USA Seismic Zones Map

Explore US earthquake zones map, The United States is divided into several seismic zones, each representing varying levels of earthquake risk. The highest risk areas, known as Seismic Zones 3 and 4, include regions along the West Coast, notably California, which experiences frequent and severe seismic activity due to the San Andreas Fault. The New Madrid Seismic Zone in the central United States, affecting states like Missouri and Tennessee, poses a significant risk for large earthquakes despite a lower frequency of events. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) continually monitors these zones to provide critical data on potential earthquakes, helping to inform building codes and preparedness strategies to mitigate disaster impacts.

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Explore US earthquake zones map to see most and least hazardous parts of United States of America.

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Seismic Zones in the United States

The United States experiences a wide range of seismic activity due to its diverse geological landscape. Seismic zones, regions that are prone to earthquakes, are distributed across the country with varying degrees of risk. Understanding these zones is crucial for urban planning, construction, and disaster preparedness.

Major Seismic Zones in the United States

The Pacific Northwest (Cascadia Subduction Zone):

Known for its potential to generate massive earthquakes, the Cascadia Subduction Zone extends from Vancouver Island to Northern California. This zone is capable of producing a megathrust earthquake, which can exceed a magnitude of 9.0. Historical data indicate the last significant event occurred in 1700, providing a stark reminder of the possible future risks.

California (San Andreas Fault)

The San Andreas Fault is a well-known transform fault extending about 800 miles through California. It constitutes the boundary between the Pacific and North American tectonic plates. Notorious for the devastating 1906 San Francisco earthquake, this fault is a critical focus for seismic studies and preparedness. Southern California is particularly at risk for significant seismic activity.

Alaska (Aleutian Subduction Zone)

Alaska experiences frequent earthquakes, with the Aleutian Subduction Zone being a central point of seismic activity. In 1964, the Great Alaska Earthquake, which had a magnitude of 9.2, demonstrated the catastrophic potential of this region. Alaska consistently records the highest number of significant earthquakes in the U.S. annually.

Intermountain West (Wasatch Front)

Stretching from southern Idaho, through Utah, to southwestern Wyoming, the Wasatch Front is an area with a high seismic risk due to multiple fault lines. The region is densely populated, raising concerns about potential earthquake impacts on urban areas like Salt Lake City. The fault system here can produce significant earthquakes, though they occur less frequently than in California or Alaska.

Central United States (New Madrid Seismic Zone)

Spanning parts of Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky, the New Madrid Seismic Zone was the site of a series of powerful earthquakes in 1811-1812. These quakes reached magnitudes of up to 7.5, causing widespread damage. While the probability of a high-magnitude earthquake in this area is lower, the potential impact on central U.S. infrastructure is significant due to the region's construction practices and soil characteristics.

Eastern United States (Charleston Seismic Zone)

The Charleston Seismic Zone in South Carolina associates with a history of significant seismic activity, including the devastating 1886 Charleston earthquake, which had a magnitude of around 7.0. This zone remains a concern for seismologists due to its potential to cause substantial damage in the eastern U.S., where buildings are generally not designed to withstand earthquakes.

Seismic Hazard Mitigation

Efforts to mitigate the impact of seismic activity in these zones include:

Building Codes and Retrofits

Modern construction codes require buildings to meet specific standards designed to endure seismic forces. Retrofitting older structures to comply with these codes is also an ongoing effort, particularly in high-risk areas.

Early Warning Systems

Advances in technology enable early warning systems that can provide crucial seconds to minutes of warning before the shaking starts. Such systems are being deployed and refined in several regions, including California.

Public Education and Preparedness

Education campaigns aim to inform residents of seismic risks and appropriate safety measures. Regular drills and accessible resources help communities stay prepared for potential earthquakes.

List of Earthquakes in the USA

This is a list of significant earthquakes and tsunamis that had their epicenters in areas that are now part of the United States. The list also includes those events that impacted U.S. regions. The events listed in italics occurred in regions that were not part of the United States at the time of the event.

Earthquakes in United States

Date	State(s)	Fatalities	Magnitude
June 11, 1585	Aleutian Islands, Alaska	Unknown	9.2 Mw
January 26, 1700	Washington, Oregon, California	Unknown	8.7-9.2 Mw
November 18, 1755	Massachusetts	0	5.9 Mw
July 21, 1788	Alaska	Unknown	8.0 Ms
August 6, 1788	Alaska	Unknown	8.0 Ms
December 16, 1811	Missouri	100−500	7.5-8.0 Mw
December 8, 1812	California	40+	6.9 Mla, 7.5 Mw
December 12, 1812	California	1	7.1-7.5 Mw
June 2, 1823	Hawaii	0	7.0 ML
June 1838	California	0	6.8-7.2 Mw
January 5, 1843	Arkansas	0	6.3 Mw
January 9, 1857	California	2	7.9 Mw
April 24, 1867	Kansas	0	5.1 Mfa
April 2, 1868	Hawaii	77	7.9 Mfa
October 21, 1868	California	30	6.3-6.7 ML
February 20, 1871	Hawaii	0	6.8 ML
March 26, 1872	California	27	7.4-7.9 Mw
December 14, 1872	Washington	0	6.5-7.0 Mw
November 23, 1873	California-Oregon	0	7.3 ML
October 26, 1880	Alaska	0	7.0 Ms
August 10, 1884	New York	2	4.9-5.5 Mfa
August 31, 1886	South Carolina	60	6.9-7.3 Mw
April 19, 1892	California	1	6.4 ML
April 21, 1892	California	0	6.4 ML
October 31, 1895	Missouri	0	6.6 ML
September 4, 1899	Alaska	0	8.2 Ms
September 10, 1899	Alaska	0	8.2 Mw
December 25, 1899	California	6	6.4 Ms
October 9, 1900	Alaska	0	7.9 Mw
November 14, 1901	Utah	0	7.0 Mw
December 31, 1901	Alaska	0	7.8 Ms
January 1, 1902	Alaska	0	7.8 M
August 27, 1904	Alaska	0	7.3 Ms
April 18, 1906	California	3,000+	7.9 Mw
August 17, 1906	Alaska	0	8.4 Mw
September 27, 1909	Indiana	0	5.1 Mfa
June 23, 1915	California	6	6.2 M
October 3, 1915	Nevada	0	6.8 Mw
April 21, 1918	California	0	6.8 M
September 29, 1921	Utah	0	6.3 Mw
January 31, 1922	California	0	7.6 MGR
January 22, 1923	California	0	7.2 MGR
June 28, 1925	Montana	0	6.6 Mw
June 29, 1925	California	13	6.5-6.8 Mw
October 24, 1927	Alaska	0	7.3 Mw
November 4, 1927	California	0	7.3 Mw
March 7, 1929	Alaska	0	7.8 Mw
August 16, 1931	Texas	0	6.5 Mw
December 21, 1932	Nevada	0	7.2 Mw
March 10, 1933	California	120	6.4 Mw
December 31, 1934	California	0	7.1 M
March 12, 1934	Utah	2	6.6 Mw
October 18, 1935	Montana	4	6.2 Ms
July 15, 1936	Oregon, Washington	0	5.8 ML
July 22, 1937	Alaska	0	7.3 Ms
November 10, 1938	Alaska	0	8.2 Mw
May 18, 1940	California	9	6.9 Mw
December 20, 1940	New Hampshire	0	5.3 Mw
December 24, 1940	New Hampshire	0	5.5 Mw
November 3, 1943	Alaska	0	7.6 Mw
September 5, 1944	New York	0	5.8 Mw
April 1, 1946	Alaska	165	8.6 Mw
October 16, 1947	Alaska	0	7.2 Mw
December 4, 1948	California	0	6.4 Mw
April 13, 1949	Washington	8	6.7 Mw
July 21, 1952	California	14	7.3 Mw
July 6, 1954	Nevada	0	6.6 Mw
August 24, 1954	Nevada	0	6.8 Mw
December 16, 1954	Nevada	0	7.1 Mw
December 16, 1954	Nevada	0	6.8 Mw
March 9, 1957	Alaska	0	8.6 Mw
April 7, 1958	Alaska	0	7.3 Mw
July 9, 1958	Alaska	5 (tsunami)	7.8 Mw
August 18, 1959	Montana, Wyoming, Idaho	28+	7.2 Mw
March 27, 1964	Alaska	143	9.2 Mw
February 4, 1965	Alaska	0	8.7 Mw
April 29, 1965	Washington	7	6.7 Mw
July 2, 1965	Alaska	0	7.8 Mw
August 9, 1967	Colorado	0	5
November 26, 1967	Colorado	0	5
April 8, 1968	California	0	6.6 Mw
November 9, 1968	Illinois	0	5.4 mb
October 2, 1969	California	1	5.6, 5.7 ML
February 9, 1971	California	58-65	6.5-6.7 Mw
July 30, 1972	Alaska	0	7.6 Mw
February 2, 1975	Alaska	0	7.6 Ms
November 29, 1975	Hawaii	2	7.7 Mw
November 8, 1980	California	5	7.2 Mw
May 2, 1983	California	0	6.5 Mw
November 16, 1983	Hawaii	0	6.7 Mw
October 28, 1983	Idaho	2	7.3 Mw
April 24, 1984	California	0	6.2 Mw
May 7, 1986	Alaska	0	8.0 Mw
July 8, 1986	California	0	6.0 Mw
July 21, 1986	California	0	6.4 ML
October 1, 1987	California	8	5.9 Mw
November 23, 1987	California	0	6.2 Ms
November 24, 1987	California	2	6.6 Mw
November 30, 1987	Alaska	0	7.9 Mw
March 6, 1988	Alaska	0	7.8 Mw
October 17, 1989	California	63	6.9 Mw
September 4, 1989	Alaska	0	7.1 Mw
May 30, 1991	Alaska	0	7.0 Mw
June 28, 1991	California	2	5.6 Mw
August 17, 1991	Oregon	0	7.0 Mh
April 23, 1992	California	0	6.3 Ms
April 25-26, 1992	California	0	6.5-7.2 Mw
June 28, 1992	California	3	7.3 Mw
June 28, 1992	California	0	6.5 Mw
September 2, 1992	Utah	0	5.8 ML
March 25, 1993	Oregon	0	5.6 Md
September 20, 1993	Oregon	2	6.0 Md
January 17, 1994	California	57	6.7 Mw
September 1, 1994	California	0	7.0 Mw
April 14, 1995	Texas	0	5.7 Mw
June 10, 1996	Alaska	0	7.9 Mwc
September 25, 1998	Pennsylvania	0	5.2 mbLg
October 16, 1999	California	0	7.1 Mw
December 6, 1999	Alaska	0	7.0 Mw
January 10, 2001	Alaska	0	7.0 Mw
February 28, 2001	Washington	1	6.8 Md
November 3, 2002	Alaska	0	7.9 Mw
November 17, 2003	Alaska	0	7.8 Mwc
December 22, 2003	California	2	6.5 Mw
June 15, 2005	California	0	7.2 Mwc
September 10, 2006	Florida	0	5.9 Mwc
October 15, 2006	Hawaii	0	6.7 Md
October 30, 2007	California	0	5.5 Mw
February 21, 2008	Nevada	0	5.9 Mw
April 18, 2008	Illinois	0	5.2 Mw
July 29, 2008	California	0	5.4 Mw
January 9, 2010	California	0	6.5 Mw
April 4, 2010	California	0	7.2 Mw
August 22, 2011	Colorado	0	5.3 Mwr
August 23, 2011	Virginia	0	5.8 Mw
November 5, 2011	Oklahoma	0	5.7 Mww
January 5, 2013	Alaska	0	7.5 Mw
March 29, 2014	California	0	5.1 Mw
June 23, 2014	Alaska	0	7.9 Mww
July 25, 2014	Alaska	0	6.0 Mw
August 24, 2014	California	1	6.0 Mw
January 24, 2016	Alaska	0	7.1 Mw
September 3, 2016	Oklahoma	0	5.8 Mww
January 23, 2018	Alaska	0	7.9 Mww
May 4, 2018	Hawaii	0	6.9 Mww
November 30, 2018	Alaska	0	7.1 Mww
July 4, 2019	California	1	6.4 Mw
July 5, 2019	California	0	7.1 Mw
March 18, 2020	Utah	0	5.7 Mw
March 31, 2020	Idaho	0	6.5 Mww
May 15, 2020	Nevada	0	6.5 ML
July 22, 2020	Alaska	0	7.8 Mw
August 9, 2020	North Carolina	0	5.1 Mw
October 19, 2020	Alaska	0	7.6 Mww
July 29, 2021	Alaska	0	8.2 Mw
December 20, 2022	California	2	6.4 Mw

Here is a list of earthquake swarms and significant earthquakes that impacted the United States, including those with epicenters outside U.S. borders and tsunamis affecting the U.S.:

Earthquake Swarms in the United States:

• 1962–71 Denver earthquake swarm.
• Enola earthquake swarm.
• 2008 Reno earthquakes.
• Guy-Greenbrier earthquake swarm.
• Oklahoma earthquake swarms (2009–present).

Earthquakes Impacting the United States with Epicenters Outside its Borders:

• 1925 Charlevoix–K

Amouraska earthquake – A magnitude 6.2 earthquake, causing no injuries or fatalities.

• 1979 Imperial Valley earthquake – A magnitude 6.4 earthquake with its epicenter just inside Mexico, resulting in significant damage and injuries on both sides of the border, including 60 in the U.S.
• 2010 Baja California earthquake (near Southern California) – A magnitude 7.2 earthquake, leading to 4 fatalities and 100 injuries, none in the United States.

Earthquakes Not Directly Affecting the United States but Causing Tsunamis That Did:

• 1960 Valdivia earthquake and tsunami – A magnitude 9.

5 earthquake, causing between 2200 and 6000 fatalities, including 61 in Hilo, Hawaii.

• 2006 Kuril Islands earthquake and tsunami – A magnitude 8.3 earthquake, with no reported injuries or fatalities.
• 2009 Samoa earthquake and tsunami – A magnitude 8.0 earthquake with an epicenter southwest of American Samoa generated tsunami waves up to 16 feet, killing 34 people in American Samoa and causing extensive damage.
• 2010 Chile earthquake and tsunami – A magnitude 8.8 earthquake, resulting in approximately 525 fatalities and an unknown number of injuries, with no reported impact in the United States.
• 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami – A magnitude 9.0 earthquake, leading to 15,850–28,000 fatalities and 6,011 injuries, including one fatality and an unknown number of injuries in the United States.
• 2012 Haida Gwaii earthquake – A magnitude 7.8 earthquake with its epicenter on Moresby Island in British Columbia, leading to the evacuation of over 100,000 people to higher ground in the state of Hawaii.

Strongest Earthquakes by States and Territories of U.S.

Date	State(s)	Magnitude
18 October 1916	Alabama	5.1 ML
27 March 1964	Alaska	9
26 June 1917	American Samoa	8.3-8.5
3 May 1887	Arizona	8
16 December 1811	Arkansas	7.6-7.9
9 January 1857	California	8
8 November 1882	Colorado	7
16 May 1791	Connecticut	4.4-5.0 Ms
30 November 2017	Delaware	4.1 ML
23 August 2011	District of Columbia	6
12 January 1879	Florida	4
5 March 1914	Georgia (U.S. state)	5
22 September 1902	Guam	8
2 April 1868	Hawaii	8
28 October 1983	Idaho	7
9 November 1968	Illinois	5
27 September 1909	Indiana	5
12 November 1934	Iowa	5.0-5.1
24 April 1867	Kansas	5
16 December 1811	Kentucky	7.6-7.9
19 October 1930	Louisiana	4.2 ML
21 March 1904	Maine	6
23 August 2011	Maryland	6
18 November 1755	Massachusetts	6
10 August 1947	Michigan	4.6 ML
9 July 1975	Minnesota	4.6 ML
16 December 1811	Mississippi	7.6-7.9
16 December 1811	Missouri	7.6-7.9
17 August 1959	Montana	7
15 November 1877	Nebraska	7
16 December 1954	Nevada	7
1 June 1638	New Hampshire	7
29 November 1783	New Jersey	5
15 November 1906	New Mexico	6
5 September 1944	New York	6
21 February 1916	North Carolina	5
8 July 1968	North Dakota	4
9 March 1937	Ohio	5
3 September 2016	Oklahoma	6
26 January 1700	Oregon	8.7-9.2
25 September 1998	Pennsylvania	5
2 May 1787	Puerto Rico	8.0-8.3
10 June 1951	Rhode Island	5
31 August 1886	South Carolina	6.9-7.3
2 June 1911	South Dakota	5
16 December 1811	Tennessee	7.6-7.9
16 August 1931	Texas	7
13 November 1901	Utah	7
18 November 1867	U.S. Virgin Islands	8
31 March 1953	Vermont	4
23 August 2011	Virginia	6
26 January 1700	Washington (state)	8.7-9.2
23 August 2011	West Virginia	6
6 May 1947	Wisconsin	unk.
17 August 1959	Wyoming	7