Southeast Missouri lies within the New Madrid seismic zone, site of the powerful 1811-1812 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 Missouri.
What the record shows for Missouri
Over the last 20 years, USGS has catalogued 1 earthquake of magnitude 4 or greater within 300 km of Missouri - 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.
No tsunamis are recorded within 300 km of Missouri 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 Missouri hazard risk in detail
An interactive breakdown of the earthquake, tsunami and volcano risk in Missouri - or search any city or region.
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Earthquake risk in Missouri - FAQ
Is Missouri 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 Missouri?
We don't have a standout large earthquake on record close to Missouri in the modern catalog, though smaller quakes can still occur.
Does Missouri get tsunamis?
No tsunamis are recorded within 300 km of Missouri in the NOAA database - though coastal states can still be exposed after a very large offshore quake.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Missouri?
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.