FEMA rates relative earthquake risk for Bernalillo County as relatively moderate and reports modeled annual probability of 0.12% per year for the area.
FEMA summary
FEMA's profile for Bernalillo County reports modeled annual probability of 0.12% per year for earthquake. FEMA's relative risk rating for the area is relatively moderate; the annualized frequency is a separate measure.
Hazard metrics cover FEMA county-equivalent geographies rather than individual addresses or parcels. Use local or state hazard maps before making a property, insurance, retrofit, or evacuation decision.
Select a hazard to inspect FEMA's figures for Bernalillo County.
Earthquake
FEMA combines its area-wide loss estimate and community data in this relative rating. Event frequency appears separately below.
Relative FEMA score
97.7/100
FEMA models earthquake annualized frequency as the probability of a qualifying occurrence in a given year across the FEMA geography shown.
The area loss estimate combines FEMA's modeled losses to buildings, population, and agriculture across Bernalillo County. It is not an estimate for a home or address.
City risk summary
For Albuquerque, FEMA rates earthquake risk for Bernalillo County as relatively moderate, with a relative score of 97.7/100. The next highest relative scores are lightning at 94.4/100 and landslide at 86.7/100.
Using FEMA data for Bernalillo County, Albuquerque is #1 among 4 covered New Mexico entries for earthquake risk. Rio Rancho is about 13 straight-line miles from the Albuquerque map point; its FEMA figures cover Sandoval County.
For homeowners and movers
Preparedness actions
Living in Albuquerque? Learn how to handle water storage, sanitation, and security in a small space.
The map shows Albuquerque. All FEMA figures on this page cover Bernalillo County.
The FEMA figures cover Bernalillo County. Address-level conditions require local maps, building records, and property details.
FEMA rates relative earthquake risk for Bernalillo County as relatively moderate. Its modeled annual probability is 0.12% per year. Damage at a specific address also depends on the building, soil, elevation, and exact hazard zone.
Among 4 New Mexico cities covered by this directory, Albuquerque is #1 for relative earthquake risk based on FEMA's score for Bernalillo County. Homes within Albuquerque can have different soil, elevation, construction, and hazard-zone conditions.
In FEMA's data for Bernalillo County, the highest relative ratings are Earthquake (Relatively Moderate), Lightning (Relatively High), and Landslide (Relatively Moderate). FEMA uses estimated losses and community data along with event frequency when assigning these ratings.
The hazard numbers cover Bernalillo County. For an individual home, check local fault, flood, fire, evacuation, and building records for the exact address.
FEMA gives Bernalillo County an overall relative risk rating of relatively moderate. Conditions at a specific home depend on its hazard zones, building type, maintenance, insurance, and access to evacuation routes and emergency services.
Start with this step: Check whether your home has an unbraced cripple wall, an unbolted foundation, or an unsecured water heater; use a qualified local professional for retrofit decisions. Secure tall furniture and heavy objects that could fall where people sleep or sit. Use Ready.gov Earthquakes and local emergency guidance for a complete plan.
Distances are measured between city coordinates.
| City | Distance | Earthquake rating | Relative score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rio Rancho, NM | 13 mi | Relatively Low | 92.2 |
| Santa Fe, NM | 54 mi | Relatively Low | 91.9 |
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View productHazard metrics come from FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 (March 2023). City population and coordinates come from SimpleMaps US Cities Database. For current conditions, use official local maps, warnings, inspections, and professional advice.