Western Montana is seismically active along the Intermountain Seismic Belt; the 1959 Hebgen Lake M7.3 was among the largest in the region.
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 Montana.
What the record shows for Montana
The strongest earthquake on record near Montana is a magnitude 7.2 in 1959, centred The 1959 Hebgen Lake, Montana Earthquake - 67 years ago. The event is catalogued by USGS. See the event record.
Over the last 20 years, USGS has catalogued 21 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater within 305 km of Montana - roughly 1 a year. 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 305 km of Montana (most recently 1959). The most significant was in 1959 near Hegben Lake, Montana, triggered by an M7.2 earthquake, which killed around 28 people.
One volcano is catalogued near Montana, including Yellowstone. Volcanic systems generate their own earthquake swarms, which is why activity here can look different from a purely tectonic region.
Sources: USGS earthquake catalog, NOAA tsunami database, and the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. Figures update as the catalogs are revised.
Check Montana hazard risk in detail
An interactive breakdown of the earthquake, tsunami and volcano risk in Montana - or search any city or region.
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Earthquake risk in Montana - FAQ
Is Montana at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 1 quakes a year nearby of magnitude 4+ within 305 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data. The strongest earthquake on record nearby is M7.2 in 1959.
What was the biggest earthquake in Montana?
The strongest earthquake on record near Montana is M7.2, in 1959 (The 1959 Hebgen Lake, Montana Earthquake), from USGS.
Does Montana get tsunamis?
Yes - 1 tsunami since 1959 (most recently 1959) within 305 km, from the NOAA database. The deadliest killed around 28 people.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Montana?
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.