Samoa lies near the northern end of the highly active Tonga–Kermadec subduction zone. This page pulls real records for Samoa: 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 Samoa.
Check Samoa hazard risk in detail
An interactive breakdown of the earthquake, tsunami and volcano risk near Samoa - or search any city or region.
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Earthquake risk in Samoa - FAQ
Is Samoa at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 97 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 M8.1 in 2009.
What was the biggest earthquake in Samoa?
The strongest earthquake on record near Samoa is M8.1, in 2009 (2009 Samoa Earthquake), from USGS.
Does Samoa get tsunamis?
Yes - 16 tsunamis since 1866 (most recently 2009) within 300 km, from the NOAA database. The deadliest killed around 192 people.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Samoa?
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.