Iowa is one of the least seismically active states, with only rare, minor earthquakes.
The only real protection is a warning the moment the ground moves - which is exactly what the free QuakeMate app gives you, along with tsunami and volcano alerts for Iowa.
What the record shows for Iowa
Over the last 20 years, USGS has catalogued 0 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater within 300 km of Iowa - about one every Infinity years. That rate describes how often the ground moves enough to be recorded, not how often damage occurs; most of these are never felt.
No tsunamis are recorded within 300 km of Iowa in the NOAA NCEI database. A quiet record is not the same as no exposure - a large enough offshore earthquake can reach coastlines that have never been hit in the historical period.
Sources: USGS earthquake catalog, NOAA tsunami database, and the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. Figures update as the catalogs are revised.
Check Iowa hazard risk in detail
An interactive breakdown of the earthquake, tsunami and volcano risk in Iowa - or search any city or region.
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Earthquake risk in Iowa - FAQ
Is Iowa at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 1 quake every infinity years nearby of magnitude 4+ within 300 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data.
What was the biggest earthquake in Iowa?
We don't have a standout large earthquake on record close to Iowa in the modern catalog, though smaller quakes can still occur.
Does Iowa get tsunamis?
No tsunamis are recorded within 300 km of Iowa in the NOAA database - though coastal states can still be exposed after a very large offshore quake.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Iowa?
Download the free QuakeMate app for iPhone. It watches your location and sends a real-time push the instant a quake strikes nearby, plus tsunami and volcano alerts, with custom magnitude and distance rules. On Android, join the waitlist.