Traveling the world is thrilling, but some destinations shake far more often than others. Many of the most beautiful and popular countries are situated on major fault lines, where thousands of earthquakes occur every year. These aren’t just occasional rumbles, either. Some places experience daily tremors, frequent moderate quakes, and even the occasional catastrophic event.
With International ShakeOut Day approaching, now is the perfect time to highlight countries where seismic activity is a daily reality. Whether you’re planning a bucket-list trip or a quick getaway, knowing which destinations come with elevated earthquake risk can help you decide where to go — or what to prepare for if you do visit.
Think Twice Before Booking That Trip
Earthquakes occur worldwide, but some countries are significantly more prone to seismic activity than others. Many sit along the Ring of Fire, a horseshoe-shaped zone of intense seismic and volcanic activity that rims the Pacific Ocean. Others are positioned where tectonic plates collide or pull apart, creating constant pressure beneath the surface.
In the slides ahead, we’ll look at the world’s most earthquake-prone countries, with precise data on why they shake, how often, and what kind of activity travelers can expect. If you’re someone who prefers stable ground, these are the places to think twice about visiting.
Turkey – More Than 74,000 Quakes Every Year
Turkey is situated on several active fault lines, which explains why it experiences a high frequency of earthquakes. In 2022, the country recorded more than 74,000 seismic events. The powerful 2023 quake in Gaziantep reminded the world of the dangers of this activity.
- Why: Intersection of the Eurasian, African, and Arabian plates
- Earthquakes per year: 74,000+
- Record magnitude: 7.8 (2023)
- Typical activity: Daily microquakes, frequent light tremors, occasional destructive inland quakes
Iceland – Volcanoes and Fault Lines Make a Shaky Mix
Iceland sits right on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where two tectonic plates pull away from each other. That means constant activity. On average, there are about 26,000 earthquakes each year. Most are small, but some swarms precede volcanic eruptions, which can turn a vacation into a tense experience.
- Why: Divergent boundary between the North American and Eurasian plates
- Earthquakes per year: ~26,000
- Record magnitude: 7.1 (1784 Laki eruption)
- Typical activity: Frequent swarms of small quakes, occasional moderate ones linked to volcanic activity
New Zealand – A Natural Wonderland That Never Sits Still
New Zealand’s scenery is incredible, but the ground is often moving. Sitting between the Pacific and Australian plates, the country experiences over 20,000 earthquakes each year. Although only a few hundred are noticeable, large quakes can happen and cause severe damage.
- Why: Boundary between the Pacific and Australian plates
- Earthquakes per year: 20,000+
- Record magnitude: 8.2 (Wairarapa Fault, 1855)
- Typical activity: Thousands of small tremors annually, a few hundred felt quakes, occasional strong events
United States – More Than Just California
The United States records more than 12,000 earthquakes annually. California is the best-known hotspot, but Alaska and the Pacific Northwest are also at high risk. The 9.2 quake in Alaska in 1964 remains one of the strongest ever recorded. Even with advanced infrastructure, the shaking can be intense.
- Why: Major fault systems, including the San Andreas and Aleutian subduction zone
- Earthquakes per year: 12,000+
- Record magnitude: 9.2 (Alaska, 1964)
- Typical activity: Frequent small-to-moderate quakes in California and Alaska, with rare but powerful major events
Philippines – At the Crossroads of Tectonic Plates
The Philippines sits where several plates meet, which explains its high seismic activity. It experiences over 12,000 earthquakes annually, with quakes above 6.6 magnitude being quite common. Its urban areas are vibrant and beautiful, but the ground is constantly alive.
- Why: Convergence of the Philippine Sea, Eurasian, and Pacific plates
- Earthquakes per year: 12,000+
- Record magnitude: 8.3 (Celebes Sea, 1918)
- Typical activity: Daily small tremors, frequent moderate quakes, occasional major shocks
Indonesia – An Archipelago Built on Active Ground
Indonesia sits between two major seismic belts. This position results in more than 8,000 earthquakes each year. In 2004, a 9.1-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Sumatra triggered one of the deadliest tsunamis in recorded history. It’s a beautiful destination, but the risk is real.
- Why: Located between the Alpide Belt and the Pacific Ring of Fire subduction zones
- Earthquakes per year: 8,000+
- Record magnitude: 9.1 (Sumatra, 2004)
- Typical activity: Frequent light-to-moderate quakes across islands, occasional destructive offshore events
Iran – Less Frequent but Often Deadly
Iran doesn’t have the highest number of earthquakes, but the ones that happen can be devastating. The country sits along several plate boundaries, and many quakes have resulted in widespread destruction and high casualties.
- Why: Collision of the Arabian and Eurasian plates
- Earthquakes per year: ~6,900+
- Record magnitude: 7.8 (Tabas, 1978)
- Typical activity: Regular light and moderate quakes, occasional catastrophic inland events
Japan – Prepared but Always on Alert
Japan is known for its preparation, but it still faces constant seismic activity. Located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, it experiences more than 1,500 earthquakes every year. Advanced warning systems help residents and visitors, but the 9.0 Tohoku quake in 2011 proved that the threat remains serious.
- Why: Convergence of the Pacific, Philippine Sea, and Eurasian plates
- Earthquakes per year: 1,500+
- Record magnitude: 9.0 (Tohoku-Oki, 2011)
- Typical activity: Frequent small felt quakes, occasional strong offshore events, rare catastrophic quakes
Greece – A Mediterranean Favorite with a Surprising Seismic Side
Greece might not be the first place you think of when it comes to earthquakes, but it consistently ranks near the top in annual quake counts. In 2024, it even appeared in the number two spot on some global lists. Much of this activity happens along the Hellenic Arc, which runs south of the mainland. Visitors may not feel every tremor, but the risk is real.
- Why: Hellenic subduction zone in the Mediterranean
- Earthquakes per year: Among the highest in Europe
- Record magnitude: 7.2 (Amorgos earthquake, 1956)
- Typical activity: Frequent light-to-moderate offshore quakes, occasional strong felt events
Mexico – A Ring of Fire Giant with Frequent Quakes
Mexico is another country that sits right in the Ring of Fire. It experiences frequent seismic activity, with many quakes of magnitude 4 and above. While modern building codes help in cities like Mexico City, the country’s long seismic history makes it one to approach with caution.
- Why: Subduction of the Cocos Plate beneath the North American Plate
- Earthquakes per year: Thousands, many over M4
- Record magnitude: 8.0 (Mexico City, 1985)
- Typical activity: Regular moderate quakes, occasional large events that can affect urban areas
Italy – Beauty and History on Fault Lines
Italy is known for its stunning coastlines, Roman ruins, and mountain villages. It’s also known for destructive earthquakes. The country sits on multiple fault lines and experiences regular seismic activity, especially in central and southern regions. Historical quakes, such as the one in Messina in 1908, killed tens of thousands, and modern Italy still faces frequent tremors.
- Why: Convergence of the Eurasian, Adriatic, and African plates
- Earthquakes per year: Hundreds to low thousands
- Record magnitude: 7.1 (Calabria, 1905)
- Typical activity: Regular light-to-moderate quakes, occasional destructive inland events
China – Massive Land, Massive Faults
China’s size and complex tectonic layout make it one of the most earthquake-prone countries in Asia. Multiple active fault lines run through its mountainous regions. Historic quakes show the scale of potential damage. A prime example is the 2008 Sichuan disaster, where over 87,000 people lost their lives.
- Why: Collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates and extensive internal fault systems
- Earthquakes per year: Thousands across multiple regions
- Record magnitude: 8.6 (Assam-Tibet earthquake, 1950)
- Typical activity: Moderate quakes in tectonic belts, occasional powerful inland earthquakes
Vanuatu – A Pacific Island Nation That Shakes Often
Vanuatu doesn’t make international headlines often, but it’s one of the most seismically active places on Earth. It sits in a subduction zone in the Pacific, which means frequent moderate to strong earthquakes. These often occur offshore but can trigger local tsunamis.
- Why: Pacific subduction zone
- Earthquakes per year: Thousands, many offshore
- Record magnitude: 7.7 (2015)
- Typical activity: Frequent moderate offshore quakes, occasional strong events affecting islands
Nepal – Himalayan Beauty with Intense Tectonic Pressure
Nepal sits in one of the most powerful tectonic collision zones in the world, where the Indian Plate pushes into the Eurasian Plate. This pressure is what created the Himalayas, and it’s also what causes major earthquakes. The 2015 Gorkha earthquake killed nearly 9,000 people, and scientists say another large event is inevitable.
- Why: Collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates
- Earthquakes per year: Dozens to hundreds
- Record magnitude: 8.0 (1934 Nepal-Bihar earthquake)
- Typical activity: Less frequent than in the Pacific zones but capable of rare, devastating earthquakes
Travel Smart – Avoid or Prepare, but Never Ignore the Risk
You don’t have to cross these destinations off your list forever, but you should treat their earthquake risk seriously.
Before traveling, check local emergency resources and understand evacuation routes. Pack a basic emergency kit with water, snacks, a flashlight, and backup power. Learn the simple but life-saving “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” technique, which is practiced globally on ShakeOut Day.
For cautious travelers, avoiding these destinations might bring peace of mind. For adventurous ones, preparation is key. Understanding where and why the ground shakes can turn a potentially dangerous situation into one you’re ready for.
Keep reading: explore more destination guides and safety tips to travel confidently: