Hazard risk

How dangerous are earthquakes in Malaysia?

Earthquake, tsunami and volcano risk for Malaysia. Real records from USGS, NOAA and the Smithsonian - not guesses.

Strongest on record
-
no standout event
Quake rate nearby
1 / 5 yr
M4+ within 444 km
Tsunamis on record
0
within 444 km
Volcanoes nearby
0
within 444 km

East Malaysia, especially Sabah on Borneo, has active faults that produce damaging earthquakes. This page pulls real records for Malaysia: 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 Malaysia.

Check Malaysia hazard risk in detail

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

Popular

Earthquake risk in Malaysia - FAQ

Is Malaysia at risk of earthquakes?

Yes. On average about 1 quake every 5 years nearby of magnitude 4+ within 444 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data.

What was the biggest earthquake in Malaysia?

We don't have a standout large earthquake on record close to Malaysia in the modern catalog, though smaller quakes can still occur.

Does Malaysia get tsunamis?

No tsunamis are recorded within 444 km of Malaysia in the NOAA database - though coastlines everywhere carry some residual risk after a very large offshore quake.

How do I get earthquake warnings in Malaysia?

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 Malaysia

Earthquake risk in nearby countries