Massachusetts has a history of felt earthquakes, including the notable 1755 Cape Ann event offshore.
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 Massachusetts.
What the record shows for Massachusetts
Over the last 20 years, USGS has catalogued 1 earthquake of magnitude 4 or greater within 300 km of Massachusetts - about one every 10 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 11 tsunamis within 300 km of Massachusetts between 1668 and 2008. The most significant was in 1884 near Rockaway Beach, New York, triggered by an M5.5 earthquake, which killed around 3 people.
Sources: USGS earthquake catalog, NOAA tsunami database, and the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. Figures update as the catalogs are revised.
Check Massachusetts hazard risk in detail
An interactive breakdown of the earthquake, tsunami and volcano risk in Massachusetts - or search any city or region.
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Earthquake risk in Massachusetts - FAQ
Is Massachusetts at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 1 quake every 10 years nearby of magnitude 4+ within 300 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data.
What was the biggest earthquake in Massachusetts?
We don't have a standout large earthquake on record close to Massachusetts in the modern catalog, though smaller quakes can still occur.
Does Massachusetts get tsunamis?
Yes - 11 tsunamis since 1668 (most recently 2008) within 300 km, from the NOAA database. The deadliest killed around 3 people.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Massachusetts?
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.