Nicaragua’s Pacific coast lies above the Cocos plate subduction zone. This page pulls real records for Nicaragua: 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 Nicaragua.
Check Nicaragua hazard risk in detail
An interactive breakdown of the earthquake, tsunami and volcano risk near Nicaragua - or search any city or region.
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Earthquake risk in Nicaragua - FAQ
Is Nicaragua at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 69 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 M7.7 in 1992.
What was the biggest earthquake in Nicaragua?
The strongest earthquake on record near Nicaragua is M7.7, in 1992 (83 km SSW of Corinto, Nicaragua), from USGS.
Does Nicaragua get tsunamis?
Yes - 7 tsunamis since 1844 (most recently 1997) within 300 km, from the NOAA database.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Nicaragua?
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.