Washington faces hazard from the Cascadia subduction zone and deep quakes beneath Puget Sound, like the 2001 M6.8 Nisqually earthquake. Great earthquakes on the Cascadia subduction zone recur roughly every 200–800 years. The last was the 1700 Cascadia earthquake (M9.0), 326 years ago. It sent a tsunami across the Pacific that was recorded in Japan. This page pulls real records for Washington: 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 Washington.
Check Washington hazard risk in detail
An interactive breakdown of the earthquake, tsunami and volcano risk in Washington - or search any city or region.
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Earthquake risk in Washington - FAQ
Is Washington at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 1 quake every 2 years nearby of magnitude 4+ within 300 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data. The strongest earthquake on record nearby is M6.8 in 2001.
What was the biggest earthquake in Washington?
The strongest earthquake on record near Washington is M6.8, in 2001 (7 km SSE of Longbranch, Washington), from USGS.
Does Washington get tsunamis?
Yes - 18 tsunamis since 1820 (most recently 2024) within 300 km, from the NOAA database. The deadliest killed around 61 people.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Washington?
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.