Western Montana is seismically active along the Intermountain Seismic Belt; the 1959 Hebgen Lake M7.3 was among the largest in the region. This page pulls real records for Montana: the largest earthquakes on record from USGS, how often the ground shakes nearby, tsunamis from the NOAA database, and volcanoes from the Smithsonian program. Nothing is guessed.
A quiet recent record is good news, but many damaging earthquakes strike places that were quiet for decades. 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.
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.