Country profile · USGS ComCat
Earthquakes in Guatemala
Guatemala has catalogued 1,971 M4+ earthquakes since 2005 (ranked 24th of 187 countries), with the strongest reaching magnitude M7.7.
Guatemala ranks 24th of 187 countries by catalogued seismic activity - a highly seismically active country, averaging about 94 M4+ events a year alongside 77 significant M6+ earthquakes since 1900. Its M6+ record runs from 1902 to 2024, peaking in 1929.
- 1,971
- M4+ events (since 2005)
- 77
- Major M6+ (since 1900)
- M7.7
- Strongest
- ~94
- M4+ per year
The verdict
Guatemala is more seismically active than most places tracked here, with 1,971 M4+ earthquakes logged since 2005 and 77 major M6+ events since 1900, the strongest reaching magnitude 7.7.
- 1929
- busiest year (3 major events)
- 50 km
- average recorded event depth
- 87%
- of events are shallow (<70 km, the most damaging kind)
Average catalogued magnitude is 4.4 - most events are moderate M4-5 tremors that are felt but rarely cause damage. On the M4+ activity ladder Turkey sits immediately above at 2,252 events and New Caledonia sits immediately below at 1,921.
USGS ComCat event tape
Event tape GUATEMALA · Guatemala M4+ · 24th/187
Guatemala · 1,971 M4+ · max M7.7 · 77 M6+
- VS-PEER 1,971
- COMCAT 24th/187
- TAPE M7.7
- EPIC 77
- YOY near Turkey
- BAND 87% 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 Guatemala
USGS recorded Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) for 58 events in this catalogued record; their average observed intensity was MMI 5.6. These are only events with an observation, not an estimate of future shaking or a safety rating.
- MMI observations
- 58
- Average observed MMI
- 5.6
- PAGER alerts / tsunami flags
- 10 / 2
Source: USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat) GeoJSON impact fields. Missing MMI, alert, and tsunami values remain unreported rather than being treated as zero.
Where Guatemala sits in the catalog
Rank 24th of 187 tracked countries (87th percentile by M4+ count since 2005). On the M4+ activity ladder Turkey sits immediately above at 2,252 events and New Caledonia sits immediately below at 1,921.
- Turkey - next more active (2,252 M4+)
- New Caledonia - next less active (1,921 M4+)
Guatemala's M4+ count vs. every tracked country
Total catalogued M4+ events since 2005, USGS ComCat
1,971 Top 13% higher than 87% 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 Guatemala by year
Count of significant (magnitude 6.0+) events catalogued each year
- 2006
2006: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2007
2007: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2008
2008: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2009
2009: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2012
2012: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2013
2013: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2014
2014: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2016
2016: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2017
2017: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2022
2022: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2023
2023: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2024
2024: 2 major (M6+) events
2
What this shows Guatemala's most active year for major earthquakes was 1929 (3 M6+ events). Major-quake counts are irregular, they track the episodic release of tectonic stress, not a smooth trend.
How Guatemala earthquake activity changed recently
| Year | M4+ events | YoY change | Global YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | +100.0% | -12.6% |
| 2023 | 1 | 0.0% | +3.0% |
Guatemala's M4+ activity rose faster than the global average in 2024: +100.0% locally vs -12.6% globally, a 112.6-point gap.
Source: USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat). M4+ = magnitude 4.0 or greater. YoY = year-on-year change. Global column uses the worldwide total from the same catalog.
16 of 1,971 catalogued M4+ events since 2005 reached M6.0 or higher.
Magnitude distribution of major events
Breakdown of the 77 significant (M6+) earthquakes on record for Guatemala.
M7.0-7.9
7
9.1%
M6.0-6.9
70
90.9%
Depth of major earthquakes
Hypocentral depth of the 77 M6+ events, shallow quakes shake the surface hardest. Average depth: 50 km.
Shallow (<70 km)
67
87.0% of events
Intermediate (70–300 km)
10
13.0% of events
Deep (>300 km)
0
0.0% of events
Strongest earthquakes in Guatemala
The 10 most powerful events on record (USGS, since 1900).
| Mag | Location | Depth | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.7 | 26 km SSW of La Gomera, Guatemala | 35.0 km | Aug 6, 1942 |
| 7.5 | 7 km N of Los Amates, Guatemala | 5.0 km | Feb 4, 1976 |
| 7.5 | Near Quetzaltenango, Guatemala | 0.0 km | Apr 19, 1902 |
| 7.4 | 33 km S of Champerico, Guatemala | 24.0 km | Nov 7, 2012 |
| 7.2 | 1 km NNW of Champerico, Guatemala | 65.3 km | Oct 23, 1950 |
| 7.1 | 32 km NE of Chajul, Guatemala | 15.0 km | Feb 4, 1921 |
| 7.0 | 25 km S of Champerico, Guatemala | 67.1 km | Dec 2, 1983 |
| 7.0 | 31 km SE of Champerico, Guatemala | 35.0 km | Apr 17, 1919 |
| 6.9 | 2 km SSW of San Pablo, Guatemala | 93.0 km | Jun 14, 2017 |
| 6.8 | 17 km NE of Champerico, Guatemala | 45.0 km | Dec 5, 1939 |
Significant earthquake record (77 events)
Every catalogued magnitude-6.0-and-above earthquake in Guatemala since 1900, most recent first.
| Mag | Location | Depth | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.2 | 6 km E of Jalapa, Guatemala | 272.0 km | Jul 21, 2024 |
| 6.1 | 15 km W of Taxisco, Guatemala | 90.0 km | Jan 27, 2024 |
| 6.4 | 8 km SE of Canillá, Guatemala | 252.0 km | May 17, 2023 |
| 6.2 | 12 km WSW of Nueva Concepción, Guatemala | 60.0 km | Feb 16, 2022 |
| 6.8 | 28 km SW of Puerto San José, Guatemala | 38.1 km | Jun 22, 2017 |
| 6.9 | 2 km SSW of San Pablo, Guatemala | 93.0 km | Jun 14, 2017 |
| 6.1 | 110 km SSW of Champerico, Guatemala | 22.4 km | Apr 15, 2016 |
| 6.1 | 61 km SSW of Nueva Concepción, Guatemala | 32.0 km | Dec 7, 2014 |
| 6.2 | 3 km NW of Fraijanes, Guatemala | 189.0 km | Mar 25, 2013 |
| 6.5 | 32 km SW of Champerico, Guatemala | 20.0 km | Nov 11, 2012 |
| 7.4 | 33 km S of Champerico, Guatemala | 24.0 km | Nov 7, 2012 |
| 6.3 | 5 km S of San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala | 108.0 km | May 3, 2009 |
| 6.1 | 42 km SSE of Iztapa, Guatemala | 33.0 km | Apr 15, 2008 |
| 6.7 | 43 km SSE of Iztapa, Guatemala | 23.0 km | Jun 13, 2007 |
| 6.0 | 19 km WSW of La Gomera, Guatemala | 61.2 km | Dec 3, 2006 |
| 6.1 | 10 km NE of San Bartolo, Guatemala | 197.4 km | Mar 17, 2005 |
| 6.0 | 5 km SSW of La Gomera, Guatemala | 100.0 km | Aug 25, 2003 |
| 6.5 | 33 km S of Puerto San José, Guatemala | 24.0 km | Jan 21, 2003 |
| 6.0 | 40 km SSW of La Gomera, Guatemala | 33.0 km | Nov 9, 2002 |
| 6.3 | 6 km ESE of Puerto San José, Guatemala | 33.0 km | Jun 6, 1999 |
| 6.1 | 9 km SSW of Champerico, Guatemala | 39.2 km | May 8, 1999 |
| 6.3 | 28 km S of Iztapa, Guatemala | 33.0 km | May 10, 1998 |
| 6.1 | 9 km SSW of San José El Ídolo, Guatemala | 62.8 km | Mar 3, 1998 |
| 6.6 | 10 km SSW of San José El Ídolo, Guatemala | 33.0 km | Jan 10, 1998 |
| 6.1 | 28 km SSW of Pasaco, Guatemala | 59.3 km | Dec 22, 1997 |
| 6.0 | 33 km S of Iztapa, Guatemala | 80.5 km | Dec 4, 1997 |
| 6.0 | 3 km E of Pajapita, Guatemala | 100.1 km | Apr 10, 1994 |
| 6.0 | 27 km S of Taxisco, Guatemala | 68.2 km | Sep 12, 1993 |
| 6.0 | 50 km S of Iztapa, Guatemala | 67.1 km | Sep 28, 1992 |
| 6.2 | 4 km SE of Patzún, Guatemala | 5.0 km | Sep 18, 1991 |
| 6.6 | 20 km S of Taxisco, Guatemala | 68.5 km | Nov 3, 1988 |
| 7.0 | 25 km S of Champerico, Guatemala | 67.1 km | Dec 2, 1983 |
| 6.5 | 18 km W of Champerico, Guatemala | 64.8 km | Apr 6, 1982 |
| 6.4 | 19 km NNE of Puerto Barrios, Guatemala | 22.0 km | Aug 9, 1980 |
| 6.6 | 17 km S of Iztapa, Guatemala | 65.0 km | Oct 27, 1979 |
| 6.8 | 12 km SSW of Puerto San José, Guatemala | 58.0 km | Oct 27, 1979 |
| 7.5 | 7 km N of Los Amates, Guatemala | 5.0 km | Feb 4, 1976 |
| 6.1 | 20 km SSE of Champerico, Guatemala | 39.0 km | Dec 31, 1974 |
| 6.1 | 8 km SW of La Gomera, Guatemala | 60.0 km | Jan 22, 1972 |
| 6.0 | 119 km SSW of Champerico, Guatemala | 25.0 km | Aug 20, 1971 |
| 6.0 | 9 km NE of La Gomera, Guatemala | 65.0 km | Apr 21, 1969 |
| 6.6 | 5 km NNW of Champerico, Guatemala | 64.7 km | Dec 10, 1966 |
| 6.2 | 14 km WSW of Retalhuleu, Guatemala | 65.0 km | Aug 18, 1966 |
| 6.4 | 23 km S of Puerto San José, Guatemala | 44.1 km | Sep 3, 1955 |
| 6.7 | 31 km SSW of Puerto San José, Guatemala | 44.8 km | Aug 28, 1955 |
| 6.1 | 7 km S of Guazacapán, Guatemala | 66.0 km | Oct 21, 1954 |
| 6.8 | 95 km SSW of Champerico, Guatemala | 25.0 km | Nov 17, 1953 |
| 6.2 | 26 km ESE of Champerico, Guatemala | 65.0 km | Oct 23, 1950 |
| 7.2 | 1 km NNW of Champerico, Guatemala | 65.3 km | Oct 23, 1950 |
| 6.0 | 58 km SSW of La Gomera, Guatemala | 35.0 km | Apr 15, 1950 |
| 6.1 | 7 km S of Santa Bárbara, Guatemala | 44.1 km | Jul 16, 1948 |
| 6.3 | 13 km SE of Río Bravo, Guatemala | 41.4 km | Jul 16, 1948 |
| 6.1 | 12 km SSW of La Gomera, Guatemala | 15.0 km | Aug 8, 1942 |
| 7.7 | 26 km SSW of La Gomera, Guatemala | 35.0 km | Aug 6, 1942 |
| 6.4 | 35 km S of Nueva Concepción, Guatemala | 15.0 km | Mar 1, 1942 |
| 6.8 | 29 km SSW of Nueva Concepción, Guatemala | 35.0 km | Jul 27, 1940 |
| 6.8 | 17 km NE of Champerico, Guatemala | 45.0 km | Dec 5, 1939 |
| 6.2 | 107 km SSW of Puerto San José, Guatemala | 15.0 km | Jan 20, 1939 |
| 6.4 | 6 km SW of Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala | 15.0 km | Sep 15, 1937 |
| 6.5 | 21 km SE of Iztapa, Guatemala | 45.0 km | Nov 22, 1936 |
| 6.8 | 20 km SE of Iztapa, Guatemala | 45.0 km | Nov 19, 1936 |
| 6.3 | 127 km SSW of Puerto San José, Guatemala | 15.0 km | Sep 26, 1931 |
| 6.8 | 8 km NNW of Moyuta, Guatemala | 15.0 km | Jul 14, 1930 |
| 6.2 | 6 km W of Santa María Ixhuatán, Guatemala | 15.0 km | Jul 7, 1930 |
| 6.4 | 53 km S of Iztapa, Guatemala | 35.0 km | Mar 21, 1929 |
| 6.2 | 5 km ESE of Iztapa, Guatemala | 15.0 km | Mar 19, 1929 |
| 6.0 | 116 km SSW of Nueva Concepción, Guatemala | 30.0 km | Jan 31, 1929 |
| 6.2 | 7 km NW of Jacaltenango, Guatemala | 15.0 km | May 9, 1927 |
| 7.1 | 32 km NE of Chajul, Guatemala | 15.0 km | Feb 4, 1921 |
| 6.0 | 168 km SSW of Puerto San José, Guatemala | 15.0 km | Jul 17, 1919 |
| 7.0 | 31 km SE of Champerico, Guatemala | 35.0 km | Apr 17, 1919 |
| 6.4 | 1 km ESE of Morazán, Guatemala | 15.0 km | Jan 25, 1918 |
| 6.2 | 11 km ESE of El Chol, Guatemala | 10.0 km | Jan 4, 1918 |
| 6.7 | 11 km S of Los Amates, Guatemala | 15.0 km | Jun 12, 1912 |
| 6.5 | 25 km S of Taxisco, Guatemala | 10.0 km | Sep 23, 1907 |
| 7.5 | Near Quetzaltenango, Guatemala | 0.0 km | Apr 19, 1902 |
| 6.3 | Near Quetzaltenango, Guatemala | 0.0 km | Jan 18, 1902 |
Other countries in this catalog sample
A Guatemala-keyed shuffle of the full 186-country roster, not the six nearest by count.
Peak-magnitude sample from the same roster
A second Guatemala-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.