Western North Carolina sits in the Eastern Tennessee seismic zone and sees frequent small earthquakes. This page pulls real records for North Carolina: 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 North Carolina.
Check North Carolina hazard risk in detail
An interactive breakdown of the earthquake, tsunami and volcano risk in North Carolina - or search any city or region.
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Earthquake risk in North Carolina - FAQ
Is North Carolina at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 1 quake every 3 years nearby of magnitude 4+ within 300 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data.
What was the biggest earthquake in North Carolina?
We don't have a standout large earthquake on record close to North Carolina in the modern catalog, though smaller quakes can still occur.
Does North Carolina get tsunamis?
Yes - 1 tsunami since 1886 (most recently 1886) within 300 km, from the NOAA database.
How do I get earthquake warnings in North Carolina?
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.