Hazard risk

How dangerous are earthquakes in Norway?

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

Strongest on record
-
no standout event
Quake rate nearby
~1/yr
M4+ within 611 km
Tsunamis on record
28
since 1731
Volcanoes nearby
0
within 611 km

Popular

Norway is the most seismically active country in northern Europe, including activity around Svalbard and Jan Mayen. This page pulls real records for Norway: 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 Norway.

Earthquake risk in Norway - FAQ

Is Norway at risk of earthquakes?

Yes. On average about 1 quakes a year nearby of magnitude 4+ within 611 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data.

What was the biggest earthquake in Norway?

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

Does Norway get tsunamis?

Yes - 28 tsunamis since 1731 (most recently 2014) within 611 km, from the NOAA database. The deadliest killed around 73 people.

How do I get earthquake warnings in Norway?

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 Norway

Earthquake risk in nearby countries