Malawi
Malawi: earthquakes and wildfires
Latest earthquakes and active wildfires in Malawi on a live map, the strongest earthquakes and largest fires on record, and statistics by year.
Live map – Malawi
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Latest event751 acres3 h ago31 mi S of Blantyre, Malawi
Low
Moderate
High
Very high
Extreme
Very extreme
Forecast: Copernicus EFFIS (FWI index)
Very light rain (0.1–1 mm)
Light rain (1–5 mm)
Moderate rain (5–10 mm)
Heavy rain (10–25 mm)
Very heavy rain (25–50 mm)
Extreme rain (≥ 50 mm)
Forecast: ECMWF via Copernicus EMS – GWIS
Calm (< 7 km/h, 0–1 Bf)
Light breeze (7–18 km/h, 2–3 Bf)
Moderate breeze (18–36 km/h, 4–5 Bf)
Strong breeze (36–54 km/h, 5–7 Bf)
Gale (54–72 km/h, 7–8 Bf)
Storm (≥ 72 km/h, 9+ Bf)
Forecast: ECMWF via Copernicus EMS – GWIS
Very low lightning
Low lightning
Moderate lightning
High lightning
Very high lightning
Extreme lightning
Forecast: ECMWF via Copernicus EMS – GWIS
Earthquakes
Wildfires
Floods
Storms
Volcanoes
Tsunamis
Key statistics (30 days)
Earthquakes M2.5+ and the wildfire fronts shown on the map.
Fire danger
Today
High
Tomorrow
High
Day after
High
Forecast for the area around: Mangochi. Danger can vary locally; follow official guidance. Source: Copernicus EMS – EFFIS (FWI).
Severe weather (forecast)
- Today: Rain – Very heavy rain (25–50 mm) · Dedza
- Today: Lightning – Very high lightning · Mwanza
- Tomorrow: Rain – Extreme rain (≥ 50 mm) · Chitipa
- Tomorrow: Lightning – High lightning · Liwonde
Forecast for the area around: Malawi. It does not replace warnings from the national weather service. Source: ECMWF / Copernicus EMS.
Recent events in Malawi
- 3 h agoWildfire near Blantyre, Malawi – active751 acres · 31 mi S of Blantyre, Malawi
- 26 h agoWildfire near Mzuzu, Malawi – active1,488 acres · 26 mi W of Mzuzu, Malawi
- 26 h agoWildfire near Karonga, Malawi – active1,307 acres · 6 mi SW of Karonga, Malawi
- 26 h agoWildfire near Mzuzu, Malawi – active2,535 acres · 8 mi SE of Mzuzu, Malawi
- 26 h agoWildfire near Mzuzu, Malawi – active1,149 acres · 13 mi NNE of Mzuzu, Malawi
- 26 h agoWildfire near Mzimba, Malawi – active1,722 acres · 20 mi SSE of Mzimba, Malawi
Historical overview
Earthquakes M3.0+ and significant events of other hazards.
About Malawi
Malawi has recorded 133 earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or more since 1977. The strongest was M6.1 in 1989.
Satellites have detected 82 significant wildfires here; the largest burned about 1,799,063 acres.
Know the official emergency number, prepare an emergency kit and follow the instructions of your civil protection authority.
Learn more ›Earthquakes
133 earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or more since 1977. The strongest was M6.1.
Recent earthquakes
| Mag | Location | Time (UTC) | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.4 | 35 mi ESE of Mzuzu, Malawi | 6.2 mi |
Strongest earthquakes on record
| Mag | Location | Time (UTC) | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.1 | 6 mi NNW of Salima, Malawi | 18.6 mi | |
| 6.0 | 14 mi SSW of Karonga, Malawi | 3.7 mi | |
| 5.9 | 4 mi WSW of Karonga, Malawi | 5.0 mi | |
| 5.8 | 14 mi SSW of Karonga, Malawi | 5.6 mi | |
| 5.7 | 7 mi NW of Salima, Malawi | 18.4 mi | |
| 5.5 | 16 mi NE of Nsanje, Malawi | 10.6 mi | |
| 5.5 | near Karonga, Malawi | 6.2 mi | |
| 5.4 | 34 mi ESE of Mzuzu, Malawi | 6.2 mi | |
| 5.3 | 17 mi S of Karonga, Malawi | 6.2 mi | |
| 5.2 | 8 mi SW of Karonga, Malawi | 6.2 mi | |
| 5.1 | 8 mi SW of Karonga, Malawi | 9.3 mi | |
| 5.1 | 12 mi S of Karonga, Malawi | 6.2 mi | |
| 5.1 | 14 mi S of Karonga, Malawi | 6.2 mi | |
| 5.1 | 10 mi NW of Monkey Bay, Malawi | 6.2 mi | |
| 5.1 | 21 mi E of Lilongwe, Malawi | 20.5 mi |
Earthquakes per year (M3.0+)
Year
| 2026 | 1 | M4.4 |
| 2025 | 2 | M4.6 |
| 2024 | 1 | M4.5 |
| 2022 | 4 | M4.9 |
| 2021 | 2 | M4.4 |
| 2020 | 1 | M4.2 |
| 2019 | 3 | M4.2 |
| 2018 | 6 | M5.5 |
| 2017 | 2 | M4.3 |
| 2016 | 2 | M4.6 |
| 2015 | 3 | M4.7 |
| 2014 | 1 | M5.1 |
| 2012 | 2 | M4.5 |
| 2011 | 1 | M4.3 |
| 2010 | 8 | M4.7 |
| 2009 | 26 | M6.0 |
| 2007 | 2 | M4.8 |
| 2006 | 2 | M3.8 |
| 2005 | 1 | M4.0 |
| 2003 | 1 | M5.0 |
| 2000 | 4 | M4.4 |
| 1999 | 2 | M4.5 |
| 1998 | 2 | M4.8 |
| 1996 | 3 | M4.6 |
| 1995 | 2 | M5.1 |
| 1993 | 2 | M4.6 |
| 1992 | 3 | M4.9 |
| 1990 | 4 | M5.1 |
| 1989 | 16 | M6.1 |
| 1988 | 2 | M4.3 |
| 1987 | 4 | M4.8 |
| 1986 | 7 | M4.9 |
| 1985 | 1 | M4.1 |
| 1984 | 2 | M5.1 |
| 1982 | 2 | M4.3 |
| 1980 | 3 | M4.3 |
| 1979 | 1 | M5.0 |
| 1978 | 1 | M5.1 |
| 1977 | 1 | M4.6 |
Wildfires
82 major fires since 2025. The largest covered about 1,799,063 acres.
Recent fires
| Area | Location | Since | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 751 acres | 31 mi S of Blantyre, Malawi | Active | |
| 1,488 acres | 26 mi W of Mzuzu, Malawi | Active | |
| 1,307 acres | 6 mi SW of Karonga, Malawi | Active | |
| 2,535 acres | 8 mi SE of Mzuzu, Malawi | Active | |
| 1,149 acres | 13 mi NNE of Mzuzu, Malawi | Active | |
| 1,722 acres | 20 mi SSE of Mzimba, Malawi | Active | |
| 1,799,063 acres | 25 mi SE of Mzimba, Malawi | Active | |
| 1,065 acres | 11 mi WSW of Karonga, Malawi | Active | |
| 13,998 acres | 15 mi NE of Mzuzu, Malawi | Active | |
| 1,240 acres | 17 mi ESE of Mzuzu, Malawi | Active |
Show all (147)
| Area | Location | Since | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,114 acres | 10 mi SSE of Chitipa, Malawi | Active | |
| 808 acres | 15 mi NNE of Chipeni, Malawi | Active | |
| 766 acres | 16 mi S of Mzimba, Malawi | Active | |
| 3,158 acres | 10 mi SW of Chitipa, Malawi | Active | |
| 13,924 acres | 19 mi W of Karonga, Malawi | Active | |
| 5,256 acres | 29 mi NW of Nkhotakota, Malawi | Active | |
| 5,548 acres | 12 mi SSW of Mzuzu, Malawi | Active | |
| 1,050 acres | 15 mi SE of Mzuzu, Malawi | Active | |
| 2,738 acres | 84 mi SW of Lilongwe, Malawi | Active | |
| 2,066 acres | 23 mi SSW of Ngabu, Malawi | Active | |
| 1,127 acres | 21 mi SSW of Ngabu, Malawi | Active | |
| 1,408 acres | 93 mi SW of Blantyre, Malawi | Active | |
| 939 acres | 40 mi SW of Ngabu, Malawi | Active | |
| 1,418 acres | 22 mi S of Monkey Bay, Malawi | Active | |
| 3,462 acres | 66 mi SW of Lilongwe, Malawi | Active | |
| 754 acres | 52 mi ESE of Zomba, Malawi | Active | |
| 1,878 acres | 17 mi SE of Nsanje, Malawi | Active | |
| 1,750 acres | 70 mi SSW of Lilongwe, Malawi | Active | |
| 1,594 acres | 39 mi SW of Ngabu, Malawi | Active | |
| 2,629 acres | 12 mi SSW of Ngabu, Malawi | Active | |
| 1,132 acres | 62 mi S of Lilongwe, Malawi | Active | |
| 2,019 acres | 35 mi W of Nsanje, Malawi | Active | |
| 7,796 acres | 47 mi SSE of Blantyre, Malawi | Active | |
| 2,819 acres | 44 mi W of Blantyre, Malawi | Active | |
| 6,667 acres | 8 mi SW of Ngabu, Malawi | Active | |
| 1,737 acres | 52 mi SW of Blantyre, Malawi | Active | |
| 986 acres | 40 mi SW of Ngabu, Malawi | Active | |
| 2,120 acres | 46 mi ESE of Zomba, Malawi | Active | |
| 4,225 acres | 41 mi S of Blantyre, Malawi | Active | |
| 2,441 acres | 17 mi WNW of Ngabu, Malawi | Active | |
| 6,803 acres | 74 mi S of Lilongwe, Malawi | Active | |
| 1,784 acres | 59 mi SW of Blantyre, Malawi | Active | |
| 5,481 acres | 72 mi SSW of Lilongwe, Malawi | Active | |
| 1,468 acres | 48 mi WSW of Lilongwe, Malawi | Active | |
| 944 acres | 20 mi WNW of Blantyre, Malawi | Active | |
| 951 acres | 11 mi WSW of Rumphi, Malawi | Active | |
| 855 acres | 46 mi NE of Lilongwe, Malawi | Active | |
| 6,761 acres | 11 mi ENE of Ngabu, Malawi | Active | |
| 3,815 acres | 25 mi WNW of Blantyre, Malawi | Active | |
| 1,460 acres | 62 mi W of Blantyre, Malawi | Active | |
| 2,113 acres | 47 mi SSW of Blantyre, Malawi | Active | |
| 1,787 acres | 29 mi WNW of Blantyre, Malawi | Active | |
| 845 acres | 33 mi S of Blantyre, Malawi | Active | |
| 15,634 acres | 29 mi SSW of Ngabu, Malawi | Active | |
| 3,660 acres | 10 mi ESE of Nsanje, Malawi | Active | |
| 13,860 acres | 52 mi SSE of Blantyre, Malawi | Active | |
| 1,972 acres | 9 mi NNE of Nsanje, Malawi | Active | |
| 1,977 acres | 76 mi SSW of Lilongwe, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 2,347 acres | 20 mi N of Nsanje, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 764 acres | 23 mi WNW of Nkhotakota, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 3,771 acres | near Zomba, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 1,408 acres | 18 mi SW of Ngabu, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 1,102 acres | 53 mi W of Mzuzu, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 4,505 acres | 20 mi NNE of Mzuzu, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 1,856 acres | 17 mi W of Nkhotakota, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 2,916 acres | 16 mi SW of Blantyre, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 848 acres | 5 mi NNE of Mulanje, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 19,203 acres | 59 mi WNW of Blantyre, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 4,507 acres | 18 mi WSW of Ngabu, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 1,507 acres | 21 mi NW of Blantyre, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 2,861 acres | 24 mi WNW of Nkhotakota, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 1,129 acres | 8 mi NE of Mulanje, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 1,317 acres | 7 mi WSW of Blantyre, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 845 acres | 13 mi ESE of Liwonde, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 1,033 acres | 9 mi NW of Ngabu, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 2,175 acres | 71 mi SW of Lilongwe, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 6,899 acres | 22 mi ENE of Rumphi, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 2,731 acres | 68 mi W of Blantyre, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 845 acres | 37 mi SSW of Ngabu, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 3,052 acres | 11 mi WSW of Ngabu, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 4,223 acres | 18 mi ENE of Rumphi, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 848 acres | 23 mi NNW of Blantyre, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 2,602 acres | 9 mi NE of Mangochi, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 988 acres | 4 mi S of Ntcheu, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 1,690 acres | 16 mi E of Ngabu, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 1,989 acres | 60 mi SSW of Lilongwe, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 1,962 acres | 31 mi WSW of Kasungu, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 1,315 acres | 46 mi SW of Blantyre, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 1,885 acres | 39 mi NNW of Blantyre, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 3,430 acres | 69 mi SW of Blantyre, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 2,397 acres | 21 mi S of Mzuzu, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 1,611 acres | 68 mi SW of Lilongwe, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 1,040 acres | 63 mi SW of Lilongwe, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 1,421 acres | 75 mi SW of Lilongwe, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 3,099 acres | 43 mi SW of Blantyre, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 3,828 acres | 62 mi SW of Lilongwe, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 3,299 acres | 15 mi WSW of Balaka, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 1,127 acres | 42 mi SW of Ngabu, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 1,878 acres | 12 mi W of Nsanje, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 2,879 acres | 83 mi SW of Lilongwe, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 1,549 acres | 19 mi ESE of Ngabu, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 801 acres | 25 mi N of Mwanza, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 4,611 acres | 59 mi W of Blantyre, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 2,960 acres | 13 mi W of Nkhotakota, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 3,452 acres | 4 mi ESE of Livingstonia, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 5,177 acres | 27 mi NE of Likoma, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 2,948 acres | 29 mi SW of Karonga, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 3,635 acres | 9 mi N of Livingstonia, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 2,731 acres | 82 mi E of Likoma, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 6,758 acres | 26 mi NE of Likoma, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 13,228 acres | 38 mi SSE of Mzimba, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 3,484 acres | 18 mi WSW of Karonga, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 3,366 acres | 14 mi W of Livingstonia, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 2,923 acres | 64 mi E of Likoma, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 5,365 acres | 47 mi E of Likoma, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 4,188 acres | 46 mi SSW of Karonga, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 3,741 acres | 52 mi ENE of Likoma, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 3,487 acres | 29 mi WNW of Nkhotakota, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 6,385 acres | 23 mi W of Karonga, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 7,233 acres | 25 mi ESE of Mzimba, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 7,621 acres | 52 mi E of Likoma, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 5,459 acres | 39 mi E of Likoma, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 3,156 acres | 21 mi SE of Likoma, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 22,709 acres | 47 mi E of Likoma, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 2,718 acres | 43 mi SSE of Mzimba, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 2,827 acres | 38 mi NW of Nkhotakota, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 6,781 acres | 19 mi NW of Kasungu, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 4,660 acres | 35 mi NNW of Rumphi, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 2,829 acres | 55 mi E of Likoma, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 5,901 acres | 59 mi WNW of Blantyre, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 4,376 acres | 57 mi WSW of Blantyre, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 2,689 acres | 18 mi WNW of Mwanza, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 2,975 acres | 18 mi SE of Rumphi, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 3,976 acres | 62 mi E of Likoma, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 3,944 acres | 22 mi E of Nsanje, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 3,163 acres | 41 mi ESE of Likoma, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 5,145 acres | 73 mi W of Blantyre, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 3,447 acres | 55 mi WNW of Blantyre, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 7,512 acres | 54 mi SSE of Blantyre, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 4,478 acres | 52 mi W of Blantyre, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 3,689 acres | 50 mi S of Lilongwe, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 3,566 acres | 13 mi SW of Nsanje, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 6,949 acres | 23 mi ENE of Nsanje, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 2,701 acres | 56 mi S of Lilongwe, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 2,891 acres | 41 mi SSW of Karonga, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 2,503 acres | 15 mi WSW of Livingstonia, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 3,899 acres | 52 mi SSW of Karonga, Malawi | Inactive |
Largest fires on record
| Area | Location | Since | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,799,063 acres | 25 mi SE of Mzimba, Malawi | Active | |
| 22,709 acres | 47 mi E of Likoma, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 19,203 acres | 59 mi WNW of Blantyre, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 15,634 acres | 29 mi SSW of Ngabu, Malawi | Active | |
| 13,998 acres | 15 mi NE of Mzuzu, Malawi | Active | |
| 13,924 acres | 19 mi W of Karonga, Malawi | Active | |
| 13,860 acres | 52 mi SSE of Blantyre, Malawi | Active | |
| 13,228 acres | 38 mi SSE of Mzimba, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 7,796 acres | 47 mi SSE of Blantyre, Malawi | Active | |
| 7,621 acres | 52 mi E of Likoma, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 7,512 acres | 54 mi SSE of Blantyre, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 7,233 acres | 25 mi ESE of Mzimba, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 6,949 acres | 23 mi ENE of Nsanje, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 6,899 acres | 22 mi ENE of Rumphi, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 6,803 acres | 74 mi S of Lilongwe, Malawi | Active |
Major fires per year
Year
| 2026 | 80 | 1,799,063 acres |
| 2025 | 2 | 15,634 acres |