What the record shows for Trinidad and Tobago
The strongest earthquake on record near Trinidad and Tobago is a magnitude 7.3 in 2018, centred 40 km ENE of Carúpano, Venezuela - 8 years ago. The event is catalogued by USGS. See the event record.
Over the last 20 years, USGS has catalogued 371 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater within 300 km of Trinidad and Tobago - roughly 19 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 11 tsunamis within 300 km of Trinidad and Tobago between 1498 and 2018. The most significant was in 1997 near Cariaco-Cumana, triggered by an M7.0 earthquake, which killed around 81 people.
3 volcanoes are catalogued near Trinidad and Tobago, including Piparo, St. Catherine, Kick 'em Jenny. 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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Trinidad and Tobago lies on the active boundary between the Caribbean and South American plates.
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 Trinidad and Tobago.
Earthquake risk in Trinidad and Tobago - FAQ
Is Trinidad and Tobago at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 19 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 M7.3 in 2018.
What was the biggest earthquake in Trinidad and Tobago?
The strongest earthquake on record near Trinidad and Tobago is M7.3, in 2018 (40 km ENE of Carúpano, Venezuela), from USGS.
Does Trinidad and Tobago get tsunamis?
Yes - 11 tsunamis since 1498 (most recently 2018) within 300 km, from the NOAA database. The deadliest killed around 81 people.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Trinidad and Tobago?
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.