Earthquakes in Cuenca, Ecuador: Moderate Andean Risk

Yes, Cuenca is a seismic zone, though its risk level is considered moderate within Ecuador's overall context. Located in the country's southern highlands, in Azuay province, it carries lower hazard than cities in the central highlands or the coast, but it is not free of seismic threat.

Like all of Ecuador, Cuenca is influenced by the subduction of the Nazca plate beneath the South American plate, whose main source of large earthquakes lies relatively far away, off the coast. In the city's immediate surroundings there are local geological faults in the southern Ecuadorian Andes capable of producing moderate, shallow earthquakes that, because of their proximity, can cause damage despite not-very-high magnitudes. The valuable colonial historic centre, with its old adobe and brick buildings, is especially vulnerable.

Cuenca has not suffered a catastrophic earthquake comparable to other Andean cities in recent times, but hazard studies place it in an intermediate-risk zone and recommend reinforcing heritage buildings and applying Ecuador's construction code. The 2016 Pedernales earthquake (M7.8), though far away on the northern coast, reminded the whole country of the need for seismic preparedness even in moderate-risk regions.