Earthquakes Near Spokane Today
Live answer from USGS data — every earthquake within 150 km (93 mi) of Spokane, Washington.
Checking live USGS data near Spokane…
Why Spokane gets earthquakes
Spokane is far from the Cascadia Subduction Zone, but it has its own shallow seismicity: in 2001, a months-long swarm of small quakes (up to M4) rattled the city from directly beneath it, leading to the mapping of the Spokane fault.
The largest historical quake in Washington's interior region was the 1872 North Cascades earthquake (estimated M6.5–7), centered near Lake Chelan and felt over a huge area including Spokane. Compared with Puget Sound, quakes here are infrequent — but they're very shallow, so even small ones are widely felt.
Spokane earthquake FAQ
▸Did Spokane just have an earthquake?
The live panel at the top of this page checks the USGS catalog for every earthquake within 150 km of Spokane and answers in one line. Keep in mind USGS data lags real shaking by roughly 2–3 minutes in California and up to ~8 minutes in other regions — if you felt something seconds ago, refresh shortly.
▸What faults cause earthquakes near Spokane?
The Spokane fault beneath the city produced the 2001 swarm of shallow quakes up to M4. The 1872 North Cascades earthquake (M6.5–7) near Lake Chelan is the region's largest known event. Activity is infrequent but shallow and easily felt.
▸What magnitude earthquake can you feel in Spokane, WA?
Close to the epicenter, people typically begin to feel earthquakes around magnitude 2.5–3.0. An M4+ is felt across a wide area and rattles objects; M5+ can damage buildings near the epicenter. Shallow quakes feel stronger than deep ones of the same magnitude, and soft soils amplify shaking.
▸What should I do if I feel an earthquake in Spokane?
Drop, Cover, and Hold On — get low, take cover under sturdy furniture, and hold on until shaking stops. Afterward, check for hazards like gas leaks, and expect possible aftershocks. If you're in a coastal area and the shaking is strong or lasts a long time, move inland or to high ground. Official guidance: ready.gov/earthquakes.