Earthquake Preparedness in Ecuador — A Practical Guide for Expats

Ecuador sits directly on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where the Nazca tectonic plate dives beneath the South American plate along the entire coastline. This subduction zone is one of the most seismically active on Earth. Earthquakes here are not a possibility — they're a certainty. The question is when, not if.

If you're moving to Ecuador or already living here, earthquake preparedness isn't optional knowledge. It's essential. This guide covers the real seismic risk by region, exactly how to prepare, what to do when the ground starts shaking, and what comes after.

Ecuador's Seismic History — This Is Real

Ecuador averages thousands of detectable earthquakes per year. Most are too small to feel. Some are not.

Recent significant earthquakes:

• April 2016, Pedernales (7.8 magnitude) — The big one in recent memory. Struck the northern coast at 6:58 PM on a Saturday. Killed 673 people, injured 6,274, destroyed over 7,000 buildings. The towns of Pedernales, Muisne, and Canoa were devastated. Portoviejo and other inland cities also suffered major damage. It was felt as far away as Bogotá, Colombia.
• March 2023, Balao (6.8 magnitude) — Struck near the southern coast between Guayaquil and Machala. Killed at least 18 people. Buildings damaged in Guayaquil, Machala, and Cuenca (where it was strongly felt despite being 150+ km away).
• January 2024, various (5.0+ swarm) — A series of moderate quakes along the coast reminded everyone that the subduction zone is always active.
• Historical: The 1906 Ecuador-Colombia earthquake (8.8 magnitude) is one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded on Earth. The 1949 Ambato earthquake (6.8) killed over 5,000 people and destroyed the entire city center.

This is not theoretical. This is recent history.

Seismic Risk by Region

Not all of Ecuador carries the same risk. Where you live matters.

The Coast (Highest Risk)

The Pacific coast — Esmeraldas, Manabí, Santa Elena, Guayas, El Oro — sits closest to the subduction zone and carries the highest seismic risk. This is where the largest earthquakes originate. If you live in Manta, Bahía de Caráquez, Salinas, Puerto López, or any coastal town, you are in the highest risk zone.

Additional concern: tsunami risk. A major offshore earthquake can generate a tsunami that reaches the coast within 15–30 minutes. In some areas, you may have as little as 10 minutes.

Quito (Moderate to High Risk)

Quito sits in a valley flanked by active fault lines, including the Quito Fault System that runs directly beneath the city. The soil in some neighborhoods (particularly northern Quito and the valleys) can amplify seismic waves. The 1868 earthquake destroyed much of old Quito. Modern building codes have improved significantly, but many older buildings in the Centro Histórico and southern neighborhoods predate current standards.

Cuenca (Moderate Risk)

Cuenca sits in a highland valley with relatively lower seismic risk compared to the coast and Quito, but it is NOT earthquake-free. The 2023 Balao earthquake was felt strongly in Cuenca — buildings swayed, objects fell from shelves, and people ran into the streets. The Girón-Santa Isabel fault system is active to the south. Cuenca's main vulnerability is its many older colonial and republican-era buildings, particularly in El Centro, which were not built to modern seismic standards.

The Oriente / Amazon (Lower Risk)

Eastern Ecuador generally has lower seismic risk, though it's not zero. The volcanos along the Andes (Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, Reventador, Sangay) add volcanic seismic activity to the mix.

What to Do During an Earthquake

When the shaking starts, you have seconds to react. Know this before you need it.

If You're Indoors

Drop, Cover, Hold On. This is the internationally recognized protocol and it works.

1. DROP to your hands and knees. This prevents the shaking from throwing you down.
2. COVER your head and neck under a sturdy table or desk. If no table is available, crouch against an interior wall and cover your head with your arms.
3. HOLD ON to whatever is covering you. If you're under a table, grab a leg. The table will move — move with it.

Do NOT:

• Run outside during the shaking. Falling debris, glass, and building facades are the biggest killers. The doorway trick is a myth — doorways in modern buildings are no stronger than any other part of the structure.
• Stand in front of windows. They shatter.
• Use elevators. Ever.
• Try to run down stairs during strong shaking. Wait until the shaking stops.

If You're Outdoors

Move to an open area away from buildings, power lines, trees, and signs. Drop and cover your head. Stay in the open until the shaking stops.

If You're Driving

Pull over to the side of the road, away from overpasses, bridges, buildings, and power lines. Stay in the car with your seatbelt on. The car's suspension actually provides some protection from shaking.

If You're at the Coast

This is critical: if you feel strong earthquake shaking that lasts more than 20 seconds while you're at the coast, move to high ground immediately. Do not wait for an official tsunami warning. Do not wait for sirens. Do not go to the beach to look at the ocean. Head inland and uphill. You may have less than 15 minutes.

The official evacuation route signs (blue signs with a wave icon and an arrow) are posted in all coastal towns. Know where yours are BEFORE you need them.

What to Do After an Earthquake

The shaking has stopped. Now what?

Immediate Actions (First 10 Minutes)

1. Check yourself and others for injuries. Provide first aid if you're able.
2. Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas, open windows, leave the building, and don't use any electrical switches or open flames.
3. Check for structural damage. Look for cracks in walls (especially diagonal cracks — these indicate structural failure), shifted door frames, leaning walls, or any sign the building has been compromised. If in doubt, get out.
4. Do NOT re-enter a damaged building. Aftershocks can bring down structures that survived the initial quake.
5. Move to your pre-designated meeting point. If you live with others, you should have agreed on a spot to gather after a quake. A park or open plaza works well.

The Hours After

• Expect aftershocks. They can continue for hours, days, or weeks. Some will be nearly as strong as the main event. Stay alert.
• Check your water supply. Earthquakes can break water mains. If you have water in your building, fill containers immediately — supply may be interrupted.
• Charge your phone. Power outages are common after earthquakes. Charge everything while you still can.
• Stay off the roads unless you need to evacuate. Emergency vehicles need clear routes.
• Get information. ECU 911 is the national emergency coordination center. Their app and social media accounts provide real-time updates.

Your Emergency Kit

Every household in Ecuador should have an earthquake emergency kit. This is not paranoia — it's basic preparedness. Keep it in an easily accessible location (not a locked closet you can't reach if the building is damaged).

Essentials:

• Water — One gallon per person per day, minimum 3 days. In Ecuador, buy the big 6-liter bidones from Supermaxi or any tienda.
• Flashlight and extra batteries — Power outages are the most common earthquake aftermath. A headlamp is even better (keeps your hands free).
• First aid kit — Bandages, antiseptic, pain medication, any prescription medications you take regularly. Pharmacies (Fybeca, Pharmacys, Cruz Azul) sell pre-made kits for $15–$30.
• Copies of important documents — Passport, cedula, visa, insurance cards, property/rental agreement. Keep photocopies in a waterproof bag in your kit AND digital copies in cloud storage.
• Cash in small bills — ATMs and card machines won't work during a power outage. Keep $200–$300 in $5, $10, and $20 bills. Ecuador uses US dollars, so no currency conversion issue.
• Phone charger and power bank — A fully charged 20,000mAh power bank can keep your phone running for 3–4 days with moderate use.
• Medications — A 7-day supply of any prescriptions you take. Rotate these regularly so they don't expire.
• Whistle — If you're trapped, a whistle is audible when your voice isn't. Attach one to your kit.
• Sturdy shoes — After an earthquake, floors are covered in broken glass and debris. Keep a pair of shoes under your bed or right next to it. This is one of the most practical pieces of advice from earthquake survivors.
• Dust masks — Earthquakes generate enormous amounts of dust from crumbling concrete and plaster.
• Non-perishable food — Granola bars, canned goods, crackers. Enough for 3 days.

Emergency Numbers and Apps

Memorize these:

• 911 — Ecuador's single emergency number for police, fire, and medical. It works nationwide and dispatchers can often find an English speaker if you ask.
• ECU 911 app — Download this immediately. It provides real-time emergency alerts, earthquake notifications, and lets you send emergency reports with your GPS location. Available on iOS and Android. Search "ECU 911" in your app store.
• Instituto Geofísico (IG-EPN) — Ecuador's seismological monitoring agency. Their Twitter/X account (@IGaboraEC) posts earthquake reports within minutes of any event. Their website (igepn.edu.ec) has real-time seismic monitoring.
• US Embassy (Quito) — (02) 398-5000. Register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so the embassy can contact you during emergencies.

Building Safety — What to Look For

Not all buildings are created equal in earthquake country. This matters when choosing where to live.

Red Flags

• Unreinforced masonry (URM) — Older buildings made of brick, adobe, or block without steel reinforcement are the most dangerous in earthquakes. Many colonial and older buildings in Cuenca's Centro Histórico, Quito's old town, and smaller cities are URM construction. Beautiful to look at. Dangerous when the ground shakes.
• Soft-story buildings — Buildings with large open ground floors (parking garages, storefronts) and residential floors above. The open ground floor acts as a weak point and can collapse, pancaking the floors above.
• Visible structural cracks — Diagonal cracks running through walls (not hairline settling cracks — actual structural cracks), especially near windows and door frames, indicate previous earthquake damage that may not have been repaired properly.
• Buildings on fill or reclaimed land — Soil liquefaction during earthquakes can cause buildings to sink or tilt. This is a concern in some coastal areas and valley fills.

Green Flags

• Post-2001 construction — Ecuador updated its building code (Norma Ecuatoriana de Construcción, NEC) significantly after 2001, and again after the 2016 earthquake. Buildings constructed under these codes have reinforced concrete frames, proper foundations, and seismic design considerations.
• Reinforced concrete frame buildings — Look for visible concrete columns and beams. This is the standard modern construction method in Ecuador and performs well in earthquakes.
• Low-rise buildings — In general, well-built 1–4 story buildings are safer than tall buildings, particularly in areas without strict code enforcement.

Questions to Ask Your Landlord

When renting, ask directly: "When was this building constructed?" and "Has it been inspected or retrofitted since the 2016 earthquake?" You won't always get a straight answer, but the question itself signals that you're paying attention. If they don't know or deflect, that tells you something too.

Insurance Considerations

Standard renter's insurance in Ecuador (if you even have it — most expats don't) typically does NOT cover earthquake damage. This is an explicit exclusion you need to check.

If you want earthquake coverage, you'll need to ask specifically for "cobertura contra terremotos" or a "póliza multirriesgo" that includes seismic events. Companies like Seguros Equinoccial, AIG Ecuador, and Liberty Seguros offer these policies. Expect to pay $200–$600/year for contents coverage depending on your declared value and location.

For homeowners: earthquake insurance on the structure itself is separate and more expensive. Your mortgage lender may require it.

Practical Tips From People Who've Been Through It

These are the things earthquake survivors consistently emphasize:

• Shoes by the bed. This comes up over and over. After a nighttime earthquake, floors are covered in glass. You cannot safely evacuate barefoot.
• Flashlight by the bed. Same logic. Power goes out instantly.
• Know your building's exits. Walk the exit routes when the lights are on so you can navigate them in the dark.
• Keep your phone charged. Make it a habit to plug in before bed. A dead phone during an emergency is a serious vulnerability.
• Tell your family your plan. If you live with a partner or kids, everyone should know: where to shelter during the quake, where to meet after, and what to grab on the way out.
• Water. Always have water stored. After the 2016 earthquake, some communities went days without water service.
• Don't panic. Most earthquakes you'll feel in Ecuador are moderate (3.0–5.0) and cause no damage. The building will sway, things might rattle, and it'll be over in 15–30 seconds. The severe ones are rare, and if your building is sound and you follow the drill, you'll be fine.

The Bottom Line

Living in earthquake country requires awareness, not anxiety. Millions of Ecuadorians live their entire lives here. The key differences between someone who's prepared and someone who isn't come down to a few simple actions: keep an emergency kit, know what to do when the shaking starts, understand the basics of building safety, and have a plan with the people you live with.

Do these things once, update them occasionally, and then get on with enjoying life in one of the most beautiful countries on Earth. The earthquake risk is real, but manageable. Preparation is the difference between a scary experience and a dangerous one.