Michigan is seismically quiet, with only rare small 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 Michigan.
What the record shows for Michigan
Over the last 20 years, USGS has catalogued 1 earthquake of magnitude 4 or greater within 300 km of Michigan - 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 1 tsunami within 300 km of Michigan (most recently 1952). The most significant was in 1952 near Lake Huron, Mi.
Sources: USGS earthquake catalog, NOAA tsunami database, and the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. Figures update as the catalogs are revised.
Check Michigan hazard risk in detail
An interactive breakdown of the earthquake, tsunami and volcano risk in Michigan - or search any city or region.
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Earthquake risk in Michigan - FAQ
Is Michigan 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 Michigan?
We don't have a standout large earthquake on record close to Michigan in the modern catalog, though smaller quakes can still occur.
Does Michigan get tsunamis?
Yes - 1 tsunami since 1952 (most recently 1952) within 300 km, from the NOAA database.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Michigan?
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.