Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Earthquakes can strike any location at any time, but history shows they occur in the same general patterns year after year, principally in three large zones of the earth:
The remaining shocks are scattered in various areas of the world. Earthquakes in the prominent seismic zones described above are taken for granted, but damaging shocks can occur outside these zones. Examples in the United States include New Madrid, Missouri (1811-1812) and Charleston, South Carolina (1886). However, many years usually elapse between such shocks.
Learn more:
Florida and North Dakota are the states with the fewest earthquakes. Antarctica has the least earthquakes of any continent, but small earthquakes can occur anywhere in the World. Our Earthquake Lists, Maps, and Statistics website has M3+ earthquake counts for each state from 2010 to 2015. Learn more: Earthquake Information by Region
Use our online earthquake catalog to search for past earthquakes in your region. Define your search area by drawing a rectangle on a map or by inputting data for a rectangle or circle. Go to our Earthquake Information by Region website for information about earthquakes in each state.
The answer to this question is not as straightforward as it may seem. In order to most accurately answer it, we will rephrase the question four different ways: For which country do we locate the most earthquakes? Japan. The whole country is in a very active seismic area, and they have the densest seismic network in the world, so they are able to record many earthquakes. Which country actually has...
California has more earthquakes that cause damage than any other state. Alaska and California have the most earthquakes (not human-induced). Learn more: Earthquake Information by Region
You might be able to find what you’re looking for using our collection of Earthquake Lists, so check that first. If that doesn’t work, use one of these Earthquake Catalog Search webpages: World-wide Earthquakes Catalog (M4.5+ worldwide, M2.5+ U.S.) Historic ANSS (Advanced National Seismic System) Composite Catalog (M4.5+ world-wide, all magnitudes U.S.)
Sometimes. Earthquakes, particularly large ones, can trigger other earthquakes in more distant locations though a process known as dynamic stress transfer/triggering. This means that the energy from the seismic wave passing through can cause a new earthquake, usually in already vulnerable locations prone to frequent earthquakes (e.g., volcanic regions). Examples of large events that triggered...
Determining your risk with regard to earthquakes, or more precisely shaking from earthquakes, isn't as simple as finding the nearest fault. The chances of experiencing shaking from an earthquake and/or having property damage is dependent on many different factors. The National Hazard Maps use all available data to estimate the chances of shaking (of different strengths and frequencies) across the...
1) Severe earthquakes have occurred in the eastern U.S.: In November of 1755, an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 6.0 and a maximum intensity of VIII occurred about 50 miles northeast of Boston, Massachusetts. Boston was heavily damaged. Other strong earthquakes recorded in the continental US were centered in southeastern Missouri near the border with Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee. In...
The USGS Earthquake Lists, Maps, and Statistics website has statistics about earthquakes in the United States and the world, including a list of the world's 20 largest recorded earthquakes.
Do you know what a “go” bag is? Does your family have a plan in case of an emergency? Check out the video to see what you can do to get yourself prepared if there were an earthquake.
Do you know what a “go” bag is? Does your family have a plan in case of an emergency? Check out the video to see what you can do to get yourself prepared if there were an earthquake.
Earthquakes can affect millions of people across the United States. But do you know what causes them? This video will tell you.
September is National Preparedness Month. Learn more about the natural hazards you may face in our feature story.
Earthquakes can affect millions of people across the United States. But do you know what causes them? This video will tell you.
September is National Preparedness Month. Learn more about the natural hazards you may face in our feature story.
Plate Tectonics is the theory supported by a wide range of evidence that considers the earth's crust and upper mantle to be composed of several large, thin, relatively rigid plates that move relative to one another. Slip on faults that define the plate boundaries commonly results in earthquakes.
Plate Tectonics is the theory supported by a wide range of evidence that considers the earth's crust and upper mantle to be composed of several large, thin, relatively rigid plates that move relative to one another. Slip on faults that define the plate boundaries commonly results in earthquakes.
Title: Where Earthquakes Hide in the Desert: What we've learned from recent fault ruptures in the western U.S.
By Austin J. Elliott, USGS Research Geologist
Title: Where Earthquakes Hide in the Desert: What we've learned from recent fault ruptures in the western U.S.
By Austin J. Elliott, USGS Research Geologist
Earthquake hazard map showing peak ground accelerations having a 2 percent probability of being exceeded in 50 years, for a firm rock site. Black box outlines Yellowstone region. The map is based on the most recent USGS models for the conterminous U.S. (2018), Hawaii (1998), and Alaska (2007).
Earthquake hazard map showing peak ground accelerations having a 2 percent probability of being exceeded in 50 years, for a firm rock site. Black box outlines Yellowstone region. The map is based on the most recent USGS models for the conterminous U.S. (2018), Hawaii (1998), and Alaska (2007).
This animation of the tectonic evolution of western North America shows the birth and lengthening of the San Andreas fault as the triple junction moves north over the past 40 million years. Over time, the Farallon plate is consumed by subduction beneath North America and the divergent boundary (a.k.a.
This animation of the tectonic evolution of western North America shows the birth and lengthening of the San Andreas fault as the triple junction moves north over the past 40 million years. Over time, the Farallon plate is consumed by subduction beneath North America and the divergent boundary (a.k.a.
Collection of USGS still images taken after the January 17, 1994 Northridge earthquake highlighting the damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Collection of USGS still images taken after the January 17, 1994 Northridge earthquake highlighting the damage to buildings and infrastructure.
1906 earthquake damage to home on Howard and 17th Streets in San Francisco. Liquefaction, the phenomenon of saturated soils losing their stiffness and strength during shaking, caused structures to tilt and collapse.
1906 earthquake damage to home on Howard and 17th Streets in San Francisco. Liquefaction, the phenomenon of saturated soils losing their stiffness and strength during shaking, caused structures to tilt and collapse.
Examples of seismograms of different types of earthquakes and tremor (constant ground shaking) recorded in Hawai‘i.
Examples of seismograms of different types of earthquakes and tremor (constant ground shaking) recorded in Hawai‘i.
Florida and North Dakota are the states with the fewest earthquakes. Antarctica has the least earthquakes of any continent, but small earthquakes can occur anywhere in the World. Our Earthquake Lists, Maps, and Statistics website has M3+ earthquake counts for each state from 2010 to 2015. Learn more: Earthquake Information by Region
Use our online earthquake catalog to search for past earthquakes in your region. Define your search area by drawing a rectangle on a map or by inputting data for a rectangle or circle. Go to our Earthquake Information by Region website for information about earthquakes in each state.
The answer to this question is not as straightforward as it may seem. In order to most accurately answer it, we will rephrase the question four different ways: For which country do we locate the most earthquakes? Japan. The whole country is in a very active seismic area, and they have the densest seismic network in the world, so they are able to record many earthquakes. Which country actually has...
California has more earthquakes that cause damage than any other state. Alaska and California have the most earthquakes (not human-induced). Learn more: Earthquake Information by Region
You might be able to find what you’re looking for using our collection of Earthquake Lists, so check that first. If that doesn’t work, use one of these Earthquake Catalog Search webpages: World-wide Earthquakes Catalog (M4.5+ worldwide, M2.5+ U.S.) Historic ANSS (Advanced National Seismic System) Composite Catalog (M4.5+ world-wide, all magnitudes U.S.)
Sometimes. Earthquakes, particularly large ones, can trigger other earthquakes in more distant locations though a process known as dynamic stress transfer/triggering. This means that the energy from the seismic wave passing through can cause a new earthquake, usually in already vulnerable locations prone to frequent earthquakes (e.g., volcanic regions). Examples of large events that triggered...
Determining your risk with regard to earthquakes, or more precisely shaking from earthquakes, isn't as simple as finding the nearest fault. The chances of experiencing shaking from an earthquake and/or having property damage is dependent on many different factors. The National Hazard Maps use all available data to estimate the chances of shaking (of different strengths and frequencies) across the...
1) Severe earthquakes have occurred in the eastern U.S.: In November of 1755, an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 6.0 and a maximum intensity of VIII occurred about 50 miles northeast of Boston, Massachusetts. Boston was heavily damaged. Other strong earthquakes recorded in the continental US were centered in southeastern Missouri near the border with Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee. In...
The USGS Earthquake Lists, Maps, and Statistics website has statistics about earthquakes in the United States and the world, including a list of the world's 20 largest recorded earthquakes.
Do you know what a “go” bag is? Does your family have a plan in case of an emergency? Check out the video to see what you can do to get yourself prepared if there were an earthquake.
Do you know what a “go” bag is? Does your family have a plan in case of an emergency? Check out the video to see what you can do to get yourself prepared if there were an earthquake.
Earthquakes can affect millions of people across the United States. But do you know what causes them? This video will tell you.
September is National Preparedness Month. Learn more about the natural hazards you may face in our feature story.
Earthquakes can affect millions of people across the United States. But do you know what causes them? This video will tell you.
September is National Preparedness Month. Learn more about the natural hazards you may face in our feature story.
Plate Tectonics is the theory supported by a wide range of evidence that considers the earth's crust and upper mantle to be composed of several large, thin, relatively rigid plates that move relative to one another. Slip on faults that define the plate boundaries commonly results in earthquakes.
Plate Tectonics is the theory supported by a wide range of evidence that considers the earth's crust and upper mantle to be composed of several large, thin, relatively rigid plates that move relative to one another. Slip on faults that define the plate boundaries commonly results in earthquakes.
Title: Where Earthquakes Hide in the Desert: What we've learned from recent fault ruptures in the western U.S.
By Austin J. Elliott, USGS Research Geologist
Title: Where Earthquakes Hide in the Desert: What we've learned from recent fault ruptures in the western U.S.
By Austin J. Elliott, USGS Research Geologist
Earthquake hazard map showing peak ground accelerations having a 2 percent probability of being exceeded in 50 years, for a firm rock site. Black box outlines Yellowstone region. The map is based on the most recent USGS models for the conterminous U.S. (2018), Hawaii (1998), and Alaska (2007).
Earthquake hazard map showing peak ground accelerations having a 2 percent probability of being exceeded in 50 years, for a firm rock site. Black box outlines Yellowstone region. The map is based on the most recent USGS models for the conterminous U.S. (2018), Hawaii (1998), and Alaska (2007).
This animation of the tectonic evolution of western North America shows the birth and lengthening of the San Andreas fault as the triple junction moves north over the past 40 million years. Over time, the Farallon plate is consumed by subduction beneath North America and the divergent boundary (a.k.a.
This animation of the tectonic evolution of western North America shows the birth and lengthening of the San Andreas fault as the triple junction moves north over the past 40 million years. Over time, the Farallon plate is consumed by subduction beneath North America and the divergent boundary (a.k.a.
Collection of USGS still images taken after the January 17, 1994 Northridge earthquake highlighting the damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Collection of USGS still images taken after the January 17, 1994 Northridge earthquake highlighting the damage to buildings and infrastructure.
1906 earthquake damage to home on Howard and 17th Streets in San Francisco. Liquefaction, the phenomenon of saturated soils losing their stiffness and strength during shaking, caused structures to tilt and collapse.
1906 earthquake damage to home on Howard and 17th Streets in San Francisco. Liquefaction, the phenomenon of saturated soils losing their stiffness and strength during shaking, caused structures to tilt and collapse.
Examples of seismograms of different types of earthquakes and tremor (constant ground shaking) recorded in Hawai‘i.
Examples of seismograms of different types of earthquakes and tremor (constant ground shaking) recorded in Hawai‘i.