Country profile · USGS ComCat
Earthquakes in India
India has catalogued 4,099 M4+ earthquakes since 2005 (ranked 18th of 187 countries), with the strongest reaching magnitude M8.0.
India ranks 18th of 187 countries by catalogued seismic activity - a highly seismically active country, averaging about 195 M4+ events a year alongside 140 significant M6+ earthquakes since 1900. Its M6+ record runs from 1905 to 2025, peaking in 1950.
- 4,099
- M4+ events (since 2005)
- 140
- Major M6+ (since 1900)
- M8.0
- Strongest
- ~195
- M4+ per year
The verdict
India is among the more seismically active places worldwide, with 4,099 M4+ earthquakes logged since 2005 and 140 major M6+ events since 1900, the strongest reaching magnitude 8.0.
- 1950
- busiest year (13 major events)
- 30 km
- average recorded event depth
- 93%
- of events are shallow (<70 km, the most damaging kind)
Average catalogued magnitude is 4.5 - most events are moderate M4-5 tremors that are felt but rarely cause damage. On the M4+ activity ladder Argentina sits immediately above at 4,405 events and Iran sits immediately below at 3,577.
ComCat magnitude tape
Event tape INDIA · India M4+ · 18th/187
India · 4,099 M4+ · max M8.0 · 140 M6+
- RANK 4,099
- MAX 18th/187
- M6 M8.0
- DEPTH 140
- PHOTO near Argentina
- BUSY 93% 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 India
USGS recorded Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) for 91 events in this catalogued record; their average observed intensity was MMI 6.2. These are only events with an observation, not an estimate of future shaking or a safety rating.
- MMI observations
- 91
- Average observed MMI
- 6.2
- PAGER alerts / tsunami flags
- 9 / 0
Source: USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat) GeoJSON impact fields. Missing MMI, alert, and tsunami values remain unreported rather than being treated as zero.
Where India sits in the catalog
Rank 18th of 187 tracked countries (90th percentile by M4+ count since 2005). On the M4+ activity ladder Argentina sits immediately above at 4,405 events and Iran sits immediately below at 3,577.
India's M4+ count vs. every tracked country
Total catalogued M4+ events since 2005, USGS ComCat
4,099 Top 10% higher than 90% 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 India by year
Count of significant (magnitude 6.0+) events catalogued each year
- 2007
2007: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2008
2008: 3 major (M6+) events
3
- 2009
2009: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2010
2010: 3 major (M6+) events
3
- 2011
2011: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2014 1
2014: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2015 1
2015: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2016 1
2016: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2017
2017: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2020 1
2020: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2021
2021: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2025 1
2025: 1 major (M6+) events
1
What this shows India's most active year for major earthquakes was 1950 (13 M6+ events). Major-quake counts are irregular, they track the episodic release of tectonic stress, not a smooth trend.
28 of 4,099 catalogued M4+ events since 2005 reached M6.0 or higher.
Magnitude distribution of major events
Breakdown of the 140 significant (M6+) earthquakes on record for India.
M7.0-7.9
12
8.6%
M6.0-6.9
128
91.4%
Depth of major earthquakes
Hypocentral depth of the 140 M6+ events, shallow quakes shake the surface hardest. Average depth: 30 km.
Shallow (<70 km)
130
92.9% of events
Intermediate (70–300 km)
10
7.1% of events
Deep (>300 km)
0
0.0% of events
Strongest earthquakes in India
The 10 most powerful events on record (USGS, since 1900).
| Mag | Location | Depth | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.0 | 43 km N of Bamboo Flat, India | 20.0 km | Jun 26, 1941 |
| 7.9 | The 1905 Kangra, India Earthquake | 20.0 km | Apr 4, 1905 |
| 7.7 | 17 km NW of Bhach?u, India | 16.0 km | Jan 26, 2001 |
| 7.6 | 37 km S of Sarupathar, India | 15.0 km | Jan 27, 1931 |
| 7.5 | Nicobar Islands, India region | 35.0 km | Jun 12, 2010 |
| 7.5 | 266 km N of Bamboo Flat, India | 24.0 km | Aug 10, 2009 |
| 7.3 | 85 km SE of Phek, India | 90.5 km | Aug 6, 1988 |
| 7.3 | 73 km W of Shi Yomi, India | 20.0 km | Jul 29, 1947 |
| 7.2 | Nicobar Islands, India region | 16.0 km | Jul 24, 2005 |
| 7.2 | 13 km W of Dergaon, India | 15.0 km | Oct 23, 1943 |
Significant earthquake record (140 events)
Every catalogued magnitude-6.0-and-above earthquake in India since 1900, most recent first.
| Mag | Location | Depth | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.0 | Nicobar Islands, India region | 23.0 km | Mar 12, 2025 |
| 6.1 | Nicobar Islands, India region | 10.0 km | Aug 3, 2021 |
| 6.0 | 8 km NNW of Dhekiajuli, India | 34.0 km | Apr 28, 2021 |
| 6.1 | 239 km E of Port Blair, India | 10.0 km | Jul 17, 2020 |
| 6.4 | 156 km NNE of Shi Yomi, India | 8.0 km | Nov 17, 2017 |
| 6.0 | Nicobar Islands, India region | 10.0 km | Mar 14, 2017 |
| 6.7 | 29 km W of Imph?l, India | 55.0 km | Jan 3, 2016 |
| 6.6 | Nicobar Islands, India region | 10.0 km | Nov 8, 2015 |
| 6.0 | 276 km SE of Kon?rka, India | 47.2 km | May 21, 2014 |
| 6.9 | 43 km NW of Mangan, India | 50.0 km | Sep 18, 2011 |
| 6.2 | 62 km E of W?ngjing, India | 85.0 km | Feb 4, 2011 |
| 7.5 | Nicobar Islands, India region | 35.0 km | Jun 12, 2010 |
| 6.5 | 98 km SE of Port Blair, India | 112.0 km | May 31, 2010 |
| 6.6 | 217 km N of Bamboo Flat, India | 34.0 km | Mar 30, 2010 |
| 6.0 | Nicobar Islands, India region | 23.0 km | Nov 10, 2009 |
| 7.5 | 266 km N of Bamboo Flat, India | 24.0 km | Aug 10, 2009 |
| 6.2 | 121 km SW of Bamboo Flat, India | 20.0 km | Aug 10, 2008 |
| 6.1 | 144 km SW of Bamboo Flat, India | 15.0 km | Jun 28, 2008 |
| 6.6 | 124 km SW of Bamboo Flat, India | 17.0 km | Jun 27, 2008 |
| 6.1 | Nicobar Islands, India region | 15.0 km | Jul 25, 2007 |
| 6.1 | Nicobar Islands, India region | 11.0 km | Jan 8, 2007 |
| 6.2 | Andaman Islands, India region | 24.0 km | Dec 22, 2006 |
| 6.0 | Nicobar Islands, India region | 16.0 km | Jun 21, 2006 |
| 6.1 | 41 km WNW of Bamboo Flat, India | 19.0 km | Feb 3, 2006 |
| 7.2 | Nicobar Islands, India region | 16.0 km | Jul 24, 2005 |
| 6.3 | Nicobar Islands, India region | 30.0 km | Jan 24, 2005 |
| 6.1 | Andaman Islands, India region | 23.2 km | Jan 4, 2005 |
| 6.1 | Nicobar Islands, India region | 55.4 km | Jan 1, 2005 |
| 6.1 | Nicobar Islands, India region | 14.0 km | Dec 31, 2004 |
| 6.2 | Nicobar Islands, India region | 12.0 km | Dec 29, 2004 |
| 6.1 | Nicobar Islands, India region | 8.0 km | Dec 29, 2004 |
| 6.2 | 203 km N of Bamboo Flat, India | 13.3 km | Dec 26, 2004 |
| 6.3 | 194 km N of Bamboo Flat, India | 26.4 km | Dec 26, 2004 |
| 6.6 | Nicobar Islands, India region | 16.1 km | Dec 26, 2004 |
| 6.0 | 99 km ENE of Port Blair, India | 100.2 km | Aug 11, 2003 |
| 6.5 | 152 km NNE of Bamboo Flat, India | 21.0 km | Sep 13, 2002 |
| 6.0 | Nicobar Islands, India region | 33.0 km | Mar 15, 2001 |
| 7.7 | 17 km NW of Bhach?u, India | 16.0 km | Jan 26, 2001 |
| 6.3 | 83 km NNE of Sarupathar, India | 33.0 km | Jun 7, 2000 |
| 6.6 | 9 km NNW of P?palkoti, India | 15.0 km | Mar 28, 1999 |
| 6.1 | 42 km SW of Saiha, India | 54.4 km | Nov 21, 1997 |
| 6.0 | 11 km WNW of Kar?mganj, India | 34.9 km | May 8, 1997 |
| 6.9 | 130 km ENE of Thang, India | 33.0 km | Nov 19, 1996 |
| 6.4 | 109 km SE of Phek, India | 117.5 km | May 6, 1995 |
| 6.1 | 115 km E of W?ngjing, India | 121.7 km | Aug 8, 1994 |
| 6.2 | 20 km SSW of Ausa, India | 6.8 km | Sep 29, 1993 |
| 6.0 | 274 km SSE of Port Blair, India | 66.0 km | Dec 8, 1992 |
| 6.8 | 32 km E of Uttark?shi, India | 10.3 km | Oct 19, 1991 |
| 6.3 | 120 km E of W?ngjing, India | 119.2 km | Jan 9, 1990 |
| 7.3 | 85 km SE of Phek, India | 90.5 km | Aug 6, 1988 |
| 6.3 | 45 km SSE of Koh?ma, India | 49.5 km | May 18, 1987 |
| 6.0 | 238 km E of Leh, India | 9.1 km | Jul 6, 1986 |
| 6.0 | Nicobar Islands, India region | 27.0 km | Jan 28, 1986 |
| 6.0 | 20 km SW of Lakhipur, India | 22.6 km | Dec 30, 1984 |
| 6.0 | 15 km SW of Chur?ch?ndpur, India | 33.0 km | May 6, 1984 |
| 6.8 | 166 km NE of Bamboo Flat, India | 78.0 km | Jan 24, 1983 |
| 6.1 | 15 km ENE of Gangtok, India | 17.0 km | Nov 19, 1980 |
| 6.2 | Nicobar Islands, India region | 33.0 km | Oct 29, 1980 |
| 6.1 | 176 km N of Thang, India | 63.0 km | Feb 13, 1980 |
| 6.4 | 58 km NNE of Sarupathar, India | 27.0 km | Aug 12, 1976 |
| 6.0 | 84 km NE of Sar?han, India | 33.0 km | Jan 19, 1975 |
| 6.8 | 120 km E of Man?li, India | 33.0 km | Jan 19, 1975 |
| 6.1 | 48 km SW of Bamboo Flat, India | 33.0 km | Feb 16, 1974 |
| 6.0 | 50 km SW of Bamboo Flat, India | 25.0 km | Feb 16, 1974 |
| 6.6 | Nicobar Islands, India region | 33.0 km | Apr 7, 1973 |
| 6.3 | 253 km E of Port Blair, India | 16.3 km | Mar 28, 1971 |
| 6.3 | Nicobar Islands, India region | 23.7 km | Oct 25, 1970 |
| 7.0 | 61 km ESE of Tuensang, India | 70.9 km | Jul 29, 1970 |
| 6.5 | 6 km WSW of Pātan, India | 10.0 km | Dec 10, 1967 |
| 6.1 | Nicobar Islands, India region | 10.0 km | Jul 2, 1967 |
| 6.3 | 133 km NE of Joshīmath, India | 19.0 km | Mar 6, 1966 |
| 6.7 | 138 km NE of Josh?math, India | 20.0 km | Mar 6, 1966 |
| 6.6 | 53 km N of Ziro, India | 25.0 km | Oct 21, 1964 |
| 6.3 | Nicobar Islands, India region | 45.0 km | Sep 15, 1964 |
| 6.0 | 178 km S of Port Blair, India | 78.0 km | Jun 13, 1964 |
| 6.2 | 179 km NNE of Bamboo Flat, India | 27.0 km | Nov 16, 1962 |
| 6.1 | 17 km NE of Sarupathar, India | 25.0 km | Sep 22, 1962 |
| 6.3 | 22 km ESE of Sarupathar, India | 35.0 km | Feb 20, 1962 |
| 6.0 | Nicobar Islands, India region | 50.0 km | Jul 11, 1961 |
| 6.1 | 15 km NE of B?geshwar, India | 15.0 km | Dec 28, 1958 |
| 6.2 | 22 km SSW of Kakching, India | 65.0 km | Jul 1, 1957 |
| 6.7 | 6 km SE of Jahāngīrpur, India | 15.0 km | Oct 10, 1956 |
| 6.0 | 20 km NNE of Anj?r, India | 15.0 km | Jul 21, 1956 |
| 6.2 | 109 km NE of Sar?han, India | 15.0 km | Jun 27, 1955 |
| 6.4 | 57 km WSW of Shi Yomi, India | 15.0 km | Apr 14, 1951 |
| 6.0 | Nicobar Islands, India region | 25.0 km | Dec 22, 1950 |
| 6.1 | 85 km NNE of P?sigh?t, India | 25.0 km | Dec 3, 1950 |
| 6.3 | 3 km NE of Shi Yomi, India | 25.0 km | Oct 8, 1950 |
| 6.0 | 126 km NNE of Sarupathar, India | 25.0 km | Oct 3, 1950 |
| 6.3 | 38 km N of Shi Yomi, India | 20.0 km | Sep 30, 1950 |
| 6.2 | 14 km NNW of Ch?bua, India | 25.0 km | Sep 13, 1950 |
| 6.2 | 7 km NE of Mor?nha, India | 25.0 km | Aug 26, 1950 |
| 6.1 | 94 km NNE of Sarupathar, India | 25.0 km | Aug 22, 1950 |
| 6.3 | 136 km NNE of P?sigh?t, India | 20.0 km | Aug 18, 1950 |
| 6.1 | 28 km N of Along, India | 25.0 km | Aug 17, 1950 |
| 6.2 | 56 km NNW of Tezu, India | 25.0 km | Aug 16, 1950 |
| 6.0 | 20 km WNW of Maibong, India | 25.0 km | Aug 15, 1950 |
| 6.2 | 64 km NE of P?sigh?t, India | 25.0 km | Aug 15, 1950 |
| 7.3 | 73 km W of Shi Yomi, India | 20.0 km | Jul 29, 1947 |
| 6.4 | 265 km E of Leh, India | 25.0 km | Nov 6, 1946 |
Showing the first 100 of 140 significant events.
Other countries in this catalog sample
A India-keyed shuffle of the full 186-country roster, not the six nearest by count.
Peak-magnitude sample from the same roster
A second India-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.