Earthquakes resulting from the dynamics of the Earth’s lithospheric plates can release enormous energy and shape new global landscapes. Certain regions, due to their geological location, are characterized by increased seismic activity. We will consider several earthquake-prone countries and examine the features that make them most susceptible to earthquakes.
These countries are located all over the world – from the Pacific Ring of Fire to the collision zones of continental plates. Each of them has a unique combination of tectonic forces, the study of which allows us to understand the remarkable and sometimes catastrophic phenomena of earthquakes.
7 countries with the highest seismic activity
The prevalence of earthquakes around the world is closely related to the complex movement of tectonic plates beneath the Earth’s surface. Seven countries serve as prime examples of regions where the dynamics of these forces manifest with the highest intensity.
Japan
Japan is located on an archipelago of islands that lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire and regularly experiences seismic events caused by the convergence of several tectonic plates. Four tectonic plates are in constant motion beneath Japan:
- The Pacific plate, covered with a large number of faults caused by the slow drift of the plate to the west and its subduction into the planet’s mantle.
- The North American plate is gradually moving away from the Eurasian platform, which leads to the formation of an entire chain of underwater volcanoes and powerful faults.
- The Philippine Plate which is slowly subducting and being pulled by gravity under the Pacific Plate.
Such complex dynamics, the presence of powerful subduction zones and the interaction of lithospheric plates cause frequent earthquakes. Thus, over the past 30 years, Japan has experienced:
- the devastating earthquake of magnitude 7.3 in Kobe (1995), which claimed 6,400 lives;
- the strong earthquake in the Tohoku region in 2011, which caused a powerful tsunami and an accident at the Fukushima-1 nuclear power plant. As a result, 19,000 people died and over 450,000 were left homeless;
- the Kumamoto earthquakes, which occurred in 2016 and involved two tremors with magnitudes of 7.2 and 6.3, caused the deaths of 200 people and injured another 3,000;
- the earthquakes in Fukushima Prefecture in 2021 and 2022 affected 9 prefectures, leaving residents without homes or electricity.
Due to high seismic risks, Japan became the first country to implement an early warning system for earthquakes and tsunamis. Japan is also a leader in implementing earthquake-resistant building standards.
Indonesia
The Indonesian archipelago is located at the junction of the Indo-Australian, Eurasian and Pacific plates. This complex lithospheric formation leads to high seismic activity and Indonesia is constantly facing consequences such as powerful earthquakes and tsunamis. So, on December 26, 2004, an underwater earthquake with a magnitude of 9.3, which occurred near Sumatra and caused a deadly tsunami with wave heights of up to 15 meters, killed 300,000 people.
Iran
The country is located in the Alpine-Himalayan seismic belt, where the Arabian plate collides with the Eurasian platform. The processes of collisions and subduction generate earthquakes in the region. Thus, on November 13, 2017, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck the border region with Iraq, as a result hundreds of residents died and tens of thousands were left homeless.
Turkey and Syria
The countries are located on the border of the Eurasian and African plates. The North Anatolian Fault, one of the largest transform zones, absorbs the energy of movement between these plates, causing frequent earthquakes. The 2023 Turkish-Syrian earthquake, characterized by two seismic tremors with magnitude of 7.8 and 7.5, as well as a series of powerful aftershocks, claimed the lives of more than 40,000 people. About 110,000 people were injured as a result of building collapses.
China
China is experiencing seismic activity due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates. Himalayan Mountain range is the result of this ongoing collision. On December 19, 2023, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake occurred in a remote mountainous region located on the northern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China. Even in sparsely populated mountainous region, the earthquake claimed the lives of several hundred people. One-fifth of the region’s population was evacuated due to the risk of aftershocks.
Chile and Peru
The countries are located along a subduction zone where the Nazca Plate is being forced under the South American Plate. This subduction causes powerful earthquakes – the territory of Chile and Peru is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. One of the most powerful seismic events in this region was the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that occurred on February 27, 2010. This event caused a tsunami on the coast of Chile and Peru, led to numerous casualties and destruction.
Mexico
The country is located on the border of the North American and Pacific plates. Subduction of the Cocos Plate under the North American Plate is the main factor of seismic activity in Mexico. On September 20, 2022, Mexico experienced a 7.6 magnitude earthquake. This earthquake not only resulted in casualties but also brought back memories of the two most devastating earthquakes in 1985 and 2017. All three events occurred on the same day – such a coincidence caused a lot of emotions among the residents of the region.