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Country profile · USGS ComCat

Earthquakes in Wallis and Futuna

Wallis and Futuna has catalogued 807 M4+ earthquakes since 2005 (ranked 36th of 187 countries), with the strongest reaching magnitude M7.6.

Wallis and Futuna ranks 36th of 187 countries by catalogued seismic activity - a moderately seismically active country, averaging about 38 M4+ events a year alongside 60 significant M6+ earthquakes since 1900. Its M6+ record runs from 1907 to 2025, peaking in 1974.

807
M4+ events (since 2005)
60
Major M6+ (since 1900)
M7.6
Strongest
~38
M4+ per year

The verdict

Wallis and Futuna is more seismically active than most places tracked here, with 807 M4+ earthquakes logged since 2005 and 60 major M6+ events since 1900, the strongest reaching magnitude 7.6.

1974
busiest year (3 major events)
48 km
average recorded event depth
92%
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 Bolivia sits immediately above at 832 events and Costa Rica sits immediately below at 717.

Where Wallis and Futuna sits in the catalog

Rank 36th of 187 tracked countries (81th percentile by M4+ count since 2005). On the M4+ activity ladder Bolivia sits immediately above at 832 events and Costa Rica sits immediately below at 717.

Wallis and Futuna's M4+ count vs. every tracked country

Total catalogued M4+ events since 2005, USGS ComCat

807 Top 19% higher than 81% of 187 countries

0–500: 143 countries (76%). Below this entry. 500–1,000: 11 countries (6%). This entry sits in this band. 1,000–1,500: 5 countries (3%). Above this entry. 1,500–2,000: 5 countries (3%). Above this entry. 2,000–2,500: 1 countries (1%). Above this entry. 2,500–3,000: 1 countries (1%). Above this entry. 3,000–3,500: 2 countries (1%). Above this entry. 3,500–4,000: 1 countries (1%). Above this entry. 4,000–4,500: 3 countries (2%). Above this entry. 4,500–5,000: 3 countries (2%). Above this entry. 5,000–5,500: 12 countries (6%). Above this entry. Wallis and Futuna 0 5,000+ every tracked country, bucketed by value

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

How Wallis and Futuna compares to its nearest peers

Wallis and Futuna ranks in the 81th percentile for M4+ frequency among all 187 tracked countries. Plotted here against its 20 nearest-ranked peers by how OFTEN they shake (M4+ count) against how HARD the strongest one ever hit (max recorded magnitude).

Wallis and Futuna vs. its 20 nearest-ranked peer countries, USGS ComCat 2×2 strategic matrix plotting 21 entities by M4+ events since 2005 (X) and Strongest recorded magnitude (Y), with a crosshair dividing the plot into four quadrants. Frequent and severeRare but severeFrequent, capped so farLower on both axes 05001,0001,5002,000 M5.5M6M6.5M7M7.5M8 M4+ events since 2005 Strongest recorded magnitude
Wallis and Futuna vs. its 20 nearest-ranked peer countries, USGS ComCat
Read the chart (all 21 values)
Country M4+ events Strongest magnitude
Colombia 1,721 M7.3
Tajikistan 1,583 M7.2
El Salvador 1,501 M7.3
Nicaragua 1,416 M6.6
Pakistan 1,262 M7.7
Myanmar 1,136 M7.7
Ecuador 1,130 M7.8
Canada 1,026 M7.8
Iceland 982 M6.3
Bolivia 832 M6.8
Wallis and Futuna (this page) 807 M6.7
Costa Rica 717 M7.6
Panama 704 M6.7
Nepal 694 M7.8
Micronesia 672 M6.6
Kyrgyzstan 625 M6.7
Italy 609 M6.6
Ethiopia 574 M5.9
Venezuela 531 M7.5
Dominican Republic 489 M5.8
Svalbard and Jan Mayen 434 M6.8

Major (M6+) earthquakes in Wallis and Futuna by year

Count of significant (magnitude 6.0+) events catalogued each year

Value

What this shows Wallis and Futuna's most active year for major earthquakes was 1974 (3 M6+ events). Major-quake counts are irregular, they track the episodic release of tectonic stress, not a smooth trend.

Source USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat) As of 2005–present
0%100%1.5%
Share of Wallis and Futuna's M4+ catalog that reached significant M6+ severity

12 of 807 catalogued M4+ events since 2005 reached M6.0 or higher.

Magnitude distribution of major events

Breakdown of the 60 significant (M6+) earthquakes on record for Wallis and Futuna.

How the 60 total breaks down by magnitude M6.0-6.9 is the largest share -- 98.3%

M7.0-7.9

1

1.7%

M6.0-6.9

59

98.3%

Depth of major earthquakes

Hypocentral depth of the 60 M6+ events, shallow quakes shake the surface hardest. Average depth: 48 km.

Wallis and Futuna91.7%Shallow (<70 km)Intermediate (70-300 km)Deep (>300 km)
Depth distribution of Wallis and Futuna's M6+ events, USGS ComCat

Shallow (<70 km)

55

91.7% of events

Intermediate (70–300 km)

1

1.7% of events

Deep (>300 km)

4

6.7% of events

Strongest earthquakes in Wallis and Futuna

The 10 most powerful events on record (USGS, since 1900).

Mag Location Depth
7.6 144 km SSW of Leava, Wallis and Futuna 419.1 km
7.0 85 km SW of Leava, Wallis and Futuna 10.0 km
6.7 201 km SSE of Mata-Utu, Wallis and Futuna 18.0 km
6.7 116 km SSW of Leava, Wallis and Futuna 10.0 km
6.7 203 km SSE of Mata-Utu, Wallis and Futuna 16.0 km
6.7 266 km SSE of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 33.0 km
6.7 139 km S of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 15.0 km
6.6 187 km SSE of Mata-Utu, Wallis and Futuna 314.2 km
6.6 168 km SW of Leava, Wallis and Futuna 10.0 km
6.6 142 km S of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 13.5 km

Significant earthquake record (60 events)

Every catalogued magnitude-6.0-and-above earthquake in Wallis and Futuna since 1900, most recent first.

Mag Location Depth
6.6 187 km SSE of Mata-Utu, Wallis and Futuna 314.2 km
6.5 265 km SSE of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 10.0 km
6.1 157 km ESE of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 3.7 km
6.0 254 km SSE of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 10.0 km
6.5 181 km SSW of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 10.0 km
6.7 201 km SSE of Mata-Utu, Wallis and Futuna 18.0 km
6.4 193 km SSE of Mata-Utu, Wallis and Futuna 9.0 km
6.2 271 km SSE of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 407.9 km
6.3 254 km SSE of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 15.5 km
6.0 221 km S of Mata-Utu, Wallis and Futuna 32.5 km
6.7 116 km SSW of Leava, Wallis and Futuna 10.0 km
6.0 89 km E of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 10.0 km
6.3 171 km SSE of Mata-Utu, Wallis and Futuna 31.0 km
6.0 183 km S of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 10.0 km
6.1 166 km SSE of Mata-Utu, Wallis and Futuna 10.0 km
6.4 249 km SSE of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 10.0 km
6.6 168 km SW of Leava, Wallis and Futuna 10.0 km
6.0 201 km S of Mata-Utu, Wallis and Futuna 33.0 km
6.3 264 km SSE of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 9.7 km
6.2 144 km ESE of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 33.0 km
6.0 160 km SE of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 378.9 km
6.7 203 km SSE of Mata-Utu, Wallis and Futuna 16.0 km
6.1 173 km SE of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 27.6 km
6.0 171 km SW of Leava, Wallis and Futuna 17.8 km
6.0 17 km SSE of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 33.0 km
6.0 146 km SSW of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 10.0 km
6.0 144 km SSW of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 17.8 km
6.7 266 km SSE of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 33.0 km
6.0 182 km SSE of Mata-Utu, Wallis and Futuna 292.0 km
6.0 20 km SE of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 2.0 km
6.3 24 km SE of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 33.0 km
6.5 227 km SSE of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 33.0 km
6.1 174 km SE of Mata-Utu, Wallis and Futuna 33.0 km
6.1 176 km SSW of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 33.0 km
6.0 276 km SSE of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 33.0 km
6.6 142 km S of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 13.5 km
6.5 162 km S of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 25.0 km
7.0 85 km SW of Leava, Wallis and Futuna 10.0 km
6.1 252 km SSE of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 11.9 km
6.2 274 km SSE of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 15.0 km
6.2 127 km SSE of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 55.0 km
6.1 157 km S of Mata-Utu, Wallis and Futuna 30.0 km
6.4 297 km SSE of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 25.0 km
6.0 220 km S of Mata-Utu, Wallis and Futuna 15.0 km
7.6 144 km SSW of Leava, Wallis and Futuna 419.1 km
6.5 106 km SE of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 15.0 km
6.5 148 km SSW of Leava, Wallis and Futuna 15.0 km
6.3 60 km SSE of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 15.0 km
6.4 166 km S of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 15.0 km
6.1 255 km SSE of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 35.0 km
6.4 183 km SSE of Mata-Utu, Wallis and Futuna 15.0 km
6.1 149 km SSW of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 15.0 km
6.2 36 km WNW of Leava, Wallis and Futuna 15.0 km
6.0 183 km SSE of Mata-Utu, Wallis and Futuna 15.0 km
6.4 195 km SSE of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 15.0 km
6.7 139 km S of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 15.0 km
6.3 292 km S of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 15.0 km
6.4 225 km S of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 15.0 km
6.4 88 km SE of Mata-Utu, Wallis and Futuna 15.0 km
6.5 84 km S of Alo, Wallis and Futuna 15.0 km

Other countries in this catalog sample

A Wallis and Futuna-keyed shuffle of the full 186-country roster, not the six nearest by count.

Ecuador

1,130 M4+ events · strongest M7.8

M7.8

Mauritius

135 M4+ events · strongest M6.0

M6.0

Kosovo

11 M4+ events · strongest M4.6

M4.6

Tokelau

1 M4+ events · strongest M5.0

M5.0

Marshall Islands

1 M4+ events · strongest M4.2

M4.2

Trinidad and Tobago

88 M4+ events · strongest M6.1

M6.1

Peak-magnitude sample from the same roster

A second Wallis and Futuna-keyed shuffle of countries with a recorded max magnitude.

Croatia

65 M4+ events

M6.4

Barbados

66 M4+ events

M6.5

Zimbabwe

135 M4+ events

M7.0

Greece

4,606 M4+ events

M7.0

Mongolia

196 M4+ events

M6.7

Cyprus

97 M4+ events

M6.6

Understand the data

Bolivia

Next more active on the M4+ ladder.

Costa Rica

Next less active on the M4+ ladder.

Country rankings

Every country by M4+ activity.

Frequently asked questions

How many earthquakes have occurred in Wallis and Futuna? ▼
The USGS catalog records 807 earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 or greater in Wallis and Futuna since 2005, an average of about 38 per year. Separately, 60 significant (M6+) earthquakes are catalogued back to 1900.
What was the strongest earthquake in Wallis and Futuna? ▼
The strongest catalogued earthquake in Wallis and Futuna measured magnitude 7.6. Across the full M4+ catalog the average magnitude is 4.6 - most earthquakes are moderate.
How seismically active is Wallis and Futuna? ▼
By catalogued M4+ activity, Wallis and Futuna ranks 36th of 187 countries worldwide - a moderately seismically active country. Its busiest year for major (M6+) events was 1974, with 3.
How deep are earthquakes in Wallis and Futuna? ▼
Across the 60 major (M6+) events on record, the average depth is 48 km. 92% were shallow (under 70 km), where surface shaking is strongest at a given magnitude.
Where does this data come from? ▼
Every figure is derived from the USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat). M4+ counts cover 2005 onward (the period of consistent global completeness); the significant-event series covers M6+ back to 1900. Nothing is modelled or estimated.

About Wallis and Futuna's figures

807 M4+ events since 2005 · strongest M7.6 · average M4.6 · 60 M6+ significant events since 1900 · latest M4+ catalog stamp Jul 9, 2026. Computed from the USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat). See the methodology and USGS ComCat.

Disclaimer: PlainQuake is informational only, not an emergency service or engineering advice. See our full disclaimer.

What Wallis and Futuna's numbers mean

Wallis and Futuna ranks 36th of 187 countries tracked - a moderately seismically active country.

  • About 38 M4+ earthquakes strike Wallis and Futuna per year on average, though major (M6+) activity is episodic - 1974 was the busiest year on record with 3 significant events. See the full country ranking
  • 92% of Wallis and Futuna's catalogued major earthquakes are shallow (under 70km) - shallow events generally produce stronger surface shaking than deep ones of the same magnitude. How depth affects shaking
  • The strongest catalogued event reached M7.6. Compare against neighboring or similarly-ranked countries before drawing conclusions from magnitude alone. Compare strongest earthquakes

Figures reflect the USGS ComCat catalog (M4+ since 2005, M6+ significant events since 1900) - not a real-time hazard assessment. For official guidance, see the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.

According to the US Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program, PlainQuake's figures are rendered directly from 315,341 recorded M4+ earthquakes and 14,428 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 2026-07-19.