List of Top 10 Countries with the Most Earthquakes

Top 10 Countries with the Most Earthquakes: Countries with the most earthquakes are situated near or exactly above the boundaries of the tectonic plates. Earthquakes, natural phenomena, result in devastating destruction when occur. Although earthquakes can happen anywhere in the world certain areas are more prone to seismic activity.

The top 10 countries with the most earthquakes are Japan, Indonesia, China, Iran, Turkey, the United States (particularly California, Alaska, and the Pacific Northwest), Nepal, Chile, Mexico, and the Philippines.

In this article, we will discover the list of the top 10 countries with the most earthquakes, the frequency and intensity, also the measures taken by them to minimize the loss caused due to the occurrence of earthquakes.

Causes of Earthquakes

Earthquake is caused due to sudden moments in the tectonic plates present underneath the earth’s surface. Also, sudden volcanic eruption underground explosion of shifting of large size landmass result in earthquakes. The intensity of the earthquake is measured through the Richter scale. the intensity of the formation of seismic waves above 7 M is considered to be a high-intensity earthquake. But that doesn’t mean that below 7M, care should not be taken. Even a moderately intense earthquake can cause major damage to humanity.

Top 10 Countries with the Most Earthquakes

The below table gives the list of the top 10 countries with the most earthquakes, along with the frequency and intensity:

Rank	Countries	Frequency	Intensity(M)
1	Indonesia	1781	7.3
2	Mexico	1497	7.6
3	Japan	910	7.5
4	Philipinnes	862	7.6
5	Chile	745	6.8
6	New Guinea	522	7.6
7	Guatemala	513	6.4
8	Peru	490	7.5
9	China	383	6.9
10	Turkey	334	7.8

1. Country With the Most Earthquakes – Indonesia

Indonesia has the highest frequency of earthquakes. Over 1600 events of earthquakes are recorded every year. This nation is located on the Pacific Ring of fire where 90% of earthquakes of the world originate.

• One of the biggest events of earthquake happened in this country was on 26th December 2004 resulted in more than 1 lakh fatalities. The magnitude of the Richter scale reached 9.1. Another devasting earthquake even happened in Java on 21 November with causality of around 350-400
• Every year lots of damages happen in Indonesia. The average range of intensity of earthquake scales between 6.0M to 8.0M.
• To manage the risk indonesia has introduced various approaches like increasing vegetation all around the nation, buildings and houses are made as per the building law and code of Indonesia. Special attention is given to painting the safety rules while constructing any structure.

2. Country With the Second Most Earthquakes – Mexico

Mexico holds the second position on the list. Every year over 1300 events of earthquakes are recorded in Mexico. this nation is located in the subduction zone where the North American continental plate slides above the Cocos Oceanic plate. This leads to the frequent occurrence of earthquakes in Mexico.

• One of the devastating earthquakes occurred in Mexico on 19, September 1985. The magnitude reached 8.0M which resulted in catastrophic damage to the area. Over 2.5 lakh people lost their home. Around 30,000 deaths were recorded in this incident.
• Every year, lots of lives are affected due to earthquakes in Mexico. The average magnitude recorded is 4.0M to 7.0M.
• To deal with the frequent occurrence of earthquakes and damages caused, Mexico has developed several advanced instruments to predict the event. Also, many construction rules are made to ensure the safety of lives and buildings during the event of such a disaster. Various fund systems are created by the Government to support the population and communities affected by the damages.

3. Country With the Third Most Earthquakes – Japan

Japan is situated on the four converging plates that continuously grind off together. Every year over 1000 events of earthquakes are recorded in Japan.

• One of the most devastating events of earthquakes recorded to date occurred on 3rd March 1933. The previous event recorded in 1603 which is also considered to be the deadliest earthquake in the history of Japan. Over 2000 causalities happened in this incident.
• Every year around 250 deaths are recorded due to earthquakes and pr resulted Tsunami. Lots of damage is faced by the nation.
• To cope with the nature’s behavior, Japan has developed advanced building plans which introduced shock absorbers into the newly constructed buildings. Also, every house in Japan has earthquake survival kits. Schools give special training to the kids about the measures to be taken during the event of an earthquake.

4. Country With the Fourth Most Earthquakes – Philipinnes

The Philippines lies on the edge of Ring of fire, so the country witnesses frequent occurrence of earthquake regularly.

• One of the deadliest earthquakes occurred in Philipinnes in 1976. 8000 casualties were recorded in this incident. This is the most disastrous earthquake seen by Philipinnes to date. The Magnitude reached 7.9 damaging lives and properties on a massive scale.
• Every year around 800 earthquakes are recorded with an average magnitude of 6.5M. In 2023, around 1400 events of earthquakes recorded in this country.
• To be prepared for earthquakes, Philipines introduced various mandates and guidelines for construction firms and educational institutes. Every institute religiously includes the session on disaster management in their curriculum. Buildings are constructed keeping the hardship of damage recovery after the disaster.

5. Country With the Fifth Most Earthquakes – Chiles

Chile is located on the Nazca plate which has fast fast-moving tendency. This results in the frequent occurrence of earthquakes in Chile. One-third of the world’s known earthquakes happened in Chile

• The deadliest earthquake occurred in Chile on 22 May 1960 near Valdivia. The highest magnitude recorded in this incident was 9.5M. This resulted in death of around 1655 people as per record and numerous other unrecorded. Even the economy of the nation was impacted due to this earthquake.
• Every year around 900 earthquakes are experienced by the country with average intensity ranging from 4.5M to 7.0M. In 2024, a total number of earthquakes that occurred till 16 Feb is 171.
• Chile has amended its building construction codes. Improved the seismic building codes and also built fine fine-knitted network to communicate and coordinate during the aftermath of disaster.

6. Country With the Sixth Most Earthquakes – Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea is also located on the top of the pacific Ring of Fire, which is the most active seismic zone. Also, big number of volcanoes are present around this area. Hence, causes frequent earthquakes in Papua New Guinea.

• One of the deadliest earthquakes happened in the history of Papua New Guinea on 17 July 1998 with a magnitude of 7.0M. This earthquake triggered the Tsunami and caused more than 2500 deaths.
• Papua New Guinea experiences small earthquakes every day and some large earthquakes quite often. Also, every year severe damaging earthquake is witnessed.
• Papua New Guinea has made various initiatives to reduce the risk of damage caused due to earthquakes. Geoscience Australia collaborating with the government to set up a community-based network to monitor the natural hazards. Also, Using advanced technology Such as Raspberry Shake sensor to monitor the activities of Volcanoes, and regular assessment of Seismic hazards to upgrade the PNG earthquake building guidelines.

7. Country With the Seventh Most Earthquakes – Guatemala

Guatemala is located on one of the most active seismic zone Motagua and Chixoy-Polochic fault complex, which cross the country forming the tectonic boundary between the Caribbean Plate and the North American Plate.

• One of the deadliest earthquakes experienced by Guatemala was 2nd April 1976. which resulted in more than 23,000 deaths and huge material damage.
• Every year this country experiences several earthquake, some of them are small and some of them are surely damaging.
• To control the disaster caused due to earthquake Guatemala has taken various measures such as upgrading technology to get more precise information about the upcoming natural calamities, upgrading standard building codes, and providing training to the people for protecting themselves during the event of disaster.

8. Country With the Eighth Most Earthquakes – Peru

Peru is located in a seismic zone where the North American plate collides with the Nazca plate at a rate of 77km per year. Therefore frequent events of earthquakes are witnessed by the Peruvian people.

• One of the deadliest earthquakes recorded in Peruvian history occurred on 31 May 1970. This incident resulted in the deaths of 70,000 people. Huge material damage was also caused.
• Every year Peru experiences around 500 incidents of earthquakes due to the regular movement of the two tectonic plates.
• Many initiatives and efforts are made by the Peruvian government to reduce the risk and control the damage caused by earthquakes. Some of them are result-based budgeted disaster management programs, Upgrading standards of construction code, also creating financial strategies to protect the families suffered.

9. Country With the Ninth Most Earthquakes – China

China lies on the top of the border of three tectonic plates Indian Ocean Eurasian, and Pacific plate. Due to the continuous movement of these plates China experience frequent earthquakes which are sometimes quite severely damaging.

• On 1st June 1786, China experienced the deadliest earthquake in its history which resulted in more than 1 lakh deaths. In this event, the Dadu River was blocked and when after ten days it was cleared causing a disastrous mudflood killing several lives.
• Every year more than 350 earthquakes around the magnitude of 7.0 to 7.8 are experienced in China, causing deaths and destruction.
• China has developed an advanced alarming technology to warn the communities residing near the seismic zone about the upcoming earthquake. Also, major initiatives are taken by the government to promote the construction of shock absorbers in the buildings and degradation of Building code standards.

10. Country With the Tenth Most Earthquakes – Turkey

Turkey is located on Anatolian plate which is surrounded by Eurasian and Arabian plates. Due to the continuous shift of the Arabian plate toward the Eurasian plate, turkey experiences the shocking trembles of Antolian plate resulting in massive earthquake.

• The deadliest earthquake experienced by Turkey is very recent that is on 2nd June 2023, in Kahramanmaras; Syria region the magnitude reached 7.8M, causing more than 56000 deaths and huge material destruction.
• Every year, Turkey witnesses around 350 events of earthquake which is increasing with time. These occurrences affect the lives and property significantly.
• Turkey is more inclined to establish construction standards to create shock-resistant building and, close knitted network among the communities and government to coordinate during the disaster. Also, the country is taking initiatives to upgrade its information technology to receive early warnings about such disasters.

Summary – Top 10 Countries with the Most Earthquakes

Earthquakes is a natural phenomena that happen due to sudden moments of tectonic plates. In this article, we have found that all the countries with the most earthquakes are located on the border or the top of the borders of the tectonic plates due to which slite movement causes earthquakes. The most active and violent seismic zone in the world is the Pacific Ring of Fire. Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines are situated around this area. This zone is full of active volcanoes and seismic activity. Hence frequent events of earthquakes are recorded in this country. To control the damage, every country has improved and upgraded their technology and also strategies their construction codes to build more resilient buildings and houses. Also, communities are trained through various programs to protect their life during such situations. Although these countries and other countries are said to be prepared for earthquakes, the damage and loss cannot be eliminated.

People Also Read:

• Earthquake – Definition, Causes, Effects, Protection
• Occurrence of Earthquake
• Top 10 Most Active Earthquake Zones in The World
• Top 10 Most Powerful Earthquakes in History

FAQ on Top 10 Countries with the Most Earthquakes

When did the deadliest earthquake occur in the world?

The Indonesia earthquake in 2004,is the deadliest earthquake recorded till date. Approximately 270,000 people were killed and 1,50,000 were homeless.

What is a seismic zone?

The zone where the movement of plates is experienced more significant and occurrence of earthquake is quite frequent, such zone is termed as seismic zone.

Which is the most earthquake-prone area in India?

Rann of Kutch, Region of Kashmir, western and northern part of himalya, North and middle Bihar, Andaman and nicobar are the most earthquake prone areas in India.

How many tectonic plates are there in the world?

There are 7 major tectonic plates and 8 minor tectonic pates identified in the world.

What is the standard unit to measure an earthquake’s magnitude?

The standard unit to measure earthquake’s magnitude is Richter scale denoted by M.