Earthquakes Near Tacoma Today
Live answer from USGS data — every earthquake within 150 km (93 mi) of Tacoma, Washington.
Checking live USGS data near Tacoma…
Why Tacoma gets earthquakes
Tacoma sits between two shallow crustal faults — the Tacoma fault, which crosses the Key Peninsula and Commencement Bay area, and the Seattle fault to the north — on top of the same deep subduction system that threatens the whole Puget Sound region.
The deep 1949 Olympia earthquake (M6.8) struck closer to Tacoma than Seattle, killing eight people and heavily damaging Tacoma schools; the 1965 Puget Sound (M6.7) and 2001 Nisqually (M6.8) quakes repeated the pattern. A Cascadia megathrust rupture or a Tacoma fault event are the larger but rarer scenarios.
Tacoma earthquake FAQ
▸Did Tacoma just have an earthquake?
The live panel at the top of this page checks the USGS catalog for every earthquake within 150 km of Tacoma 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 Tacoma?
The Tacoma fault runs through the area north of the city, with the Seattle fault beyond it. Most damaging historical quakes here — 1949 Olympia M6.8, 1965 M6.7, 2001 Nisqually M6.8 — were deep slab events beneath Puget Sound, and Cascadia looms offshore.
▸What magnitude earthquake can you feel in Tacoma, 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 Tacoma?
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.