2 earthquakes recorded in Albania regional monitoring zone
Real-Time Earthquakes in Albania
Continuous seismic tracking along the Adriatic Coastal Thrust and Albanides mountain chain.
Recent Earthquakes in Albania
LIVELive telemetry feed and seismic report for earthquakes in Albania.
Active Fault Systems & Tectonic Setting
Geodynamic boundaries, subduction dynamics, and crustal deformation zones.
Albania is situated along the convergent margin where the Adria Microplate collides with the Eurasian Plate in the Hellenic-Dinaric orogenic belt. Intense crustal shortening drives active blind thrust faulting along the Adriatic coastline and extensional graben faulting in eastern mountain basins.
Durrës Coastal Thrust Fault
Blind Reverse ThrustCompressional blind thrust fault beneath the Adriatic coastal plain; source of the 2019 earthquake.
Vlora-Lushnja Fault Zone
Thrust & Strike-SlipActive fault zone accommodating convergence between the Adriatic foreland and Albanides mountain chain.
Shkodra-Peja Transverse Fault
Regional Strike-SlipMajor tectonic boundary dividing the Dinaric and Hellenic geological domains.
Landmark & Historical Earthquakes
Significant seismic benchmarks, cataloged magnitudes, and geological impacts.
Durrës / Thumanë, Adriatic Coast
November 26, 2019Strongest earthquake to hit Albania in 40 years; blind thrusting collapsed modern residential buildings in Durrës.
Montenegro-Albania Border
April 15, 1979Severe offshore compressional thrusting causing heavy damage in Shkodra and along the northern Albanian coastline.
Dibra, Eastern Albania
November 30, 1967Shallow crustal event along the eastern graben systems causing surface fault ruptures and mountain village collapses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about seismic activity, safety, and monitoring in Albania.
Why did the 2019 Durrës earthquake cause such extensive damage?▾
The 2019 M6.4 earthquake was shallow (20 km) on a blind thrust fault directly beneath coastal mud and sand deposits, causing strong ground amplification and structural failure in buildings lacking seismic reinforcement.
Which parts of Albania have the highest earthquake risk?▾
The Adriatic coastal belt (Durrës, Vlora, Lezha, Shkodra) and the Ionian zone in the south feature the highest seismic hazard in Albania.
How does IGEO monitor seismic activity in Albania?▾
The Institute of GeoSciences (IGEO) at the Polytechnic University of Tirana operates digital broadband seismic stations across Albania, streaming telemetry in real time.