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Recent earthquakes in Ecuador
Was there an earthquake in Ecuador today? Check reported USGS epicentres, times, magnitudes and depths, or choose a longer period.
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Latest earthquakes
UpdatedUpdates every minute while this page is visible
No known events in this window
This describes the available catalogue, not an all-clear. Try a longer period or check the latest known event below.
The last 30 days
- Latest recorded earthquake
- No records in 30 days
- Strongest in 30 days
- No records in 30 days
- Earthquakes in the catalogue
- 0USGS
- Magnitude 4.5 or larger
- 0M ≥ 4.5
Data from USGS, updated automatically. This is not a warning; official alerts come from national authorities. Times are shown in mainland Ecuador time (UTC−5); the Galápagos use UTC−6.
Where earthquakes happen in Ecuador
The coast: subduction
Off Esmeraldas and Manabí the Nazca Plate sinks beneath South America. The 1906 earthquake (M8.8), one of the largest ever recorded, and the 2016 Pedernales earthquake (M7.8) came from here.
The highlands: faults beneath cities
Active shallow faults run through the inter-Andean valley. The 1949 Ambato earthquake was only moderate in magnitude but devastating, and the Quito fault system runs beneath the capital.
The Amazon: intermediate-depth earthquakes
Beneath the Oriente the sinking plate produces earthquakes 100–200 km deep, such as Palora 2019 (M7.5 at 145 km).
Major earthquakes
The largest earthquakes recorded in Ecuador since 1900, according to the USGS:
- 8.8Mw
- 7.8Mw
- 7.8Mww
- 7.7Ms
- 7.5Mww
- 7.2Mw
Travelling in Ecuador
Quito, Baños and Cuenca lie in the seismically active highlands; coastal towns such as Montañita and Puerto López face the subduction zone. On the coast, strong or long shaking means move to higher ground at once.
The official report comes from the Geophysical Institute (IG-EPN). Mainland Ecuador uses UTC−5 all year.
Frequently asked questions
When was the last earthquake in Ecuador?
The first panel shows the latest earthquake in the catalogue in mainland Ecuador time. IG-EPN publishes the official report.
What was the largest earthquake in Ecuador?
The 1906 earthquake off Esmeraldas, magnitude 8.8 according to the USGS.
Are the Galápagos affected by mainland earthquakes?
The islands lie about 1,000 km offshore on a different tectonic setting; mainland earthquakes are rarely felt there, but large Pacific earthquakes can send tsunamis.
Latest known event
Latest known event · America/Guayaquil
Sources and coverage
Source: USGS · GeoNames · CC BY 4.0 · Natural Earth
The location is the reported epicentre. Offshore context is separate from a position inside a country. Small-event coverage varies by region.
Historical context
The historical catalogue includes USGS M6+ from 1900, M4.5+ from 1970 and delivered events since the project began. It is not a complete record of all small earthquakes.
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