Maine experiences occasional small-to-moderate earthquakes typical of the stable but felt-prone northeastern US.
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 Maine.
What the record shows for Maine
The strongest earthquake on record near Maine is a magnitude 6.3 in 1925, centred 7 km NW of Saint-Pacôme, Canada - 101 years ago. The event is catalogued by USGS. See the event record.
Over the last 20 years, USGS has catalogued 4 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater within 300 km of Maine - about one every 5 years. That rate describes how often the ground moves enough to be recorded, not how often damage occurs; most of these are never felt.
The NOAA NCEI database records 5 tsunamis within 300 km of Maine between 1870 and 2008. The most significant was in 1870 near Cape Trinity, Quebec, which killed around 2 people.
Sources: USGS earthquake catalog, NOAA tsunami database, and the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. Figures update as the catalogs are revised.
Check Maine hazard risk in detail
An interactive breakdown of the earthquake, tsunami and volcano risk in Maine - or search any city or region.
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Earthquake risk in Maine - FAQ
Is Maine at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 1 quake every 5 years nearby of magnitude 4+ within 300 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data. The strongest earthquake on record nearby is M6.3 in 1925.
What was the biggest earthquake in Maine?
The strongest earthquake on record near Maine is M6.3, in 1925 (7 km NW of Saint-Pacôme, Canada), from USGS.
Does Maine get tsunamis?
Yes - 5 tsunamis since 1870 (most recently 2008) within 300 km, from the NOAA database. The deadliest killed around 2 people.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Maine?
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.