
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 10000 people died by direct consequences of earthquakes. 4 earthquakes also caused a subsequent tsunami, which claimed further lifes and damages.
Other natural hazards in Nicaragua:
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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 11am UTC.- May 7, 6:25 pmMagnitude 5.0: 13 km north-northwest of Golfito, Costa Rica at a depth of 18.29 km.
- May 7, 6:03 pmMagnitude 4.3: 56 km south-southwest of Masachapa at a depth of 21.72 km.
- May 5, 10:47 pmMagnitude 4.1: 16 km west of Jacó, Costa Rica at a depth of 22.77 km.
- May 16, 12:40 amMagnitude 4.6: 79 km southwest of Masachapa at a depth of 35 km.
- May 16, 10:13 amMagnitude 4.2: 185 km south-southwest of Puerto El Triunfo, El Salvador at a depth of 10 km.
- May 13, 4:27 pmMagnitude 3.4: 3 km east-northeast of Ticuantepe at a depth of 5 km.
- May 11, 1:22 amMagnitude 3.8: 18 km west-northwest of San Isidro, Costa Rica at a depth of 10 km.
- May 10, 9:16 amMagnitude 4.2: 64 km north-northeast of Savannah Bight, Honduras at a depth of 10 km.
- May 10, 12:35 amMagnitude 4.7: 102 km south of La Libertad, El Salvador at a depth of 44.36 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. Several data have been summarized and translated.