What the record shows for Reunion
Over the last 20 years, USGS has catalogued 2 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater within 300 km of Reunion - about one every 10 years. That rate describes how often the ground moves enough to be recorded, not how often damage occurs; most of these are never felt.
No tsunamis are recorded within 300 km of Reunion in the NOAA NCEI database. A quiet record is not the same as no exposure - a large enough offshore earthquake can reach coastlines that have never been hit in the historical period.
One volcano is catalogued near Reunion, including Fournaise, Piton de la. Volcanic systems generate their own earthquake swarms, which is why activity here can look different from a purely tectonic region.
Sources: USGS earthquake catalog, NOAA tsunami database, and the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. Figures update as the catalogs are revised.
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Reunion is a volcanic hotspot island in the Indian Ocean, home to Piton de la Fournaise, one of the most frequently erupting volcanoes on Earth.
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 Reunion.
Earthquake risk in Reunion - FAQ
Is Reunion at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 1 quake every 10 years nearby of magnitude 4+ within 300 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data.
What was the biggest earthquake in Reunion?
We don't have a standout large earthquake on record close to Reunion in the modern catalog, though smaller quakes can still occur.
Does Reunion get tsunamis?
No tsunamis are recorded within 300 km of Reunion in the NOAA database - though coastlines everywhere carry some residual risk after a very large offshore quake.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Reunion?
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.