When was the last time Seattle had an earthquake?

Seattle’s Shaky Ground: When Did We Last Feel the Earth Move?

Seattle: coffee, grunge, breathtaking views… and earthquakes. Yeah, we live in a seismically active zone, which means the ground beneath our feet isn’t always as solid as we’d like it to be. We hear a lot about the “Big One”—that potential Cascadia Subduction Zone megathrust earthquake that could really rattle our world. But what about the smaller tremors, the ones that are more common? When was the last time Seattle actually felt an earthquake?

Well, if you’ve lived here for a while, you probably remember February 28, 2001. That was the day the Nisqually Earthquake struck, a magnitude 6.8 jolt centered down near the Nisqually Delta. I remember it vividly. I was working downtown, and the whole building started swaying. Books tumbled off shelves, and everyone just kind of stood there, wide-eyed, waiting for it to stop. While the epicenter was a ways away, Seattle definitely felt it. Pioneer Square took a beating, especially those older buildings built on fill. The good news? Because it was a deep quake, about 30-40 miles down, the shaking wasn’t as intense as it could have been. Think of it like a deep rumble rather than a sharp, close-range crack.

Now, let’s be clear: little tremors happen all the time. If you keep an eye on those earthquake tracking websites, you’ll see something pop up every so often. Just this week, on August 6, 2025, there was a tiny 1.6 near Bainbridge Island. Most of the time, you don’t even notice them. But they’re a constant reminder that the Earth is alive and kicking beneath us.

A Quick Trip Down Earthquake Memory Lane

Seattle’s had its share of significant shakers over the years. Here’s a little historical perspective:

• Way back when (around 900-930 AD): A massive quake hit along the Seattle Fault. We’re talking magnitude 7, major uplift, landslides… a real landscape changer. The Native American stories passed down through generations even talk about it.
• 1872: Lake Chelan rumbled with a 7.3 quake. Landslides, shaking felt far and wide… it was a big one for its time.
• 1949: Olympia took center stage with a 7.1 quake. Seattle felt the aftereffects, especially in those areas built on filled ground.
• 1965: Another one south of Seattle, magnitude 6.5. Similar damage to ’49.
• And then, 2001: Nisqually. The one most of us remember.

What’s Shaking? Understanding Our Risks

So, what kind of earthquake worries do we have here in Seattle?

• Deep ones: Like Nisqually. They’re common, and because they’re deep, the shaking isn’t as violent.
• Shallow ones: These are the ones that could be nastier. They happen on faults like the Seattle Fault, and because they’re close to the surface, they can really shake things up – and even trigger a localized tsunami.
• The “Big One”: The Cascadia Subduction Zone. This is the one that keeps emergency planners up at night. A magnitude 9.0 or higher quake could be devastating, even though we’re not right on top of the subduction zone.

And that Seattle Fault? It runs right through the city! A major quake on that fault could be a real disaster, with strong shaking and a potential tsunami in Puget Sound.

Be Ready, Seattle!

Living in Seattle means living with the possibility of earthquakes. The best thing we can do is be prepared. Know what to do when the ground starts shaking, have an emergency plan, and understand the risks. Scientists are constantly learning more about our earthquake hazards, but being ready is something we can all do right now. Stay safe, Seattle!