What the record shows for South Korea
Over the last 20 years, USGS has catalogued 13 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater within 300 km of South Korea - about one every 2 years. That rate describes how often the ground moves enough to be recorded, not how often damage occurs; most of these are never felt.
The NOAA NCEI database records 14 tsunamis within 300 km of South Korea between 123 and 1926. The most significant was in 1700 near Tsushima, Nagasaki Prefecture, triggered by an M7.0 earthquake, which killed around 1,000 people.
One volcano is catalogued near South Korea, including Ch'uga-ryong. 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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South Korea experiences moderate earthquakes, most notably along faults in its southeastern Gyeongsang region.
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.