Cambodia
Cambodia is located in Asia and has a Moderate seismic risk classification. A total of 0 earthquakes have been recorded in the country's seismic history. With a population of 17,577,760 and a land area of 181,035 km², seismic events can have significant implications for infrastructure and public safety.
Seismic Overview
Cambodia lies on the stable interior of the Indochina Block, a relatively rigid crustal fragment that has been displaced southward from mainland Asia by the extrusion tectonics driven by the India-Asia collision. The Indochina Block is bounded by major fault systems — the Red River Fault to the north and the Mae Klong Fault to the west — but Cambodia's interior is far from these active boundaries. The Mekong River Valley, which bisects the country, follows an ancient structural trough but is not associated with active seismicity. Cambodian seismic hazard is among the lowest in Southeast Asia.
The historical and instrumental seismic record of Cambodia shows only minor events, most of them too small to be felt by the general population. Occasional magnitude 4–5 earthquakes have been recorded in northwestern Cambodia near the Thai border, where more complex fault systems associated with the Three Pagodas Fault Zone approach the country. The Tonle Sap lake basin, Cambodia's great seasonal lake, occupies a tectonic depression but is not underlain by currently active faulting. The 2004 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake (magnitude 9.1) and the resulting [[tsunami]] crossed the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea toward Southeast Asia, but Cambodia's coastal exposure to the Gulf of Thailand provided some protection, and the direct impact was limited.
The deeper tectonic context places Cambodia within the broad accommodation zone where the rigid Sunda Shelf meets the more actively deforming regions of mainland Southeast Asia. GPS measurements show that Cambodia is moving roughly southward with the Sunda Block relative to the Eurasian reference frame, at very low velocities. The country's position well away from any active plate boundary means that the generation of large earthquakes beneath Cambodian territory is unlikely. The primary seismic concern for Cambodia would be [[seismic-wave]]s generated by earthquakes on the Sagaing Fault in Myanmar or the Sumatra Fault, both of which can produce strong ground motion across a wide region, though the attenuation with distance means intensity in Cambodia would be modest.
Recent Earthquakes
| Mag | Location | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No recent earthquakes. | |||
Earthquakes Near Major Cities in Cambodia
Frequently Asked Questions
Cambodia has a moderate level of seismic activity. Significant earthquakes occur periodically. A total of 0 earthquakes have been recorded in Cambodia's seismic history.
Cambodia has had 0 recorded earthquakes. This count includes events of all magnitudes detected by seismic monitoring networks. The actual number of earthquakes may be higher, as smaller events can go undetected.
Cambodia is classified in the "Moderate" seismic zone, located in Asia. Seismic zones indicate the relative level of earthquake hazard based on historical activity, geological conditions, and proximity to tectonic plate boundaries.
During an earthquake, Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Get under a sturdy desk or table, protect your head and neck, and hold on until shaking stops. Move away from windows and heavy objects. After the earthquake, check for injuries and be prepared for aftershocks.
Country earthquake risk is assessed using several factors: proximity to tectonic plate boundaries, historical seismicity (frequency and magnitude of past events), geological conditions, population density in seismic zones, and building code enforcement. QuakeFYI assigns seismic zones from 0 (no risk) to 4 (very high) based on these factors.
A seismic zone is a geographic area classified by the level of earthquake hazard. Zone 0 has negligible risk, Zone 1 has low risk, Zone 2 has moderate risk, Zone 3 has high risk, and Zone 4 has very high risk. These zones are determined by historical earthquake data, tectonic setting, and geological conditions.
Countries along the Pacific Ring of Fire experience the most earthquakes. Japan, Indonesia, Chile, the Philippines, and Iran consistently record the highest seismic activity. The United States (especially Alaska and California), Turkey, and Mexico are also among the most seismically active nations.
Population density amplifies earthquake risk because more people and infrastructure are exposed to potential damage. A magnitude 7.0 earthquake in a densely populated city can cause thousands of casualties, while the same event in an uninhabited area may cause none. Building codes and emergency preparedness greatly reduce risk in populated areas.
Seismic density measures the concentration of earthquake activity relative to a country's land area, expressed as earthquakes per 1,000 square kilometers. A high seismic density indicates frequent earthquake activity per unit area, helping compare seismic risk between countries of different sizes.
Nearby Seismic Activity
Earthquake Safety
Cambodia is in a moderate seismic risk zone. Basic earthquake preparedness is advisable.
- Drop, Cover, and Hold On during shaking
- Keep an emergency supply kit with water, food, and first aid
- Identify safe spots in each room away from windows and heavy objects
- Know tsunami evacuation routes if in a coastal area