What the record shows for Switzerland
The strongest earthquake on record near Switzerland is a magnitude 6.2 in 1946, centred 2 km WNW of Kandersteg, Switzerland - 80 years ago. The event is catalogued by USGS. See the event record.
Over the last 20 years, USGS has catalogued 69 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater within 300 km of Switzerland - roughly 4 a year. 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 13 tsunamis within 300 km of Switzerland between 563 and 1996. The most significant was in 1584 near Switzerland, triggered by an M5.9 earthquake, which killed around 100 people.
Sources: USGS earthquake catalog, NOAA tsunami database, and the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. Figures update as the catalogs are revised.
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Switzerland is the most seismically active country in central Europe, with frequent quakes in the Valais and Basel regions.
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 Switzerland.
Earthquake risk in Switzerland - FAQ
Is Switzerland at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 4 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 M6.2 in 1946.
What was the biggest earthquake in Switzerland?
The strongest earthquake on record near Switzerland is M6.2, in 1946 (2 km WNW of Kandersteg, Switzerland), from USGS.
Does Switzerland get tsunamis?
Yes - 13 tsunamis since 563 (most recently 1996) within 300 km, from the NOAA database. The deadliest killed around 100 people.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Switzerland?
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.