Nevada is one of the most seismically active states, crisscrossed by Basin and Range faults that produce frequent quakes.
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 Nevada.
What the record shows for Nevada
The strongest earthquake on record near Nevada is a magnitude 7.1 in 1954, centred The 1954 Fairview Peak, Nevada Earthquake - 72 years ago. The event is catalogued by USGS. See the event record.
Over the last 20 years, USGS has catalogued 187 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater within 300 km of Nevada - roughly 9 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.
No tsunamis are recorded within 300 km of Nevada 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.
6 volcanoes are catalogued near Nevada, including Soda Lakes, Mono Lake Volcanic Field, Ubehebe Craters, Mono-Inyo Craters, Inyo Craters, Mammoth Mountain. 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 Nevada hazard risk in detail
An interactive breakdown of the earthquake, tsunami and volcano risk in Nevada - or search any city or region.
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Earthquake risk in Nevada - FAQ
Is Nevada at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 9 quakes a year nearby of magnitude 4+ within 300 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data. The strongest earthquake on record nearby is M7.1 in 1954.
What was the biggest earthquake in Nevada?
The strongest earthquake on record near Nevada is M7.1, in 1954 (The 1954 Fairview Peak, Nevada Earthquake), from USGS.
Does Nevada get tsunamis?
No tsunamis are recorded within 300 km of Nevada in the NOAA database - though coastal states can still be exposed after a very large offshore quake.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Nevada?
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.