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South Korea experiences moderate earthquakes, most notably along faults in its southeastern Gyeongsang region. This page pulls real records for South Korea: 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 South Korea.
Earthquake risk in South Korea - FAQ
Is South Korea at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 1 quake every 2 years nearby of magnitude 4+ within 300 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data.
What was the biggest earthquake in South Korea?
We don't have a standout large earthquake on record close to South Korea in the modern catalog, though smaller quakes can still occur.
Does South Korea get tsunamis?
Yes - 14 tsunamis since 123 (most recently 1926) within 300 km, from the NOAA database. The deadliest killed around 1,000 people.
How do I get earthquake warnings in South Korea?
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.