Earthquakes in Ecuador
In Ecuador, there are partly large earthquakes with strengths of more than 7.0, which cause damages within a radius of over 100 kilometers. Compared to the size of the country, earthquakes occur with above-average frequency, but rarely with devastating damage.Since 1950, more than 5,700 people died by the direct consequences of earthquakes. There were 1 earthquakes that also caused a subsequent tsunami, which claimed further lives, and cause additional damage.
Other natural hazards in Ecuador:
› Volcanoes
› Tsunamis
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Most recent events
This list includes the strongest earthquakes recorded in or around Ecuador by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in the past 14 days. Whether an event is listed here depends largely on its magnitude, but also on its distance from inhabited areas. All data refer to the local time. This page is updated daily at 10:00 UTC.
- May 31, 4:55 amMagnitude 5.0: 250 km north of Puerto Ayora at a depth of ten km.
Earthquakes in Ecuador since 1950
The strongest earthquake in Ecuador happened on 04/16/2016 in the Near West Coast (Manabi, Esmeraldas) region with a magnitude of 7.8 on the Richter scale. The earthquake also triggered a tsunami, leading to further victims and destruction. | Date | Region | Depth | Magnitude | Deaths | Total damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/18/2023 | Azuay, El Oro, Guayas | 65 km | 6.8 | 14 | |
| 07/14/2022 | Guayas | 73 km | 5.7 | 1 | |
| 03/27/2022 | Esmeraldas | 26 km | 5.8 | 1 | |
| 02/22/2019 | Azuay, Manabi, Morona Sant.; Peru | 145 km | 7.5 | 1 | |
| 01/31/2018 | Pastaza | 21 km | 5.2 | 1 | |
| 12/19/2016 | Esmeraldas | 5.4 | 3 | ||
| 05/18/2016 | Manabi Province | 26 km | 6.9 | 1 | |
| 04/16/2016 | Near West Coast (Manabi, Esmeraldas) | 7.8 | 663 | ||
| 08/12/2014 | Quito | 13 km | 5.1 | 2 | |
| 10/29/2011 | Pomasqui | 49 km | 4.0 | 0 | |
| 08/12/2010 | Manta, Guayaquil, Loja | 15 km | 7.1 | 0 | |
| 10/09/2009 | Tena | 39 km | 5.4 | 0 | |
| 11/16/2007 | Guayaquil | 6.8 | 0 | ||
| 07/13/2007 | Zaruma | 25 km | 4.5 | 0 | |
| 10/24/2005 | Baeza | 33 km | 4.8 | 0 | |
| 01/24/2005 | Near West Coast (Puerto Lopez, Salango) | 26 km | 6.1 | 0 | |
| 08/04/1998 | Bahia De Caraquez, Canoa | 20 km | 7.2 | 3 | |
| 03/28/1996 | Cotopaxi, Pastaza, Tungurahua, Ambato | 49 km | 5.9 | 27 | |
| 10/03/1995 | Quito | 23 km | 7.0 | 2 | |
| 08/11/1990 | Pamasqui, Quito | 54 km | 4.4 | 4 | |
| 06/25/1989 | Esmeraldas, Guayaquil | 32 km | 6.1 | 0 | |
| 09/22/1987 | Ambato, Latacunga, Riobamba | 37 km | 6.2 | 2 | |
| 03/06/1987 | Napo Province, Quito, Tulcan | 44 km | 7.2 | 5000 | |
| 08/18/1980 | W, Guayaquil | 52 km | 5.6 | 8 | |
| 04/09/1976 | Esmeraldos | 47 km | 6.7 | 10 | |
| 12/17/1969 | Sasquisili, Pujili, Latacunga | 4.2 | 0 | ||
| 07/30/1960 | Ecuador | 0.0 | 11 | ||
| 01/16/1956 | Ecuador | 7.3 | 0 | ||
| 08/05/1950 | Ecuador | 6.8 | 0 |
These statistics are based on datas from the National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K. Data have been summarized and translated.
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