US state · live catalogue
Earthquakes in Montana
In the last 30 days, 3 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or greater were recorded in Montana; the largest was a magnitude 3.7 earthquake 9 km NNW of Great Falls, Montana, United States on 18 Sep 2026.
Data: USGS · updated · sources and licences
- 24 hours
- 0
- all magnitudes
- 7 days
- 1
- M2.5+
- 30 days
- 3
- M2.5+
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Last 24 hours
No earthquakes recorded in Montana in the last 24 hours.
Earlier this week, magnitude 2.5 and above
| Mag | Location | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|
| 3.3ml | 73 km ENE of Missoula, Montana, United States |
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Largest in the last 30 days
| Mag | Location | Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|
| 3.7ml | 9 km NNW of Great Falls, Montana, United States | |
| 3.3ml | 73 km ENE of Missoula, Montana, United States | |
| 2.7ml | 74 km SW of Anaconda, Montana, United States |
Where they occurred
Largest since 1900
Magnitude 6 and above in Montana.
Loading the historical catalogue…
About earthquakes in Montana
Western Montana is part of the Intermountain Seismic Belt. The 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake (M7.3), just west of Yellowstone National Park, triggered a landslide that dammed the Madison River and killed 28 people.
Earthquakes in Montana are concentrated in the west and southwest of the state, around Helena, the Yellowstone region and the Flathead area.
Local monitoring and information: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology.
Earthquake preparedness checklist · Earthquakes today worldwide
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Questions
How many earthquakes happen in Montana?
In the last 30 days, 3 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or greater were recorded in Montana, 1 of them in the last 7 days. In the last 24 hours, 0 earthquakes of any magnitude were recorded. Most small earthquakes are not felt.
What was the largest recent earthquake in Montana?
The largest in the last 30 days was a magnitude 3.7 earthquake 9 km NNW of Great Falls, Montana, United States on 18 Sep 2026, at a depth of 10 km.
What is the largest earthquake recorded in Montana since 1900?
According to the USGS catalogue, the largest was a magnitude 7.2 earthquake on 18 Aug 1959 (The 1959 Hebgen Lake, Montana Earthquake). Magnitudes of early 20th-century earthquakes are less certain than modern ones.
Where can I get official earthquake information for Montana?
For official information, warnings and safety advice, follow Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology (https://www.mbmg.mtech.edu/) and your local civil protection authority. This site compiles agency reports and is not a warning service.
How are earthquakes assigned to Montana on this page?
An earthquake is listed in Montana when the nearest town to its epicentre, within 200 km, is in the state. Earthquakes farther offshore are not included. Counts of magnitude 2.5 and above are comparable between states; smaller earthquakes depend on how dense the local seismic network is.
Can earthquakes be predicted?
No. Scientists can estimate how likely strong shaking is in a region over years or decades, but no method predicts the time, place and size of a specific earthquake. Aftershocks are expected after large earthquakes and become less frequent over time.