How often does Svalbard and Jan Mayen have earthquakes?

Svalbard and Jan Mayen recorded 1 earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or greater in the past 90 days. Over the last 5 years it has averaged about 2.6 notable quakes (magnitude 5.0 or greater) per year.

What was the largest recent earthquake in Svalbard and Jan Mayen?

The largest earthquake in Svalbard and Jan Mayen in the last 5 years was a magnitude 6.5 near 34 km NE of Olonkinbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen.

When was the last major earthquake in Svalbard and Jan Mayen?

The most recent earthquake of magnitude 5.0 or greater in Svalbard and Jan Mayen was a magnitude 5.0 near 285 km SW of Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen.

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 Nov 10, 2026, 9:44 AM UTC

EARTHQUAKES · SVALBARD AND JAN MAYEN

Svalbard and Jan Mayen Earthquakes

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

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Current earthquakes in Svalbard and Jan Mayen (0)

Svalbard and Jan Mayen has recorded 1 earthquake of magnitude 5.0 or greater in the past 90 days.

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HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Recent earthquake history

Svalbard and Jan Mayen has recorded 1 earthquake of magnitude 5 or greater in the past 90 days.

Largest in 5 yearsM6.534 km NE of Olonkinbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen · Mar 10, 2025

Most recent M5.0+M5.0285 km SW of Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen · Sep 6, 2026

Notable quakes (M5+) per year2.6average over 5 years

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Notable earthquakes (magnitude 5.0+) per year in Svalbard and Jan Mayen

Notable earthquakes in Svalbard and Jan Mayen (last 5 years)

Magnitude	Location	Date
M6.5	34 km NE of Olonkinbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen	Mar 10, 2025
M5.9	215 km W of Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen	Jul 18, 2022
M5.7	209 km W of Olonkinbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen	Feb 14, 2022
M5.4	245 km WSW of Olonkinbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen	May 8, 2022
M5.3	254 km WSW of Olonkinbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen	May 16, 2023
M5.2	46 km NE of Olonkinbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen	Oct 5, 2025

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COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions

How often does Svalbard and Jan Mayen have earthquakes?: Svalbard and Jan Mayen recorded 1 earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or greater in the past 90 days. Over the last 5 years it has averaged about 2.6 notable quakes (magnitude 5.0 or greater) per year.
What was the largest recent earthquake in Svalbard and Jan Mayen?: The largest earthquake in Svalbard and Jan Mayen in the last 5 years was a magnitude 6.5 near 34 km NE of Olonkinbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen.
When was the last major earthquake in Svalbard and Jan Mayen?: The most recent earthquake of magnitude 5.0 or greater in Svalbard and Jan Mayen was a magnitude 5.0 near 285 km SW of Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen.
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 Svalbard and Jan Mayen

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.

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