Recent earthquakes in Armenia
Armenia lies within the collision zone between the Arabian and Eurasian plates, a region of compressed and faulted crust across the Lesser Caucasus. Active faults cross the country, capable of shallow, damaging earthquakes. The 1988 Spitak earthquake (M6.8) killed at least 25,000 people in northern Armenia. In the past 24 hours, Armenia has recorded no earthquakes above the reporting threshold.
Counts include M2.5+ events — the smallest size USGS reports consistently worldwide.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Armenia have earthquakes?
Armenia sits in the broad collision zone where the Arabian Plate pushes into Eurasia, deforming the Caucasus region. Active faults across the country accommodate this convergence and produce shallow earthquakes.
What happened in the 1988 Spitak earthquake?
On December 7, 1988, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck northern Armenia near the town of Spitak, killing at least 25,000 people. Poorly constructed buildings collapsed widely, and the disaster drew a major international relief response.
Is Armenia still at earthquake risk?
Yes. The faults responsible for past earthquakes remain active, and the collision that drives them continues. Armenia's building standards and preparedness have improved since 1988, but the underlying hazard persists.
Nearby regions
Live data from the USGS earthquake feeds. Magnitudes and depths are automated readings and may be revised. Not for emergency use.