Recent earthquakes in Algeria
Northern Algeria lies along the African-Eurasian plate boundary, where convergence deforms the Tell Atlas and thrust faults run near the coast. This makes the populated north seismically active, while the Saharan interior is largely quiet. The 1980 El Asnam earthquake (M7.1) and the 2003 Boumerdès earthquake (M6.8) were among its most destructive. In the past 24 hours, Algeria has recorded no earthquakes above the reporting threshold.
Counts include M2.5+ events — the smallest size USGS reports consistently worldwide.
Recent earthquakes
| Magnitude | Time (UTC) | Depth | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| M3.1 | Jul 26, 13:39 UTC | 10 km | 2 km N of Armilla, Spain |
Notable recent activity
An M3.1 earthquake struck 2 km N of Armilla, Spain at 13:39 UTC on Jul 26 at a depth of 10 km.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Algeria have earthquakes?
The African Plate converges with Eurasia across northern Algeria, driving thrust faults through the Tell Atlas and along the coast. This concentrates earthquakes in the densely populated north, while the Sahara to the south is largely aseismic.
How often do earthquakes strike Algeria?
Northern Algeria experiences frequent moderate earthquakes and a major damaging event every couple of decades. The coastal region around Algiers and Boumerdès is among the most exposed.
What was the biggest earthquake in Algeria?
The October 10, 1980 El Asnam (Chlef) earthquake, magnitude 7.1, killed about 2,500 people and is Algeria's largest modern event. The May 21, 2003 Boumerdès earthquake (M6.8) struck near Algiers, killing over 2,200.
Nearby regions
Live data from the USGS earthquake feeds. Magnitudes and depths are automated readings and may be revised. Not for emergency use.