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Many Asian nations experience frequent seismic activity, with China and Indonesia among the most affected.
India ranks seventh globally in seismic activity. (News18 Hindi)
An earthquake is the sudden shaking of the Earth’s surface caused by the movement of tectonic plates. It occurs when energy stored in the Earth’s crust is released sending seismic waves through the ground. Earthquakes can range from mild tremors to destructive events that cause damage and tsunamis.
As 2025 began with hopes for a promising year, a series of earthquakes struck southern Tibet on the morning of January 7, near the Nepal border. The tremors were widely felt across northern India, including Bihar, where a significant earthquake measuring 7.1 in magnitude occurred at 6:35 AM. The epicentre was located 93 kilometres northeast of Lobuche, close to the Nepal-Tibet frontier.
This earthquake was the strongest in the region since the devastating April 2015 Nepal earthquake, which claimed approximately 10,000 lives.
Countries Most Prone To Earthquakes
Many Asian nations experience frequent seismic activity, with China and Indonesia among the most affected. However, Japan records the highest number of earthquakes in relative terms worldwide.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), Indonesia is the most earthquake-prone country, having recorded 2,212 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or higher. This places it ahead of Mexico and the Philippines in terms of total seismic events.
Countries with the Most Major Earthquakes (1990–2024)
While Indonesia experiences frequent tremors, China tops the list when considering the most devastating earthquakes. Data from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicates that between 1990 and early 2024, China experienced 186 major earthquakes—defined as those causing at least 1 million dollars in damage, resulting in at least 10 deaths, reaching a magnitude of 7.5, or triggering tsunamis.
In comparison, Indonesia recorded 166 significant earthquakes during this period, followed by Iran with 109, and Japan with 98.
Here is the ranking of the countries with the highest number of major earthquakes from 1990 to 2024 in point format:
China – 186 major earthquakes
Indonesia – 166 major earthquakes
Iran – 109 major earthquakes
Japan – 98 major earthquakes
United States – 78 major earthquakes
Turkey – 62 major earthquakes
India – 58 major earthquakes
Philippines – 55 major earthquakes
Italy – 23 major earthquakes
India’s Position in Global Seismic Activity
India ranks as the seventh most earthquake-prone country in the world, having experienced 58 major earthquakes between 1990 and 2024. The country’s high seismic risk is due to its geographical location at the convergence of multiple tectonic plates, combined with its complex geological structure and rapid urban expansion, often with unregulated construction.
According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), nearly 59 per cent of India’s land area is vulnerable to moderate to severe earthquakes, with intensities reaching VII or higher on the MSK scale.
The Himalayan region is particularly at risk for high-magnitude earthquakes, with several major quakes exceeding 8.0 in magnitude in the past century. Some of the most significant earthquakes in this region include:
Shillong Earthquake (1897) – Magnitude 8.7
Kangra Earthquake (1905) – Magnitude 8.0
Bihar-Nepal Earthquake (1934) – Magnitude 8.3
Assam-Tibet Earthquake (1950) – Magnitude 8.6
Given India’s high exposure to seismic risks, proactive disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure development are essential to mitigating the impact of future earthquakes.
How To Prepare For An Earthquake?
Secure Your Home – Fasten heavy furniture, shelves, and appliances to walls to prevent them from toppling. Store breakable and heavy items on lower shelves.
Assemble an Emergency Kit – Keep essentials like bottled water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, extra batteries, a first aid kit, medications, important documents, and cash in an easily accessible place.
Create a Family Emergency Plan – Decide on a safe meeting place in case family members get separated. Keep emergency contact numbers written down and saved on your phone.
Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold – During an earthquake, drop to your hands and knees, take cover under a sturdy table or desk, and hold on until the shaking stops.
Identify Safe and Risky Areas – Stay away from windows, glass, mirrors, and anything that could fall. Doorways are not the safest spots—seek shelter under strong furniture instead.
Know How to Shut Off Utilities – Learn how to turn off gas, electricity, and water in case of leaks or damage to avoid fires and flooding.
Stay Informed – Keep a battery-powered radio, mobile phone, or emergency alert app to receive real-time updates from local authorities.
Practice Regular Drills – Conduct earthquake drills at home, school, or work so that everyone knows what to do when a quake strikes.
