Maryland has infrequent earthquakes; the 2011 Virginia quake nearby was strongly felt across the state.
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 Maryland.
What the record shows for Maryland
Over the last 20 years, USGS has catalogued 5 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater within 300 km of Maryland - about one every 3 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 10 tsunamis within 300 km of Maryland between 1821 and 1944. The most significant was in 1931 near Atlantic City, Nj, which killed around 4 people.
Sources: USGS earthquake catalog, NOAA tsunami database, and the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. Figures update as the catalogs are revised.
Check Maryland hazard risk in detail
An interactive breakdown of the earthquake, tsunami and volcano risk in Maryland - or search any city or region.
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Earthquake risk in Maryland - FAQ
Is Maryland at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 1 quake every 3 years nearby of magnitude 4+ within 300 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data.
What was the biggest earthquake in Maryland?
We don't have a standout large earthquake on record close to Maryland in the modern catalog, though smaller quakes can still occur.
Does Maryland get tsunamis?
Yes - 10 tsunamis since 1821 (most recently 1944) within 300 km, from the NOAA database. The deadliest killed around 4 people.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Maryland?
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.