
Earthquakes in Nicaragua
In Nicaragua, there are partly large earthquakes with strengths of more than 7.0, which cause damages within a radius of over 100 kilometers. Measured by the size of the country, earthquakes occur above average, but not excessively often.Since 1950, more than 10,000 people died by the direct consequences of earthquakes. There were 4 earthquakes that also caused a subsequent tsunami, which claimed further lives, and cause additional damage.
Other natural hazards in Nicaragua:
› Volcanos
› Hurricanes
› The most severe natural disasters worldwide
Back to overview: Nicaragua
Most recent events
This list includes the strongest earthquakes recorded in or around Nicaragua 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 11 am UTC.
- Feb. 4, 10:35 amMagnitude 4.6: 76 km south-southwest of Chirilagua, El Salvador at a depth of 52.81 km.
- Feb. 4, 6:48 amMagnitude 4.7: 145 km southwest of Jiquilillo at a depth of ten km.
- Feb. 3, 11:30 pmMagnitude 4.3: 52 km south-southwest of Jiquilillo at a depth of 61.63 km.
- Feb. 2, 10:58 pmMagnitude 4.2: 105 km southwest of Jiquilillo at a depth of 33.40 km.
- Feb. 2, 6:46 pmMagnitude 4.5: 112 km southwest of Jiquilillo at a depth of ten km.
- Jan. 30, 3:52 amMagnitude 4.9: 76 km south-southwest of Chirilagua, El Salvador at a depth of 58.81 km.
Earthquakes in Nicaragua since 1950

Date | Region | Depth | Magnitude | Deaths | Total damage |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
11/24/2016 | Nicaragua | 6.9 | 0 | ||
09/28/2016 | Leon | 1 km | 5.5 | 1 | |
04/14/2014 | Managua, Ciudad Sandino | 12 km | 5.2 | 0 | |
04/10/2014 | Nagarote, Managua | 6 km | 6.1 | 2 | |
08/27/2012 | Off The Coast | 19 km | 7.3 | 0 | |
03/31/2009 | San Juan Del Rio Coco | 34 km | 4.4 | 0 | |
10/01/2004 | Chinandega, Leon | 1 km | 5.6 | 0 | |
07/06/2000 | Masaya | 20 km | 5.4 | 7 | |
09/02/1992 | Masachapa; Costa Rica | 2 km | 7.7 | 0 | |
12/16/1985 | Rivas, Masaya | 36 km | 6.0 | 0 | |
12/23/1972 | Managua | 42 km | 6.2 | 10000 | |
01/04/1968 | Managua | 4.6 | 0 | ||
05/09/1963 | Leon | 43 km | 5.5 | 0 | |
01/24/1956 | Puerto Samoza | 7.3 | 0 | ||
04/04/1955 | Managua | 6.2 | 0 | ||
08/06/1951 | Gulf Of Fonseca (Jinotega) | 56 km | 5.5 | 0 | |
08/03/1951 | Gulf Of Fonseca (Potosi) | 58 km | 6.0 | 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.