Hazard risk

How dangerous are earthquakes in Sri Lanka?

Earthquake, tsunami and volcano risk for Sri Lanka. Real records from USGS, NOAA and the Smithsonian - not guesses.

Strongest on record
-
no standout event
Quake rate nearby
1 / 10 yr
M4+ within 300 km
Tsunamis on record
1
since 1882
Volcanoes nearby
0
within 300 km

Popular

Sri Lanka is relatively stable but experiences occasional minor earthquakes and felt offshore activity. This page pulls real records for Sri Lanka: 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 Sri Lanka.

Earthquake risk in Sri Lanka - FAQ

Is Sri Lanka 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 Sri Lanka?

We don't have a standout large earthquake on record close to Sri Lanka in the modern catalog, though smaller quakes can still occur.

Does Sri Lanka get tsunamis?

Yes - 1 tsunami since 1882 (most recently 1882) within 300 km, from the NOAA database.

How do I get earthquake warnings in Sri Lanka?

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.

Other hazards in Sri Lanka

Earthquake risk in nearby countries