How often does Nicaragua have earthquakes?

Nicaragua recorded 1 earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or greater in the past 90 days. Over the last 5 years it has averaged about 6.2 notable quakes (magnitude 5.0 or greater) per year.

What was the largest recent earthquake in Nicaragua?

The largest earthquake in Nicaragua in the last 5 years was a magnitude 6.6 near 55 km WSW of Masachapa, Nicaragua.

When was the last major earthquake in Nicaragua?

The most recent earthquake of magnitude 5.0 or greater in Nicaragua was a magnitude 5.2 near 9 km WSW of El Crucero, Nicaragua.

What magnitude earthquake can you feel?

Most people begin to feel earthquakes around magnitude 3.0, though it depends on depth and distance. Shallow quakes close by feel stronger than deep or distant ones of the same size.

AUTHORITATIVE DATA SNAPSHOTUpdated Sep 12, 2026, 9:12 PM UTC

EARTHQUAKES · NICARAGUA

Nicaragua Earthquakes

Recent and significant earthquakes in Nicaragua, drawn from the USGS global earthquake feed and mapped with magnitude and time.

CURRENT STATUSNo active earthquake alerts

Set alerts for Nicaragua

ANSWER FIRST

Current earthquakes in Nicaragua (0)

Nicaragua has recorded 1 earthquake of magnitude 5.0 or greater in the past 90 days.

No active items in this snapshot

That is normal. Conditions can change, so check official local guidance when weather is developing.

No active items in this snapshot

That is normal. Conditions can change, so check official local guidance when weather is developing.

Nicaragua map

Interactive map loads in your browser

Event statusHighElevatedAdvisory Tectonic boundary

Flat vector map

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Recent earthquake history

Nicaragua has recorded 1 earthquake of magnitude 5 or greater in the past 90 days.

Largest in 5 yearsM6.655 km WSW of Masachapa, Nicaragua · Apr 21, 2022

Most recent M5.0+M5.29 km WSW of El Crucero, Nicaragua · Jun 26, 2026

Notable quakes (M5+) per year6.2average over 5 years

62021

112022

32023

72024

12025

32026

Notable earthquakes (magnitude 5.0+) per year in Nicaragua

Notable earthquakes in Nicaragua (last 5 years)

Magnitude	Location	Date
M6.6	55 km WSW of Masachapa, Nicaragua	Apr 21, 2022
M6.5	80 km SW of Jiquilillo, Nicaragua	Sep 22, 2021
M6.3	62 km S of Masachapa, Nicaragua	Nov 9, 2021
M5.9	72 km SSW of Masachapa, Nicaragua	Nov 9, 2021
M5.7	72 km S of Masachapa, Nicaragua	Nov 9, 2021
M5.6	45 km SSW of Jiquilillo, Nicaragua	Mar 17, 2024

Get an alert for NicaraguaOne email when a hazard becomes active here. Confirm by email, unsubscribe any time.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions

How often does Nicaragua have earthquakes?: Nicaragua recorded 1 earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or greater in the past 90 days. Over the last 5 years it has averaged about 6.2 notable quakes (magnitude 5.0 or greater) per year.
What was the largest recent earthquake in Nicaragua?: The largest earthquake in Nicaragua in the last 5 years was a magnitude 6.6 near 55 km WSW of Masachapa, Nicaragua.
When was the last major earthquake in Nicaragua?: The most recent earthquake of magnitude 5.0 or greater in Nicaragua was a magnitude 5.2 near 9 km WSW of El Crucero, Nicaragua.
What magnitude earthquake can you feel?: Most people begin to feel earthquakes around magnitude 3.0, though it depends on depth and distance. Shallow quakes close by feel stronger than deep or distant ones of the same size.

CONTEXT

About earthquakes in Nicaragua

Most earthquakes are too small to feel. The USGS reports millions of quakes a year worldwide, and the vast majority are below magnitude 2.5. A page showing no recent activity usually means no notable quakes, not that nothing is being measured.

Magnitude is a measure of the energy released at the source; shaking you actually feel also depends on depth and how far you are from the epicenter. A shallow magnitude 4 nearby can feel stronger than a deep magnitude 5 far away.

Be prepared

Make a household planPeople, pets, routes, and contacts Build an emergency kitFood, water, medication, and power Know your local risksUnderstand hazards where you live

STAY AHEAD OF CHANGING CONDITIONS

Get alerts for Nicaragua earthquakes

Choose the places and hazards you care about. We’ll keep the signal clear and the frequency under your control.

Set up alerts