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Earthquakes · Seattle, Washington
Was that an earthquake near Seattle?
Latest earthquakes near Seattle, live from the USGS
In the last 24 hours the USGS recorded 1 earthquake of magnitude 1 or more near Seattle; the largest was M1.7, 11 km WNW of Belfair, Washington, at 2:22 a.m. PST. None of magnitude 2.5 or more in the last 7 days. As of 10:36 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.
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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
15 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or more near Seattle in the last 12 months. The largest was M4.2, 6 km WNW of Wauna, Washington, on Sep 29. The busiest week began Jun 25, with 3 quakes.
Biggest earthquakes near Seattle
The five largest of the last 50 years in the USGS catalogue, within 62 miles.
Why does Seattle get earthquakes?
Seattle faces earthquakes from three sources. Deep quakes inside the Juan de Fuca Plate, 40 to 60 km down, are the most frequent large ones; the M6.8 Nisqually earthquake of 28 February 2001 was centred near Olympia and damaged buildings in Pioneer Square. Shallow faults run under the city itself: the Seattle Fault, which crosses from Bainbridge Island beneath the south side of the city toward Lake Sammamish, last broke in a large earthquake about 1,100 years ago and lifted the shoreline by several metres.
Offshore, the Cascadia Subduction Zone can produce a magnitude 9 that would shake the region for minutes. The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network records small quakes beneath Puget Sound most days.
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 (10:36 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 near Seattle
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 its epicentre is within 62 miles (100 km) of Seattle, whichever state it is in.
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.