Caribbean
What tectonic plate is Saint Kitts and Nevis on?
Saint Kitts and Nevis sits entirely on the Caribbean Plate.
- Plates
- 1
- M6.5+ quakes since 1900
- 1
- Holocene volcanoes
- 2
- Land area
- 233 km²
Plates under Saint Kitts and Nevis
Share of Saint Kitts and Nevis's land area on each plate (PB2002 model, Natural Earth outlines).
Plate boundaries
2 plate boundaries run through or along Saint Kitts and Nevis: the Caribbean-North American boundary (transform, about 1.7 cm/yr) and the Caribbean-South American boundary (convergent, about 1.9 cm/yr).
- Caribbean and North American: transform, 1.7 cm/yr
- Caribbean and South American: convergent, 1.9 cm/yr
Earthquakes in Saint Kitts and Nevis
Large earthquakes are uncommon in Saint Kitts and Nevis. Since 1900 the USGS has recorded 1 of magnitude 6.5 or more in or just off the country.
| Earthquake | Magnitude | Year | Depth | Plate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 km SE of Market Shop, Saint Kitts and Nevis | M6.5 | 1985 | 13 km | Caribbean |
Volcanoes in Saint Kitts and Nevis
The Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program lists 2 volcanoes active in the last 12,000 years in Saint Kitts and Nevis.
- Liamuiga Stratovolcano · 1,156 m Last eruption 160
- Nevis Peak Stratovolcano · 985 m Last eruption Unknown
Frequently asked questions
What tectonic plate is Saint Kitts and Nevis on?
Saint Kitts and Nevis sits entirely on the Caribbean Plate.
Is Saint Kitts and Nevis on a plate boundary?
2 plate boundaries run through or along Saint Kitts and Nevis: the Caribbean-North American boundary (transform, about 1.7 cm/yr) and the Caribbean-South American boundary (convergent, about 1.9 cm/yr).
Does Saint Kitts and Nevis get earthquakes?
Large earthquakes are uncommon in Saint Kitts and Nevis. Since 1900 the USGS has recorded 1 of magnitude 6.5 or more in or just off the country. The largest was the M6.5 18 km SE of Market Shop, Saint Kitts and Nevis in 1985.
Are there volcanoes in Saint Kitts and Nevis?
The Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program lists 2 volcanoes active in the last 12,000 years in Saint Kitts and Nevis.