New York has scattered seismicity, notably the Adirondacks and the area around New York City, where even moderate quakes are widely felt.
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 New York.
What the record shows for New York
Over the last 20 years, USGS has catalogued 1 earthquake of magnitude 4 or greater within 300 km of New York - 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 8 tsunamis within 300 km of New York between 1755 and 1929. The most significant was in 1884 near Rockaway Beach, New York, triggered by an M5.5 earthquake, which killed around 3 people.
Sources: USGS earthquake catalog, NOAA tsunami database, and the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. Figures update as the catalogs are revised.
Check New York hazard risk in detail
An interactive breakdown of the earthquake, tsunami and volcano risk in New York - or search any city or region.
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Earthquake risk in New York - FAQ
Is New York 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 New York?
We don't have a standout large earthquake on record close to New York in the modern catalog, though smaller quakes can still occur.
Does New York get tsunamis?
Yes - 8 tsunamis since 1755 (most recently 1929) within 300 km, from the NOAA database. The deadliest killed around 3 people.
How do I get earthquake warnings in New York?
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.