Study: These Are America’s Earthquake Prone States

An earthquake is a sudden release of energy in the Earth’s crust that causes seismic waves. This can be caused by several factors such as the movement of tectonic plates, volcanic activity, underground explosions, and hydraulic fracturing, which involves pumping a mixture of water, sand, and chemicals under high pressure into shale and other rock formations to create fractures that allow for the release of natural gas and oil. The frequency of seismic activity, the location of active fault lines, and the sensitivity of seismic monitoring equipment are all factors that can influence the number of significant earthquakes that occur in a given year.

Seismic activity is present in every state, but in many cases, it is so low that it is barely noticeable. North Dakota and Florida are the states with the lowest seismic activity. However, CEOWORLD magazine has identified states with the highest risk of seismic activity based on data from the USGS. They have ranked the states in ascending order based on the number of earthquakes with a magnitude of 3.0 or higher that occurred in the US between 2010 and 2015, which is the most recent year for which complete records are available. Please note that only earthquakes that have occurred after 1900, when some form of instrumental earthquake record-keeping began, are included in the list.

Most of the earthquakes that occurred in the US in 2022 were of low magnitude, which resulted in minimum damage or casualties. However, there were a few exceptions, such as the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Alaska in March 2022. This was the most significant earthquake to hit Alaska in over half a century, leading to extensive damage and injuries. It is essential to note that the magnitude of an earthquake is not always an accurate indicator of the damage it can cause. Other factors such as the earthquake’s depth, the type of soil or rock it occurs in, and its location can also impact the level of damage it produces. The location of the earthquake includes how close it is to inhabited areas, how densely populated these regions are, and the amount of infrastructure present.

1. Alaska
   Interruptions of magnitude 3.0 or above from 2010-2015: 9,020
   The count of noteworthy seismic events in 2022: 10
   Most powerful earthquake since 1900: 9.2 (March 27, 1964)
   Populace in 2022: 733,583
   Alaska is situated near the tectonic boundary between the Pacific and North American plates, which causes frequent earthquakes. The Great Alaska Earthquake of 1964, the strongest earthquake ever recorded in American history, was one of the state’s many notable seismic occurrences.
2. Oklahoma
   Interruptions of magnitude 3.0 or above from 2010-2015: 1,714
   The count of noteworthy seismic events in 2022: 1
   Most powerful earthquake since 1900: 7.9 (Oct. 17, 1989
   Populace in 2022: 4,019,800
   Oklahoma has seen an unexpected rise in earthquake activity recently, despite not being historically regarded as a highly seismic zone. Surprisingly, this has pushed Oklahoma ahead of California, which has typically been one of the two states most prone to earthquakes. The procedures involved in producing oil and gas, such as hydraulic fracturing, which involves injecting gas into the ground, have been linked to this increase in seismic activity.
3. California
   Interruptions of magnitude 3.0 or above from 2010-2015: 1,545
   The count of noteworthy seismic events in 2022: 14
   Most powerful earthquake since 1900: 7.8 (April 1, 1946)
   Populace in 2022: 39,029,342
   After Oklahoma surpassed California as the state with the highest frequency of earthquakes in the continental United States, many of which are probably now related to fracking and other oil and gas activities, Oklahoma is now the state with the highest frequency of earthquakes. Because the Sunshine State is traversed by the San Andreas Fault and other active fault lines, it is vulnerable to exceptionally powerful and catastrophic earthquakes.
4. Nevada
   Interruptions of magnitude 3.0 or above from 2010-2015: 513
   The count of noteworthy seismic events in 2022: 0
   Most powerful earthquake since 1900: 6.8 (March 26, 1993)
   Populace in 2022: 3,177,772
   There are many active fault lines in Nevada, such as Walker Lane, which can cause moderate to severe earthquakes. Due to their proximity to fault lines, Las Vegas and the surrounding areas are more vulnerable to seismic activity.
5. Wyoming
   Interruptions of magnitude 3.0 or above from 2010-2015: 508
   The count of noteworthy seismic events in 2022: 0
   Most powerful earthquake since 1900: 7.0 (Feb. 28, 1949)
   Populace in 2022: 581,381
   There is sporadically seismic activity in Wyoming, which is a part of the Intermountain Seismic Belt. Situated in the northwest region of the state, the Teton Fault is a noteworthy seismic phenomenon.
6. Hawaii
   Interruptions of magnitude 3.0 or above from 2010-2015: 200
   The count of noteworthy seismic events in 2022: 4
   Most powerful earthquake since 1900: 7.7 (Nov. 29, 1975)
   Populace in 2022: 1,440,196
   Although they are more frequently linked to volcanic activity, earthquakes can also occur in Hawaii. Seismic events can be caused by magma flow and the presence of active volcanoes, particularly on the Big Island.
7. Kansas
   Interruptions of magnitude 3.0 or above from 2010-2015: 104
   The count of noteworthy seismic events in 2022: 0
   Most powerful earthquake since 1900: 4.7 (June 9, 2018)
   Populace in 2022: 2,937,150
   As part of a network of faults that originated between 300 million and 250 million years ago, during the Pennsylvanian and Permian periods, Kansas is located within the Humboldt fault zone, which stretches from southeast Kansas into northeastern Oklahoma. The Ozark Plateau’s uplift is thought to have caused crustal forces that led to the formation of the Humboldt fault zone. Currently, it is thought to be comparatively dormant.
8. Idaho
   Interruptions of magnitude 3.0 or above from 2010-2015: 95
   The count of noteworthy seismic events in 2022: 0
   Most powerful earthquake since 1900:  7.2 (July 17, 1917)
   Populace in 2022: 1,939,033
   Idaho has considerable seismic activity and is a component of the Intermountain Seismic Belt. The Teton Fault and the Lost River Fault are two of the state’s active fault systems.
9. Montana
   Interruptions of magnitude 3.0 or above from 2010-2015: 89
   The count of noteworthy seismic events in 2022: 0
   Most powerful earthquake since 1900:  7.1 (June 1, 1954)
   Populace in 2022: 1,122,867
   With seismic activity connected to the Intermountain Seismic Belt, Montana is located in an active tectonic zone. In general, Montana has fewer and milder earthquakes than some other states.
10. Texas
    Interruptions of magnitude 3.0 or above from 2010-2015: 83
    The count of noteworthy seismic events in 2022: 2
    Most powerful earthquake since 1900: 7.4 (March 12, 1934)
    Populace in 2022: 30,029,572
    Recent years have seen an upsurge in seismic activity in Texas, which has been mostly linked to fracking and other oil and gas operations. The Permian Basin and the western and central regions of the state, which include the Dallas–Fort Worth region, are the most seismically active.
11. Utah
    Interruptions of magnitude 3.0 or above from 2010-2015: 69
    The count of noteworthy seismic events in 2022: 0
    Most powerful earthquake since 1900: 5.3 (May 16, 1984)
    Populace in 2022: 3,380,800
    Utah is located where the Pacific and North American plates converge. Small to moderate earthquakes occur often there, especially in the western portion of the state close to the Wasatch Fault Zone.
12. Arkansas
    Interruptions of magnitude 3.0 or above from 2010-2015: 68
    The count of noteworthy seismic events in 2022: 0
    Most powerful earthquake since 1900: 5.6 (March 26, 1990)
    Populace in 2022: 3,045,637
    The fault system that crosses Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, and Kentucky is known as the New Madrid Seismic Zone, and it includes Arkansas. The New Madrid Earthquake, which struck the region on December 16, 1811, is thought to have had a magnitude of between 7.5 and 7.9, a force so great that it changed the Mississippi River’s path. This earthquake is the most significant in Arkansas history.
13. Arizona
    Interruptions of magnitude 3.0 or above from 2010-2015: 61
    The count of noteworthy seismic events in 2022: 0
    Most powerful earthquake since 1900: 5.1 (July 28, 1975)
    Populace in 2022: 7,359,197
    Although it is rarely without earthquakes, Arizona is typically thought to have a low degree of seismic activity. The state’s northern region, close to the boundary between Arizona and Utah, experiences the most notable activity, which is linked to the tectonic activity of the Colorado Plateau and the transition zone to the Basin and Range Province.
14. Washington
    Interruptions of magnitude 3.0 or above from 2010-2015: 60
    The count of noteworthy seismic events in 2022: 0
    Most powerful earthquake since 1900: 5.0 (March 13, 1967)
    Populace in 2022: 7,785,786
    The Juan de Fuca Plate is subducting beneath the North American Plate in the Cascadia Subduction Zone, which includes Washington State. Strong seismic events, including megathrust earthquakes, with potentially large effects, can occur in this region.
15. Colorado
    Interruptions of magnitude 3.0 or above from 2010-2015: 56
    The count of noteworthy seismic events in 2022: 0
    Most powerful earthquake since 1900: 5.8 (Sept. 3, 2016)
    Populace in 2022: 5,839,926
    Tectonic action along the Rocky Mountains is the primary cause of seismic activity in Colorado. The majority of seismic events in the state take place in the western portion, especially in the area close to the Colorado–New Mexico border. There have previously been minor and moderate earthquakes in the state.

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