New Mexico has natural seismicity along the Rio Grande rift plus induced earthquakes in the Permian Basin oilfields.
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 New Mexico.
What the record shows for New Mexico
Over the last 20 years, USGS has catalogued 7 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater within 300 km of New Mexico - about one every 3 years. That rate describes how often the ground moves enough to be recorded, not how often damage occurs; most of these are never felt.
No tsunamis are recorded within 300 km of New Mexico in the NOAA NCEI database. A quiet record is not the same as no exposure - a large enough offshore earthquake can reach coastlines that have never been hit in the historical period.
2 volcanoes are catalogued near New Mexico, including Carrizozo, Zuni-Bandera. 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.
Check New Mexico hazard risk in detail
An interactive breakdown of the earthquake, tsunami and volcano risk in New Mexico - or search any city or region.
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Earthquake risk in New Mexico - FAQ
Is New Mexico at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 1 quake every 3 years nearby of magnitude 4+ within 300 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data.
What was the biggest earthquake in New Mexico?
We don't have a standout large earthquake on record close to New Mexico in the modern catalog, though smaller quakes can still occur.
Does New Mexico get tsunamis?
No tsunamis are recorded within 300 km of New Mexico in the NOAA database - though coastal states can still be exposed after a very large offshore quake.
How do I get earthquake warnings in New Mexico?
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.