Earthquakes Near St. Louis Today
Live answer from USGS data — every earthquake within 150 km (93 mi) of St. Louis, Missouri.
Checking live USGS data near St. Louis…
Why St. Louis gets earthquakes
St. Louis lies about 150 miles north of the New Madrid Seismic Zone, whose 1811–12 M7+ earthquakes toppled chimneys in the young city. It also sits near the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone along the Illinois–Indiana border, which produced the 1968 southern Illinois M5.4 and the 2008 Mount Carmel M5.2 — both felt strongly across the metro.
The Mississippi River floodplain's soft sediments amplify shaking downtown and in East St. Louis, and the region's brick building stock adds vulnerability. Small felt events from either zone reach St. Louis every few years.
St. Louis earthquake FAQ
▸Did St. Louis just have an earthquake?
The live panel at the top of this page checks the USGS catalog for every earthquake within 150 km of St. Louis 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 St. Louis?
St. Louis is bracketed by the New Madrid Seismic Zone to the south and the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone to the east — the latter produced the 1968 M5.4 and 2008 Mount Carmel M5.2 quakes. The Ste. Genevieve fault zone lies closer, south of the metro.
▸What magnitude earthquake can you feel in St. Louis, MO?
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 St. Louis?
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.