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Earthquakes · Washington
Was that an earthquake in Washington?
Latest earthquakes in Washington, live from the USGS
No earthquakes of magnitude 1 or more were recorded in Washington in the last 24 hours, as of 7:08 a.m. PST. The most recent of magnitude 2.5 or more was M3.4, 14 km WSW of Conconully, Washington, on Nov 14, 12:30 a.m. PST.
Strongest in the last 30 days: M3.4, 14 km WSW of Conconully, Washington, Nov 14, 12:30 a.m. PST.
Strongest in the last 12 months: M4.2, 6 km WNW of Wauna, Washington, Sep 29.
Gold dots are the last 24 hours. Rows marked "auto" are first, automatic solutions; the USGS revises them, often within the hour.
Last 24 hours, magnitude 1 and up
None in Washington in the last 24 hours.
Last 7 days, magnitude 2.5 and up
| Magnitude | Where | When | Depth | Felt reports | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M3.4 | 14 km WSW of Conconully, Washington | 9 km (6 mi) | 92 | USGS · Felt it? | |
| M2.7 | 52 km W of Neah Bay, Washington | 5 km (3 mi) | — | USGS · Felt it? |
Last 30 days, magnitude 2.5 and up
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Did we just have an earthquake near me?
Check the list at the top of this page. It reads the U.S. Geological Survey's live feed every few minutes. Automatic locations for most US quakes appear within minutes, and small or remote ones can take longer. If you felt shaking that isn't listed yet, wait a few minutes and refresh, or report it to the USGS "Did You Feel It?" survey.
The last 12 months
36 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or more in Washington in the last 12 months. The largest was M4.2, 6 km WNW of Wauna, Washington, on Sep 29. The busiest week began Dec 15, with 3 quakes.
Biggest earthquakes in Washington
The five largest of the last 50 years in the USGS catalogue.
| Magnitude | Where | Date | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| M6.8 | The 2001 Nisqually, Washington Earthquake | February 28, 2001 | USGS |
| M5.8 | 8 km N of Satsop, Washington | July 2, 1999 | USGS |
| M5.7 | 38 km NNE of Amboy, Washington | May 18, 1980 | USGS |
| M5.4 | 8 km NNE of Lake Marcel-Stillwater, Washington | May 2, 1996 | USGS |
| M5.2 | 23 km S of Morton, Washington | February 13, 1981 | USGS |
Why does Washington get earthquakes?
Washington sits above the Cascadia Subduction Zone, where the small Juan de Fuca Plate dives beneath North America off the coast. That setting produces three kinds of earthquakes. Deep quakes inside the sinking plate, 40 to 60 km down, are the most common large ones: the M6.8 Nisqually earthquake of 28 February 2001 and the 1949 Olympia and 1965 Seattle–Tacoma earthquakes were this kind.
Shallow faults in the crust, like the Seattle Fault beneath the city, can produce strong shaking close to home. And the subduction zone itself last broke in a magnitude 9 earthquake on 26 January 1700, which sent a tsunami across the Pacific to Japan. Mount St. Helens and the other Cascade volcanoes add swarms of small quakes.
Last reviewed 4 November 2026. Sources: Pacific Northwest Seismic Network.
What magnitude earthquake can you feel?
People close to the epicentre often feel quakes from about magnitude 2.5 to 3, especially indoors on upper floors. Below that, most go unnoticed. How strong it feels depends on distance, depth and the ground under you, so a shallow M3 nearby can feel stronger than a deep M4 farther away.
How long do aftershocks last?
Aftershocks are most frequent in the first hours and days after a quake and then fade, though after a large one they can go on for months or even years. Most are smaller than the main shock, but a damaging one is possible. For significant US quakes, the USGS publishes an aftershock forecast with the chances for the coming days and weeks.
What should I do during an earthquake?
Drop, cover and hold on: get down on your hands and knees, cover your head and neck under a sturdy table, and hold on until the shaking stops. If you're in bed, stay there and protect your head with a pillow. Don't run outside during shaking, and keep away from windows. Doorways aren't safer in most modern homes. See Ready.gov and the Earthquake Country Alliance for more.
Can earthquakes be predicted?
No. Scientists can't predict the time, place and size of a particular earthquake. They can estimate the chance of a large quake in a region over decades, which is how building codes and insurance are set. On the West Coast, the ShakeAlert system can give seconds of warning once a quake has started, but that's detection, not prediction.
Tsunami status
No tsunami warning, advisory or watch was in effect at our last check of the National Tsunami Warning Center and Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (7:08 a.m. PST).
Official messages: tsunami.gov. If you are on the coast and feel a strong or long quake, move to high ground without waiting for a message.
Nearby
Other hazards in Washington
How this page works
The lists read the U.S. Geological Survey's real-time feeds: every quake of the past day and every quake of magnitude 2.5 or more of the past month, refreshed every few minutes. The 12-month history and the 50-year list come from the USGS earthquake catalogue (ComCat), read once a day and once a week. A quake counts here when the USGS names Washington as its place, offshore quakes included.
First magnitudes and locations are automatic and are often revised within hours; rows marked "auto" haven't been reviewed by a seismologist yet. Felt reports are the number of "Did You Feel It?" responses the USGS has so far. Times are local (America/Los Angeles).
Gods Eyes is not an early warning system and is not affiliated with any government agency. In an emergency, follow local officials and call 911.
Earthquakes: data courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey · Map and place names: Natural Earth (public domain). All data sources.