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  1. Home
  2. Before you go
  3. Staying safe and avoiding danger
  4. Earthquakes and tsunamis

Earthquakes and tsunamis

Last Updated
Friday, 04/11/2022

Millions of earthquakes occur around the world each year. Most are too small or deep to cause significant problems. However, larger ones have the potential to cause serious injury and damage.

Explore this page to learn:

  • The dangers and risks
  • advice before travelling
  • where earthquakes and tsunamis are more common

This page is for Australians planning to travel to a destination where earthquakes are common. If you're already travelling and need help, see what to do if there's been an earthquake.

Dangers and risks

In an earthquake, most people are injured or die from falling buildings, debris and fires. If the earthquake causes a tsunami, many deaths are from drowning.

If a major earthquake occurs, it is possible that the following will happen.

  • The violent shaking can fracture structures. Weak building facades may collapse onto the streets. Glass windows and panels may shatter, and roof tiles may dislodge. Once weakened, buildings can collapse and trap or kill people inside.
  • Electricity, water and gas may fail or be switched off. Earthquakes often damage water, gas and electricity lines. Ruptured gas lines can ignite, especially if the earthquake dislodged or exposed electrical wiring. Fallen powerlines may be a hazard.
  • Sprinkler systems and fire alarms may trigger.
  • Phone systems may shut down for significant periods after an earthquake. Both landlines and mobile services. You may not have internet access.
  • A tsunami may occur in coastal areas or areas bordering large lakes. Tsunamis can happen with little warning.
  • Aftershocks can occur in the minutes, days, weeks and even months after an earthquake. These may be stronger than the first tremor.
  • Without running water and electricity, sanitation is an issue. Waterborne infectious diseases, including cholera, are common.

In developing countries, the impacts of an earthquake or tsunami may increase.

Poor building regulations and infrastructure may mean buildings and utilities are less able to withstand damage. Emergency responders may not have the level of training or resources as their counterparts in more developed nations.

Before you travel

  1. Read our travel advisory for your destination. For some, we provide advice and information on earthquake and tsunami risks.
  2. Subscribe for updates. We will email you when we update our advice for your destination. We can send critical alerts by text if you add your mobile number.
  3. Do your research. Find out how often your destination experiences earthquakes. And whether they're at risk of tsunamis. Know how effective their emergency response is.
  4. Get travel insurance. Make sure it covers you for cancellations or changes if there's an earthquake before you get there. Check if it covers you if an earthquake happens when you're there.
  5. Be cautious about booking accommodation in high-rise buildings. Especially in developing countries. Only book accommodation built to withstand earthquakes.
  6. If you're staying near the coast in an earthquake area, know the warning signs of a tsunami. You may only have minutes to get to safety. There may not be time for an official warning.
  7. Accommodation by the beach is at higher risk during a tsunami. Higher up the hill may be a wiser choice.
  8. Know what to do during an earthquake or tsunami to stay safe. Read our advice and that of your hotel and local emergency services.

Destinations where earthquakes and tsunamis are more common

Some destinations that Australians often travel to experience more frequent earthquakes. Some of these are:

  • Canada
  • Indonesia
  • Japan
  • New Zealand
  • Thailand
  • Tonga
  • United States, particularly California
  • Vanuatu

This list isn't exhaustive. For more information, see the map of earthquake-prone areas (Global Seismic Hazard Assessment Program).

Living overseas in an earthquake-prone area

If you live in an area where earthquakes are common, plan ahead.

  • Identify a room in your house or workplace that can be used as a shelter following a disaster. Water, food, and clean air are vital when sheltering in place.
  • Have a basic emergency supply kit available at all times. Include items for individual needs, such as medications and infant formula.
  • Have a pair of closed-toed shoes within reach of your bed to use if you must walk over debris and broken glass following a major earthquake.

Some countries provide advice on how to prepare for an earthquake, including how to prepare basic emergency kits and emergency plans, for example:

  • Canada: Get prepared
  • New Zealand: Get ready, Get thru
  • United States: Ready.gov - Earthquakes

Follow the advice of local emergency services in the country you're in.

Learn more about earthquakes and tsunamis (Geoscience Australia).

Read more

  • If you're already travelling and need help, see what to do if there's been an earthquake.
  • Waterborne infectious diseases, including cholera, are common after an earthquake.
  • Understand how and when we may help. Read the Consular Services Charter.

See also

  • Learn more about earthquakes, volcanic activity and tsunamis (Geoscience Australia).
  • Choose a policy that covers you for earthquakes. Read the travel insurance buying guide (CHOICE)

Related content

Severe weather

Read our advice on travelling to places that experience extreme weather events.

View details
A volcano has erupted

Find out what to do if you're travelling overseas and a volcano has erupted in or near your location. Learn how and where to get help.

View details
While you’re away

Most Australians have a great time overseas, however, sometimes things don't go as planned. See our page for general advice when things go wrong overseas.

View details

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Emergency consular assistance

The Australian Government provides 24-hour consular emergency assistance.

+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas

1300 555 135 from within Australia

For how we can help you overseas see the Consular Services Charter.

Enquiries and feedback

For non-urgent enquiries, or to provide feedback on consular services that you've recently received, contact us online.

For information on notarial services, email legalisations.australia@dfat.gov.au

To report a vulnerability you’ve identified on this website or to find out more about the department’s Vulnerability Disclosure Policy visit the DFAT website

About us

Smartraveller is provided by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

For more information go to about us.

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Main navigation

  • Home
  • Before you go
    • The basics
      • Destinations
      • Europe and the Schengen Area
      • Getting a foreign visa
      • Travel insurance
      • CHOICE travel insurance buying guide
    • Who you are
      • Academics
      • Colour, race, ethnicity, or religion
      • Dual nationals
      • Journalists
      • LGBTQIA+
      • Mature and older travellers
      • School leavers
      • Travelling with children
      • Travelling with a disability
      • Travelling with pets
      • Women
    • Activities
      • Adoption
      • Antarctica and the Arctic
      • Backpacking
      • Business
      • Living and working overseas
      • Marriage
      • Retiring overseas
      • Sports and adventure
      • Studying
      • Surrogacy
      • Volunteering
    • Major events
      • Cultural events
        • Travel overseas for Anzac Day
      • Religious events
        • Travel overseas for Ramadan
        • Travel overseas for Hajj
      • Sporting events
        • Rugby League Las Vegas 2025
    • Health
      • Infectious diseases
      • Going overseas for a medical procedure
      • Medical assistance overseas
      • Medication and medical equipment
      • Mental health
      • Organ transplant tourism
      • Pregnancy
      • Reciprocal health care agreements
      • What happens if you die overseas
    • Staying safe
      • Armed conflict
      • Assault
      • Cyber security
      • Earthquakes and tsunamis
      • Kidnapping
      • Natural disasters
      • Partying safely
      • Piracy
      • Protests and civil unrest
      • Scams
      • Severe weather
      • Sexual assault
      • Terrorism
      • Theft and robbery
    • Laws
      • Carrying or using drugs
      • Child sex offences
      • Female genital mutilation
      • Forced marriage
    • Getting around
      • Air travel
      • Boat travel
      • Cruising
      • Public transport
      • Road safety
  • Destinations
    • View all destinations
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • Middle East
    • Pacific
  • While you're away
    • When things go wrong
      • Arrested or jailed
      • Lost property
      • Medical assistance
      • Money problems
      • Someone is missing
      • Someone died
    • Crime overseas
      • Assaulted
      • Robbed or mugged
      • Sexually assaulted
    • Crisis or emergency
      • Earthquake
      • Severe weather
      • Volcanic eruption
      • Bushfire
      • Nuclear incident
    • Australia's biosecurity and border controls
  • Urgent help
  • Our services
    • Consular State of Play
      • Data
      • Case studies
      • Images
      • Videos
      • Audio
      • Historical data
    • Consular Services Charter
      • ميثاق الخدمات القنصلية (Arabic)
      • 领事服务章程 (Chinese Simplified)
      • 領事服務章程 (Chinese Traditional)
      • Panduan Layanan Konsuler (Indonesian)
      • 領事サービス憲章 (Japanese)
      • 영사 서비스 헌장 (Korean)
      • กฎบัตรว่าด้วยบริการต่าง ๆ ของกงสุล (Thai)
      • Quy định về Dịch Vụ Lãnh Sự (Vietnamese)
    • Communities
      • العربية (Arabic)
      • Bahasa Indonesia
      • 中文 简体 (Chinese Simplified)
      • 中文繁體 (Chinese Traditional)
      • 日本語 (Japanese)
      • 한국어 (Korean)
      • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
      • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
      • Filipino community
      • Indian community
    • Crises
    • News and updates
    • Notarial services
      • Documents we can legalise
      • Documents in Australia
      • Documents overseas
      • Certificate of No Impediment
      • Notarial forms
    • Passport services
    • Resources
      • Consular Privacy Collection Statement
    • Subscription
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