Country profile · USGS ComCat
Earthquakes in Ecuador
Ecuador has catalogued 1,135 M4+ earthquakes since 2005 (ranked 32nd of 187 countries), with the strongest reaching magnitude M7.8.
Ecuador ranks 32nd of 187 countries by catalogued seismic activity - a highly seismically active country, averaging about 54 M4+ events a year alongside 93 significant M6+ earthquakes since 1900. Its M6+ record runs from 1907 to 2025, peaking in 1942.
- 1,135
- M4+ events (since 2005)
- 93
- Major M6+ (since 1900)
- M7.8
- Strongest
- ~54
- M4+ per year
The verdict
Ecuador is more seismically active than most places tracked here, with 1,135 M4+ earthquakes logged since 2005 and 93 major M6+ events since 1900, the strongest reaching magnitude 7.8.
- 1942
- busiest year (12 major events)
- 39 km
- average recorded event depth
- 85%
- of events are shallow (<70 km, the most damaging kind)
Average catalogued magnitude is 4.6 - most events are moderate M4-5 tremors that are felt but rarely cause damage. On the M4+ activity ladder Myanmar sits immediately above at 1,146 events and Canada sits immediately below at 1,033.
ComCat magnitude tape
Event tape ECUADOR · Ecuador M4+ · 32nd/187
Ecuador · 1,135 M4+ · max M7.8 · 93 M6+
- SHAL 1,135
- PCT 32nd/187
- VS-PEER M7.8
- COMCAT 93
- TAPE near Myanmar
- EPIC 85% shallow
Stamps derive from this country's USGS ComCat row (M4+ book, rank, peak magnitude, M6+ record, ladder neighbour, depth/peak year), not a hazard forecast. PlainQuake is informational only - not professional advice and not a substitute for official USGS guidance. See our disclaimer. Verify with USGS ComCat → · Read with methodology → · How earthquakes are measured → · Reading earthquake data → · All country catalog rows → · Countries ranked →
Observed impact record
What ComCat observed after earthquakes in Ecuador
USGS recorded Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) for 62 events in this catalogued record; their average observed intensity was MMI 6.4. These are only events with an observation, not an estimate of future shaking or a safety rating.
- MMI observations
- 62
- Average observed MMI
- 6.4
- PAGER alerts / tsunami flags
- 14 / 5
Source: USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat) GeoJSON impact fields. Missing MMI, alert, and tsunami values remain unreported rather than being treated as zero.
Where Ecuador sits in the catalog
Rank 32nd of 187 tracked countries (83th percentile by M4+ count since 2005). On the M4+ activity ladder Myanmar sits immediately above at 1,146 events and Canada sits immediately below at 1,033.
Ecuador's M4+ count vs. every tracked country
Total catalogued M4+ events since 2005, USGS ComCat
1,135 Top 17% higher than 83% of 187 countries
Each bar is a 500-wide band; taller bars hold more countries. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat) · 2005-present
Major (M6+) earthquakes in Ecuador by year
Count of significant (magnitude 6.0+) events catalogued each year
- 1998 1
1998: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 1999 2
1999: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2000 1
2000: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2005
2005: 5 major (M6+) events
5
- 2007 1
2007: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2011 1
2011: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2016
2016: 7 major (M6+) events
7
- 2017 2
2017: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2018 1
2018: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2019 2
2019: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2023 1
2023: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2025 1
2025: 1 major (M6+) events
1
What this shows Ecuador's most active year for major earthquakes was 1942 (12 M6+ events). Major-quake counts are irregular, they track the episodic release of tectonic stress, not a smooth trend.
21 of 1,135 catalogued M4+ events since 2005 reached M6.0 or higher.
Magnitude distribution of major events
Breakdown of the 93 significant (M6+) earthquakes on record for Ecuador.
M7.0-7.9
8
8.6%
M6.0-6.9
85
91.4%
Depth of major earthquakes
Hypocentral depth of the 93 M6+ events, shallow quakes shake the surface hardest. Average depth: 39 km.
Shallow (<70 km)
79
84.9% of events
Intermediate (70–300 km)
14
15.1% of events
Deep (>300 km)
0
0.0% of events
Strongest earthquakes in Ecuador
The 10 most powerful events on record (USGS, since 1900).
| Mag | Location | Depth | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.8 | 27 km SSE of Muisne, Ecuador | 20.6 km | Apr 16, 2016 |
| 7.8 | 12 km SE of Pedernales, Ecuador | 20.0 km | May 14, 1942 |
| 7.7 | 56 km NW of Valdez, Ecuador | 24.0 km | Dec 12, 1979 |
| 7.5 | 115 km ESE of Palora, Ecuador | 145.0 km | Feb 22, 2019 |
| 7.4 | 98 km ESE of Sucúa, Ecuador | 113.3 km | Jul 27, 1971 |
| 7.2 | 3 km E of Bahía de Caráquez, Ecuador | 33.0 km | Aug 4, 1998 |
| 7.2 | 29 km SSE of Pimampiro, Ecuador | 10.0 km | Mar 6, 1987 |
| 7.0 | 45 km SE of Sucúa, Ecuador | 24.4 km | Oct 3, 1995 |
| 7.0 | 7 km NNE of Tosagua, Ecuador | 20.0 km | Jan 16, 1956 |
| 6.9 | 24 km NW of Rosa Zarate, Ecuador | 29.9 km | May 18, 2016 |
Significant earthquake record (93 events)
Every catalogued magnitude-6.0-and-above earthquake in Ecuador since 1900, most recent first.
| Mag | Location | Depth | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.3 | 19 km NE of Esmeraldas, Ecuador | 18.0 km | Apr 25, 2025 |
| 6.8 | 14 km NNW of Baláo, Ecuador | 68.0 km | Mar 18, 2023 |
| 6.2 | 31 km N of Santa Elena, Ecuador | 18.0 km | Mar 31, 2019 |
| 7.5 | 115 km ESE of Palora, Ecuador | 145.0 km | Feb 22, 2019 |
| 6.2 | 8 km SE of Alausí, Ecuador | 110.5 km | Sep 7, 2018 |
| 6.1 | 18 km NE of Bahía de Caráquez, Ecuador | 17.0 km | Dec 3, 2017 |
| 6.0 | 35 km NNW of Bahía de Caráquez, Ecuador | 13.0 km | Jun 30, 2017 |
| 6.3 | 33 km NNW of Rosa Zarate, Ecuador | 21.0 km | Jul 11, 2016 |
| 6.9 | 24 km NW of Rosa Zarate, Ecuador | 29.9 km | May 18, 2016 |
| 6.7 | 32 km SE of Muisne, Ecuador | 16.0 km | May 18, 2016 |
| 6.0 | 34 km NNW of Bahía de Caráquez, Ecuador | 10.0 km | Apr 22, 2016 |
| 6.0 | 10 km N of Muisne, Ecuador | 10.0 km | Apr 20, 2016 |
| 6.2 | 21 km W of Muisne, Ecuador | 14.0 km | Apr 20, 2016 |
| 7.8 | 27 km SSE of Muisne, Ecuador | 20.6 km | Apr 16, 2016 |
| 6.0 | 87 km NW of Salinas, Ecuador | 26.6 km | Nov 17, 2011 |
| 6.8 | 30 km E of Macas, Ecuador | 122.9 km | Nov 16, 2007 |
| 6.1 | 54 km SE of Tena, Ecuador | 192.9 km | Dec 23, 2005 |
| 6.2 | 51 km WSW of Manta, Ecuador | 10.0 km | Jan 28, 2005 |
| 6.1 | 90 km WSW of Manta, Ecuador | 10.0 km | Jan 28, 2005 |
| 6.1 | 23 km W of Jipijapa, Ecuador | 16.9 km | Jan 24, 2005 |
| 6.0 | 21 km WSW of Montecristi, Ecuador | 10.0 km | Jan 21, 2005 |
| 6.4 | 45 km NNW of Bahía de Caráquez, Ecuador | 22.9 km | Sep 28, 2000 |
| 6.3 | 43 km SE of Tena, Ecuador | 196.4 km | Aug 28, 1999 |
| 6.0 | 21 km ENE of Palora, Ecuador | 172.6 km | Apr 26, 1999 |
| 7.2 | 3 km E of Bahía de Caráquez, Ecuador | 33.0 km | Aug 4, 1998 |
| 6.3 | 24 km NNW of Salinas, Ecuador | 33.0 km | Aug 5, 1996 |
| 6.0 | 9 km SSW of Pujilí, Ecuador | 33.0 km | Mar 28, 1996 |
| 6.5 | 50 km SE of Sucúa, Ecuador | 16.7 km | Oct 3, 1995 |
| 7.0 | 45 km SE of Sucúa, Ecuador | 24.4 km | Oct 3, 1995 |
| 6.6 | 34 km SW of Pedernales, Ecuador | 14.2 km | Sep 2, 1990 |
| 6.3 | 19 km NNE of Esmeraldas, Ecuador | 15.1 km | Jun 25, 1989 |
| 6.2 | 15 km ENE of Puyo, Ecuador | 170.2 km | Sep 15, 1988 |
| 6.0 | 36 km WSW of Tena, Ecuador | 10.0 km | Sep 22, 1987 |
| 6.4 | 26 km W of Tena, Ecuador | 10.0 km | Sep 22, 1987 |
| 6.0 | 24 km E of Cayambe, Ecuador | 8.5 km | Mar 6, 1987 |
| 7.2 | 29 km SSE of Pimampiro, Ecuador | 10.0 km | Mar 6, 1987 |
| 6.4 | 49 km SE of Pimampiro, Ecuador | 14.1 km | Mar 6, 1987 |
| 6.6 | 21 km SE of Muisne, Ecuador | 54.9 km | Nov 22, 1983 |
| 6.6 | 122 km SSE of Boca Suno, Ecuador | 195.0 km | Nov 18, 1982 |
| 6.1 | 25 km NNW of Baláo, Ecuador | 70.0 km | Aug 26, 1982 |
| 6.4 | 37 km NNE of Salinas, Ecuador | 33.0 km | May 6, 1981 |
| 7.7 | 56 km NW of Valdez, Ecuador | 24.0 km | Dec 12, 1979 |
| 6.7 | 25 km SW of Esmeraldas, Ecuador | 9.0 km | Apr 9, 1976 |
| 7.4 | 98 km ESE of Sucúa, Ecuador | 113.3 km | Jul 27, 1971 |
| 6.7 | 37 km E of Palora, Ecuador | 171.2 km | May 17, 1971 |
| 6.0 | 7 km WNW of Quito, Ecuador | 118.9 km | Mar 2, 1967 |
| 6.5 | 58 km E of Puyo, Ecuador | 185.9 km | Sep 17, 1965 |
| 6.2 | 10 km SW of Tosagua, Ecuador | 25.0 km | May 19, 1964 |
| 6.2 | 98 km E of Gualaquiza, Ecuador | 25.0 km | Nov 3, 1963 |
| 6.6 | 55 km ENE of Macas, Ecuador | 20.0 km | May 10, 1963 |
| 6.6 | 119 km E of Macas, Ecuador | 142.1 km | Jul 28, 1961 |
| 6.2 | 80 km ENE of Gualaquiza, Ecuador | 45.8 km | May 25, 1958 |
| 6.1 | 9 km SE of Esmeraldas, Ecuador | 25.0 km | Apr 15, 1958 |
| 6.8 | 30 km SE of Esmeraldas, Ecuador | 25.0 km | Apr 14, 1958 |
| 6.3 | 28 km NW of Valdez, Ecuador | 25.0 km | Feb 1, 1958 |
| 6.3 | 48 km NW of Valdez, Ecuador | 25.0 km | Feb 1, 1958 |
| 6.9 | 51 km NW of Valdez, Ecuador | 15.0 km | Feb 1, 1958 |
| 6.8 | 24 km NNE of Esmeraldas, Ecuador | 27.5 km | Jan 19, 1958 |
| 6.3 | 32 km N of Salinas, Ecuador | 15.0 km | Aug 26, 1957 |
| 7.0 | 7 km NNE of Tosagua, Ecuador | 20.0 km | Jan 16, 1956 |
| 6.0 | 14 km W of Cotacachi, Ecuador | 15.0 km | Jul 20, 1955 |
| 6.5 | 42 km SE of Cayambe, Ecuador | 15.0 km | May 11, 1955 |
| 6.3 | Galapagos Islands, Ecuador | 15.0 km | Jun 4, 1954 |
| 6.2 | 40 km NW of Bahía de Caráquez, Ecuador | 20.0 km | Apr 1, 1953 |
| 6.1 | 56 km NW of Bahía de Caráquez, Ecuador | 10.0 km | Apr 1, 1953 |
| 6.5 | 22 km NE of Baños, Ecuador | 15.0 km | Aug 5, 1949 |
| 6.2 | Galapagos Islands, Ecuador region | 15.0 km | May 8, 1947 |
| 6.6 | 61 km WSW of Jipijapa, Ecuador | 15.0 km | Mar 29, 1946 |
| 6.6 | 45 km ESE of Esmeraldas, Ecuador | 20.0 km | Oct 23, 1944 |
| 6.2 | 19 km SSW of Lomas de Sargentillo, Ecuador | 58.7 km | Jan 30, 1943 |
| 6.4 | 129 km WNW of Manta, Ecuador | 15.0 km | Nov 19, 1942 |
| 6.5 | 113 km WNW of Manta, Ecuador | 15.0 km | Nov 19, 1942 |
| 6.4 | 68 km W of Pedernales, Ecuador | 15.0 km | Nov 12, 1942 |
| 6.6 | 29 km SE of Pedernales, Ecuador | 15.0 km | Jul 12, 1942 |
| 6.3 | 23 km NW of Muisne, Ecuador | 15.0 km | Jul 8, 1942 |
| 6.2 | 27 km NW of Muisne, Ecuador | 15.0 km | Jul 7, 1942 |
| 6.1 | 49 km W of Muisne, Ecuador | 15.0 km | Jul 4, 1942 |
| 6.2 | 70 km W of Muisne, Ecuador | 15.0 km | Jun 16, 1942 |
| 6.3 | 128 km ESE of Palora, Ecuador | 15.0 km | Jun 12, 1942 |
| 6.4 | 27 km WSW of Muisne, Ecuador | 15.0 km | May 17, 1942 |
| 6.3 | 6 km SSW of Muisne, Ecuador | 15.0 km | May 15, 1942 |
| 7.8 | 12 km SE of Pedernales, Ecuador | 20.0 km | May 14, 1942 |
| 6.0 | 219 km N of Puerto Ayora, Ecuador | 15.0 km | Aug 26, 1940 |
| 6.3 | 74 km WSW of Jipijapa, Ecuador | 15.0 km | Feb 8, 1938 |
| 6.3 | 27 km WSW of Jipijapa, Ecuador | 15.0 km | Feb 8, 1938 |
| 6.8 | 46 km SW of Paján, Ecuador | 15.0 km | Oct 2, 1933 |
| 6.2 | 33 km W of Ambato, Ecuador | 15.0 km | Jul 22, 1924 |
| 6.3 | 28 km WNW of El Ángel, Ecuador | 10.0 km | Dec 14, 1923 |
| 6.2 | 26 km SE of Santa Elena, Ecuador | 15.0 km | Mar 29, 1917 |
| 6.8 | 13 km N of Muisne, Ecuador | 15.0 km | Jun 30, 1916 |
| 6.5 | 197 km NW of Manta, Ecuador | 15.0 km | Nov 18, 1914 |
| 6.8 | 287 km N of Puerto Villamil, Ecuador | 10.0 km | Feb 26, 1909 |
| 6.6 | 67 km NNW of Esmeraldas, Ecuador | 15.0 km | Jun 1, 1907 |
Other countries in this catalog sample
A Ecuador-keyed shuffle of the full 186-country roster, not the six nearest by count.
Peak-magnitude sample from the same roster
A second Ecuador-keyed shuffle of countries with a recorded max magnitude.
Showing 6 of 186 countries with a recorded max magnitude.
According to the US Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program, PlainQuake's figures are rendered directly from 317,293 recorded M4+ earthquakes and 14,444 significant M6+ events (USGS ComCat, 2005-present) -- no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-08-26.