The Most Earthquake-Prone Places in the World and Why They Shake so Often

My interest in earthquakes began when I was a little girl. I remember watching footage of the ground shaking and wondering how something as solid as the Earth could suddenly move. That early curiosity stayed with me and eventually led me to learn more about why earthquakes happen and why some places experience them far more often than others.

As it turns out, earthquakes follow clear geological patterns shaped by powerful forces beneath the surface.

To better understand which regions experience the strongest seismic activity, I looked at country-level earthquake records and focused on major events, those with magnitudes of 7.0 and above. When the numbers are combined and ranked, a clear picture emerges. A small group of countries accounts for a large share of the world’s most powerful earthquakes, reflecting their position along active tectonic boundaries rather than coincidence.

Counts of the Major Earthquakes (M7+) by Countries

1) Indonesia - M7+ (183) | M8+ (12) | M9+ (1)

Indonesia experiences so many earthquakes because it sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where several major tectonic plates collide and slide beneath one another. The Indo-Australian Plate is constantly subducting beneath the Eurasian Plate, building up enormous pressure that is regularly released as earthquakes. The largest earthquake ever recorded in Indonesia was the 2004 Sumatra - Andaman earthquake, which reached a magnitude of about 9.1 - 9.3 and triggered a devastating tsunami across the Indian Ocean, highlighting the extreme seismic power generated in this region.

2) Japan - M7+ (156) | M8+ (10) | M9+ (1)

Japan experiences frequent earthquakes because it lies at the intersection of several major tectonic plates, including the Pacific Plate and the Philippine Sea Plate, which are constantly moving and colliding beneath the region. This complex plate interaction creates intense seismic stress that is released regularly as earthquakes. The largest earthquake ever recorded in Japan was the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake, which reached a magnitude of 9.0 and triggered a powerful tsunami, causing widespread damage and demonstrating how active and dangerous Japan’s seismic setting can be.

3) Russia - M7+ (127) | M8+ (15) | M9+ (1)

Russia experiences frequent earthquakes mainly in its far eastern regions, particularly along the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Kuril Islands, where the Pacific Plate is subducting beneath the Okhotsk Plate. This tectonic setting creates powerful seismic activity similar to other areas along the Pacific Ring of Fire. The largest earthquake ever recorded in Russia was the 1952 Severo-Kurilsk earthquake, which reached a magnitude of 9.0 and generated a tsunami, underscoring the significant seismic risk in this part of the country.

4) United States - M7+ (118) | M8+ (8) | M9+ (2)

The United States experiences frequent earthquakes because it spans multiple active tectonic boundaries, most notably along the western edge where the Pacific Plate interacts with the North American Plate. This plate movement causes earthquakes in regions such as California, Alaska, and the Pacific Northwest. The largest earthquake ever recorded in the United States was the 1964 Great Alaska earthquake, which reached a magnitude of 9.2, making it the strongest earthquake in U.S. history and one of the most powerful ever measured worldwide.

5) Papua New Guinea - M7+ (107) | M8+ (6)

Papua New Guinea experiences frequent earthquakes because it lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where several tectonic plates, including the Pacific, Australian, and smaller regional plates, interact in a highly complex way. These constant plate collisions and subduction zones generate intense seismic activity across the region.

You can find the rest of the detailed list here:

• Tonga - 81
• Vanuatu - 81
• Chile - 78
• Philippines - 77
• Mexico - 70
• Solomon Islands - 64
• Peru - 49
• New Zealand - 43
• China - 43
• Fiji Islands - 33
• Taiwan - 29
• South Georgia - 26
• Turkey - 22
• New Caledonia - 18
• India - 17

What stands out from these results is how closely major earthquakes are tied to plate boundaries such as subduction zones and major fault systems. Countries near the Pacific Ring of Fire dominate the list, reinforcing the idea that geography plays a decisive role in seismic risk. These patterns help explain why some regions experience repeated large earthquakes while others remain relatively quiet.

The Hidden Forces Beneath Our Feet

The Earth’s outer shell is divided into massive tectonic plates that slowly move and interact. Where these plates collide, slide past each other, or pull apart, stress builds up over time. When that stress is suddenly released, we experience an earthquake.

Most seismic activity happens along plate boundaries, which explains why earthquakes tend to cluster in specific zones rather than being evenly distributed across the globe.

Why Earthquake History Matters

Looking at global earthquake patterns reveals a critical truth: where earthquakes have happened before, they are likely to happen again. Historical records help scientists estimate risk, guide building codes, and improve early warning systems.

Publicly available earthquake records by country show clear trends in seismic activity and highlight which regions face the greatest ongoing risk. Understanding these patterns allows communities and individuals to make informed decisions about preparedness.

Awareness Is the First Line of Defense

Earthquakes are a natural part of how our planet works. While we can’t stop them, we can learn from them.

Knowing whether you live in an earthquake-prone region, understanding how often seismic activity occurs nearby, and learning how previous earthquakes affected similar areas can make a real difference when the ground starts to shake.

In a world shaped by moving plates and hidden fault lines, awareness isn’t fear, it’s resilience.