Rwanda sits in the seismically active western branch of the East African Rift. This page pulls real records for Rwanda: 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 Rwanda.
Check Rwanda hazard risk in detail
An interactive breakdown of the earthquake, tsunami and volcano risk near Rwanda - or search any city or region.
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Earthquake risk in Rwanda - FAQ
Is Rwanda at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 8 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 M6.5 in 1960.
What was the biggest earthquake in Rwanda?
The strongest earthquake on record near Rwanda is M6.5, in 1960 (19 km SW of Uvira, Democratic Republic of the Congo), from USGS.
Does Rwanda get tsunamis?
Yes - 1 tsunami since 1938 (most recently 1938) within 300 km, from the NOAA database.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Rwanda?
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.