10 most earthquake-prone countries in the world: China tops list, Japan at 4, US at…; where do India and Pakistan stand?
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10 most earthquake-prone countries in the world: China tops list, Japan at 4, US at…; where do India and Pakistan stand?
10 most earthquake-prone countries in the world: China tops list, Japan at 4, US at…; where do India and Pakistan stand?
Based on seismic records and NOAA data, here is a list of top 10 most earthquake-prone countries in the world.
File/Representational
A recent wave of powerful earthquakes, such as the magnitude 7.7 that killed over 5,000 people in Myanmar's Sagaing in March this year, and recent 8.8 magnitude quake that struck the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia, triggering tsunami alerts across as many as 44 countries in the Pacific Ocean region, has raised fears of a major cataclysm earthquake-prone countries. But have you wondered whether India and Pakistan are listed among most earthquake-prone countries in the world?
Based on seismic records and data from NOAA, here is a list of top 10 countries which have been frequently affected by major earthquakes in the last three decades:
China: India's neighbor China tops the list, having suffered at total of 186 powerful earthquakes since 1990. China's western and southwestern regions, especially along the Longmenshan and Himalayan fault lines, are categorized as highly-active seismic zones. Recent quakes which caused massive loss of life and damage in the South Asian country include the 2008 Sichuan earthquake and the 1976 Tangshan earthquake Indonesia: Regarded as the most seismically-active country on the planet, Indonesia lies in one of the most earthquake-prone zones in the Pacific Ocean, and has witnessed about 1000 tremors, including 166 major earthquakes since 1990. Notably, one of the deadliest natural disaster in modern history, the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami, occurred in Indonesia, killing more than 200,000 people in the region and leaving millions homeless. Iran: The Islamic Republic is located in the middle of the collision zone between the Arabian and Eurasian tectonic plates, making it highly vulnerable to major earthquakes due to tectonic activity in the region. Japan: Perhaps no other country has witnessed the level of devastation due to earthquakes more than Japan, primarily because of it being located in the Ring of Fire– one of the most seismically active zones on earth. Japan has witnessed a total of 98 major earthquakes since 1990, including 2011 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, that claimed the lives of at least 20,000 people. United States: The United States has a large landmass and experienced a total of 78 powerful earthquakes from 1990 to 2024. Powerful seismic activity is mostly seen in California and Alaska, especially along the San Andreas Fault. Turkey: Located along the North Anatolian Fault, a major east-west fault line that has caused several deadly earthquakes, Turkey has recorded some of the devastating quakes in history, including the 1999 Izmit earthquake killed at least 18,373 people and injured 48,901 and the 2023 Kahramanmaras earthquake that left more than 50,000 dead. India: India witnesses significant seismic activity in the Northeast and Himalayan region and the tectonic collision with the Eurasian plate, resulting in destructive earthquakes such as the 2001 Gujarat earthquake, which claimed over 20,000 lives. Philippines: The tectonic interaction between the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate results in heightened seismic activity and earthquakes in Philippines. The country has recorded 55 major earthquakes since 1990, including the magnitude 7.7 Luzon island quake that killed 2,412 people in 1990. Mexico: This North American nation is located within the boundary of shifting tectonic plates, resulting in frequent earthquakes in the region. Afghanistan: Due its location the seismically active Hindu Kush region, Afghanistan often witnesses powerful earthquakes because of the tectonic activity caused by the collision of Indian and Eurasian plates.
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