Recent earthquakes in Ecuador
Ecuador sits where the Nazca Plate subducts beneath the South American Plate along the country's Pacific coast, driving both offshore megathrust earthquakes and volcanism in the Andes. The 1906 Esmeraldas earthquake off the northern coast, magnitude 8.8, ranks among the largest ever recorded. The 2016 Muisne earthquake (M7.8) struck the same coastal region. In the past 24 hours, Ecuador has recorded 1 earthquake, the largest an M4.1 (5 km SW of Azogues, Ecuador).
Counts include M2.5+ events — the smallest size USGS reports consistently worldwide.
Recent earthquakes
| Magnitude | Time (UTC) | Depth | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| M4.1 | Oct 27, 03:55 UTC | 75 km | 5 km SW of Azogues, Ecuador |
| M4.1 | Oct 24, 20:57 UTC | 68 km | 37 km ESE of Cañaveral, Peru |
| M4.2 | Oct 24, 11:30 UTC | 181 km | 22 km ENE of Palora, Ecuador |
Notable recent activity
An M4.2 earthquake struck 22 km ENE of Palora, Ecuador at 11:30 UTC on Oct 24 at a depth of 181 km.
An M4.1 earthquake struck 5 km SW of Azogues, Ecuador at 03:55 UTC on Oct 27 at a depth of 75 km.
An M4.1 earthquake struck 37 km ESE of Cañaveral, Peru at 20:57 UTC on Oct 24 at a depth of 68 km.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Ecuador have earthquakes?
The Nazca Plate subducts beneath Ecuador along its Pacific margin, generating megathrust earthquakes offshore and feeding the volcanoes of the Andes. Crustal faults within the mountains add further seismic hazard.
How often do earthquakes strike Ecuador?
Ecuador records frequent small earthquakes and a damaging event every several years, concentrated along the coast and the Andean fault systems. The country's monitoring network tracks both seismic and volcanic activity.
What was the biggest earthquake in Ecuador?
The January 31, 1906 earthquake off the Esmeraldas coast, magnitude 8.8, is the largest recorded in Ecuador and one of the largest anywhere. It generated a Pacific-wide tsunami. The 2016 magnitude 7.8 Muisne earthquake was the deadliest recent event.
Nearby regions
Live data from the USGS earthquake feeds. Magnitudes and depths are automated readings and may be revised. Not for emergency use.