TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - While the Earth is geologically diverse, some regions experience significantly more seismic activity than others. This is particularly true for countries situated along convergent plate boundaries, where tectonic plates collide and trigger frequent earthquakes.
A report by Statista shows that China and Indonesia have topped the list of countries with the most recorded earthquakes, with 187 and 173 events, respectively, between 1990 and 2025. From minor tremors to devastating, deadly events, both nations are no strangers to the destructive power of seismic forces.
To better understand these global earthquake patterns, let's explore the top 10 countries with the most earthquakes over the past few decades.
10 Countries with the Most Earthquakes (Between 1990 and 2025)
1. China - 187 Earthquakes
Topping the list with 187 recorded earthquakes, China is positioned at the intersection of the Eurasian, Pacific, and Indian tectonic plates, making it particularly prone to continental earthquakes.
Given the country’s largely mountainous terrain, many of its seismic events lead to secondary disasters such as landslides and debris flows. In China’s history, the 1556 Shaanxi earthquake remains one of the most devastating ever recorded, injuring an estimated 830,000 people.
2. Indonesia - 173 Earthquakes
Located on the Ring of Fire, a seismically active zone encircling the Pacific Ocean characterized by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes, Indonesia recorded 173 earthquakes between 1990 and 2025. The country sits at the convergence of the Indo-Australian, Eurasian, and Pacific Plates. Since these plate boundaries are primarily underwater, Indonesia is especially vulnerable to tsunamis triggered by large, shallow undersea earthquakes. The catastrophic 2004 Sumatra earthquake is a prime example of this danger.
3. Iran - 112 Earthquakes
Iran is an earthquake-prone country, primarily because it sits at the collision zone of the Eurasian and Arabian tectonic plates. This ongoing tectonic movement results in frequent seismic activity across the country, particularly along the Caspian Sea. With 112 recorded earthquakes between 1990 and 2025, Iran has experienced both frequent tremors and devastating quakes. One of the deadliest was the 1990 Manjil–Rudbar earthquake, which claimed the lives of over 40,000 people.
4. Japan - 103 Earthquakes
Japan is another country on the Ring of Fire, where three tectonic plates collide, namely the Pacific, Philippine Sea, and Pacific Ocean. While many of Japan's earthquakes originate under the sea, not all occur offshore. Some seismic events happen within the tectonic plates themselves, meaning they can strike directly beneath populated areas on land.
Of the 103 recorded earthquakes between 1990 and 2025, the 2011 Thoku earthquake is widely recognized as one of the most devastating. This undersea quake triggered a massive tsunami and caused widespread destruction, thousands of deaths, and the Fukushima nuclear crisis.
5. United States - 79 Earthquakes
The United States is undoubtedly one of the countries with the most earthquakes, as evident in its 79 recorded events between 1990 and 2025. As noted by USGS.gov, the western U.S. experiences significantly more seismic activity than other regions of the country.
Several geological factors contribute to this, including the region’s relatively thin crust and high heat flow. One of the clearest examples of tectonic activity is the famous San Andreas Fault, which marks the boundary between the Pacific and North American plates and is responsible for many of California’s major earthquakes.
6. Turkey - 65 Earthquakes
Turkey lies at the crossroads of the Anatolian, Eurasian, and Arabian tectonic plates, making it highly earthquake-prone. As these plates constantly move and collide, Turkey experienced 65 recorded earthquakes between 1990 and 2025. Many of these events have occurred repeatedly in the same location, with devastating consequences and death tolls ranging from thousands to tens of thousands.
7. India - 59 Earthquakes
India recorded 59 earthquakes, largely due to the ongoing collision between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate. This tectonic activity is most intense in areas such as the Himalayas and the Northeastern region. Over the years, India has experienced several major earthquakes that have shaken the nation, including the 2001 Bhuj Earthquake in Gujarat and the 2011 Sikkim Earthquake.
8. Philippines - 55 Earthquakes
As one of the countries with the most earthquakes, the Philippines is known for having a complex tectonic setting. Situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Eurasian Plate subducts beneath the islands along several trenches. While Palawan is relatively stable, most of the country lies within the Philippine Mobile Belt, a geologically active zone with frequent earthquakes and volcanoes. As reported by Statista, the Philippines recorded 55 earthquakes between 1990 and 2025.
9. Peru - 51 Earthquakes
Peru’s proneness to earthquakes is largely due to its location along the boundary of the Nazca Plate and the South American Plate. The latter is moving westward toward the Pacific Ocean, overriding the Nazca Plate and placing immense strain on the Earth's crust. Among the many earthquakes that have struck the country, the 1970 Ancash earthquake is widely regarded as Peru’s most destructive.
10. Afghanistan - 39 Earthquakes
Rounding out the list, Afghanistan recorded 39 earthquakes between 1990 and 2025. The country's seismic activity stems from the ongoing collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates, particularly in the Hindu Kush region. Earthquakes here often occur at shallow depths because the region's plate movement is more lateral than a direct collision.
From China to Turkey and Afghanistan, these countries with the most earthquakes reveal clear seismic patterns shaped by subduction zones, fault lines, and crustal collisions.
Despite the recent Russia earthquake, which measured at a powerful M8.8 and triggered a tsunami across the Pacific, the country does not rank among the top 10 for the number of earthquakes recorded during this period.
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