An interactive breakdown of the earthquake, tsunami and volcano risk near Iceland - or search any city or region.
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Earthquake risk in Iceland - FAQ
Is Iceland 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 M7.0 in 1910.
What was the biggest earthquake in Iceland?
The strongest earthquake on record near Iceland is M7.0, in 1910 (79 km N of Norðurþing, Iceland), from USGS.
Does Iceland get tsunamis?
Yes - 7 tsunamis since 1693 (most recently 2014) within 300 km, from the NOAA database.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Iceland?
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.