Central Region
Central Region: earthquakes and wildfires
Latest earthquakes and wildfires in Central Region (Malawi) on a live map, the strongest earthquakes and largest fires on record.
Live map – Central Region
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Latest event3.3 km²27 h ago25 km NNE of Chipeni, 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.
Recent events in Central Region
- 27 h agoWildfire near Chipeni, Malawi – active3.3 km² · 25 km NNE of Chipeni, Malawi
- 27 h agoWildfire near Nkhotakota, Malawi – active21 km² · 47 km NW of Nkhotakota, Malawi
- 27 h agoWildfire near Lilongwe, Malawi – active11 km² · 135 km SW of Lilongwe, Malawi
- 27 h agoWildfire near Lilongwe, Malawi – active14 km² · 106 km SW of Lilongwe, Malawi
- 27 h agoWildfire near Lilongwe, Malawi – active7.1 km² · 112 km SSW of Lilongwe, Malawi
- 27 h agoWildfire near Lilongwe, Malawi – active4.6 km² · 100 km S of Lilongwe, Malawi
Historical overview
Earthquakes M3.0+ and significant events of other hazards.
About Central Region
Central Region has recorded 34 earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or more since 1980. The strongest was M6.1 in 1989.
Satellites have detected 14 significant wildfires here; the largest burned about 28 km².
Know the official emergency number, prepare an emergency kit and follow the instructions of your civil protection authority.
Learn more ›Earthquakes
34 earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or more since 1980. The strongest was M6.1.
Recent earthquakes
No earthquakes of magnitude 2.5+ in the last 12 months.
Strongest earthquakes on record
| Mag | Location | Time (UTC) | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.1 | 10 km NNW of Salima, Malawi | 30.0 km | |
| 5.7 | 12 km NW of Salima, Malawi | 29.6 km | |
| 5.1 | 35 km E of Lilongwe, Malawi | 33.0 km | |
| 4.9 | 46 km E of Lilongwe, Malawi | 10.0 km | |
| 4.9 | 32 km ENE of Lilongwe, Malawi | 33.0 km | |
| 4.8 | 29 km E of Salima, Malawi | 46.4 km | |
| 4.7 | 8 km SE of Salima, Malawi | 10.0 km | |
| 4.7 | 39 km NNE of Lilongwe, Malawi | 33.0 km | |
| 4.7 | 51 km NNW of Lilongwe, Malawi | 10.0 km | |
| 4.6 | 13 km NE of Chipoka, Malawi | 10.0 km | |
| 4.6 | 10 km WNW of Salima, Malawi | 10.0 km | |
| 4.6 | 8 km SW of Salima, Malawi | 33.0 km | |
| 4.6 | 10 km S of Salima, Malawi | 10.0 km | |
| 4.4 | 27 km N of Salima, Malawi | 10.0 km | |
| 4.4 | 25 km ENE of Salima, Malawi | 36.1 km |
Earthquakes per year (M3.0+)
Year
| 2025 | 1 | M4.6 |
| 2022 | 1 | M3.9 |
| 2016 | 1 | M4.4 |
| 2015 | 1 | M4.4 |
| 2010 | 1 | M4.7 |
| 2006 | 2 | M3.8 |
| 2000 | 2 | M4.2 |
| 1998 | 1 | M4.8 |
| 1996 | 1 | M4.6 |
| 1995 | 1 | M4.6 |
| 1993 | 2 | M4.6 |
| 1990 | 4 | M5.1 |
| 1989 | 11 | M6.1 |
| 1988 | 1 | M4.3 |
| 1986 | 2 | M3.5 |
| 1982 | 1 | M3.9 |
| 1980 | 1 | M4.2 |
Wildfires
14 major fires since 2026. The largest covered about 28 km².
Recent fires
| Area | Location | Since | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.3 km² | 25 km NNE of Chipeni, Malawi | Active | |
| 21 km² | 47 km NW of Nkhotakota, Malawi | Active | |
| 11 km² | 135 km SW of Lilongwe, Malawi | Active | |
| 14 km² | 106 km SW of Lilongwe, Malawi | Active | |
| 7.1 km² | 112 km SSW of Lilongwe, Malawi | Active | |
| 4.6 km² | 100 km S of Lilongwe, Malawi | Active | |
| 28 km² | 120 km S of Lilongwe, Malawi | Active | |
| 22 km² | 116 km SSW of Lilongwe, Malawi | Active | |
| 5.9 km² | 77 km WSW of Lilongwe, Malawi | Active | |
| 3.5 km² | 75 km NE of Lilongwe, Malawi | Active |
Show all (29)
| Area | Location | Since | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.0 km² | 123 km SSW of Lilongwe, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 3.1 km² | 37 km WNW of Nkhotakota, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 7.5 km² | 27 km W of Nkhotakota, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 12 km² | 39 km WNW of Nkhotakota, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 8.8 km² | 114 km SW of Lilongwe, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 4.0 km² | 7 km S of Ntcheu, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 8.1 km² | 97 km SSW of Lilongwe, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 7.9 km² | 50 km WSW of Kasungu, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 6.5 km² | 110 km SW of Lilongwe, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 4.2 km² | 101 km SW of Lilongwe, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 5.8 km² | 120 km SW of Lilongwe, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 15 km² | 99 km SW of Lilongwe, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 12 km² | 134 km SW of Lilongwe, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 12 km² | 21 km W of Nkhotakota, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 14 km² | 47 km WNW of Nkhotakota, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 11 km² | 62 km NW of Nkhotakota, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 27 km² | 31 km NW of Kasungu, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 15 km² | 81 km S of Lilongwe, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 11 km² | 91 km S of Lilongwe, Malawi | Inactive |
Largest fires on record
| Area | Location | Since | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 km² | 120 km S of Lilongwe, Malawi | Active | |
| 27 km² | 31 km NW of Kasungu, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 22 km² | 116 km SSW of Lilongwe, Malawi | Active | |
| 21 km² | 47 km NW of Nkhotakota, Malawi | Active | |
| 15 km² | 99 km SW of Lilongwe, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 15 km² | 81 km S of Lilongwe, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 14 km² | 47 km WNW of Nkhotakota, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 14 km² | 106 km SW of Lilongwe, Malawi | Active | |
| 12 km² | 21 km W of Nkhotakota, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 12 km² | 134 km SW of Lilongwe, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 12 km² | 39 km WNW of Nkhotakota, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 11 km² | 62 km NW of Nkhotakota, Malawi | Inactive | |
| 11 km² | 135 km SW of Lilongwe, Malawi | Active | |
| 11 km² | 91 km S of Lilongwe, Malawi | Inactive |