Washington, D.C. rarely has its own earthquakes, but regional events like the 2011 Virginia quake are felt across the capital.
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, D.C..
What the record shows for Washington, D.C.
Over the last 20 years, USGS has catalogued 5 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater within 300 km of Washington, D.C. - about one every 3 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 7 tsunamis within 300 km of Washington, D.C. between 1821 and 1944. The most significant was in 1931 near Atlantic City, Nj, which killed around 4 people.
Sources: USGS earthquake catalog, NOAA tsunami database, and the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. Figures update as the catalogs are revised.
Check Washington, D.C. hazard risk in detail
An interactive breakdown of the earthquake, tsunami and volcano risk in Washington, D.C. - or search any city or region.
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Earthquake risk in Washington, D.C. - FAQ
Is Washington, D.C. 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 Washington, D.C.?
We don't have a standout large earthquake on record close to Washington, D.C. in the modern catalog, though smaller quakes can still occur.
Does Washington, D.C. get tsunamis?
Yes - 7 tsunamis since 1821 (most recently 1944) within 300 km, from the NOAA database. The deadliest killed around 4 people.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Washington, D.C.?
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.