Washington faces hazard from the Cascadia subduction zone and deep quakes beneath Puget Sound, like the 2001 M6.8 Nisqually earthquake.
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.
What the record shows for Washington
The strongest earthquake on record near Washington is a magnitude 6.8 in 2001, centred The 2001 Nisqually, Washington Earthquake - 25 years ago. The event is catalogued by USGS. See the event record.
Over the last 20 years, USGS has catalogued 17 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater within 300 km of Washington - about one every 2 years. That rate describes how often the ground moves enough to be recorded, not how often damage occurs; most of these are never felt.
Washington sits in the the Cascadia subduction zone system, where the pattern is every 200–800 years. The last major event was the 1700 Cascadia earthquake in 1700 (M9.0), 326 years ago. It sent a tsunami across the Pacific that was recorded in Japan.
The NOAA NCEI database records 18 tsunamis within 300 km of Washington between 1820 and 2024. The most significant was in 1980 near Washington, which killed around 61 people.
10 volcanoes are catalogued near Washington, including Glacier Peak, Rainier, Adams, Baker, St. Helens, Indian Heaven and 4 more. 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 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 (The 2001 Nisqually, Washington Earthquake), 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.