Is the world experiencing more earthquakes now than before?

What the report says

Al Jazeera published a visual explainer on 17 August 2026 examining whether the world is experiencing more earthquakes now than in the past. Drawing on a decade of earthquake data, the report looks at 2026 in context and explains how earthquakes form, where they are most common and what makes them especially dangerous.

The article notes a run of major quakes in recent months, including events in Indonesia, Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela, which have killed large numbers of people. It says that by mid-August 2026, 91 earthquakes of magnitude 6 or above had been recorded worldwide, including 11 above magnitude 7. That pace is described as slightly ahead of the average for the previous decade, but still within the normal range.

Using US Geological Survey data, Al Jazeera says the world typically records about 20,000 earthquakes a year, though most are too small to notice. It also points out that earthquakes are not seasonal and cannot be predicted with certainty. Instead, scientists focus on long-term risk estimates and early warning systems, while building codes and local preparedness remain crucial.

The explainer emphasizes that earthquake damage depends not only on magnitude but also on depth, proximity to population centers, construction quality and the possibility of secondary hazards such as tsunamis or landslides. It places most seismic activity in the Pacific Ring of Fire and the Alpide belt, while noting that the largest earthquakes on record have reached magnitude 9 or above.