Recent earthquakes near Port-au-Prince
Port-au-Prince lies close to the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden Fault, a strike-slip fault marking part of the Caribbean-North American plate boundary that runs just south of the Haitian capital. Strain on this fault released catastrophically in the 2010 earthquake (M7.0), which struck near the city. Its dense, vulnerable construction made the impact among the deadliest in modern history. In the past 24 hours, Port-au-Prince 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 Port-au-Prince have earthquakes?
Port-au-Prince sits near the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden Fault, where the Caribbean and North American plates slide past each other. Strain accumulating on this fault releases in shallow earthquakes close to the capital.
What happened in the 2010 Port-au-Prince earthquake?
On January 12, 2010, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck near Port-au-Prince, killing an estimated 100,000 to over 200,000 people and destroying much of the city. It is among the deadliest earthquakes ever recorded, worsened by vulnerable construction.
Is Port-au-Prince still at risk?
Yes. The 2010 earthquake did not release all the strain on the region's faults, and segments to the west remain a concern. The 2021 magnitude 7.2 earthquake in southwestern Haiti underscored the continuing hazard across the country.
Nearby regions
Live data from the USGS earthquake feeds. Magnitudes and depths are automated readings and may be revised. Not for emergency use.