Live seismic activity in Montana — updated every 60 seconds from USGS data. Montana is part of the Intermountain Seismic Belt, and the 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake is the strongest in its recorded history.
See real‑time seismic activity in Montana. This page shows all earthquakes from the last 24 hours, updated every 60 seconds from USGS.
Western Montana lies in the Intermountain Seismic Belt, a zone of frequent small to moderate earthquakes. The 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake (M7.3) killed 28 people, triggered the Madison Canyon landslide and created Quake Lake. The 2017 Lincoln earthquake (M5.8) was among the strongest in recent decades. Major faults include the Hebgen Lake Fault, Red Canyon Fault, and faults of the Intermountain Seismic Belt. Notable quakes include the 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake (M7.3), the 1935 Helena earthquakes (M6.2) and the 2017 Lincoln earthquake (M5.8). The seismic risk is moderate to high. Tectonically, Montana lies on intraplate crust at the northern end of the Basin and Range and Intermountain Seismic Belt. This page provides real‑time USGS data and historical context for Montana.
See earthquakes today in Montana with real‑time USGS data. Filter by magnitude, depth, and find earthquakes near me in Montana. Updated every 60 seconds.
The region is defined by Hebgen Lake Fault, Red Canyon Fault, Intermountain Seismic Belt faults, and the risk level is classified as Moderate to High. With a population of 1.1 million, understanding local seismic hazards is crucial.
Montana lies on Intraplate – Intermountain Seismic Belt. The movement of these plates builds up stress, which is released as earthquakes. In subduction zones, one plate dives beneath another, generating some of the largest quakes on Earth. In some regions, strike‑slip faults produce frequent moderate earthquakes.
Use the live map above – it shows all earthquakes from the last 24 hours, updated every 60 seconds from USGS. Click any dot for details.
The strongest recorded earthquake in Montana was the 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake (M7.3). 1959 Hebgen Lake (M7.3)
Montana experiences low to moderate seismic activity, with occasional felt earthquakes, according to USGS historical data.
The most recent major earthquake in Montana was the 2017 Lincoln earthquake (M5.8). 2017 Lincoln (M5.8)
Yes. Montana is crossed by Hebgen Lake Fault, Red Canyon Fault, Intermountain Seismic Belt faults, making it prone to seismic activity. The seismic risk level is classified as Moderate to High.
Drop, cover, and hold on. Stay away from windows, and if outdoors, move to an open area. After the shaking stops, check for injuries and be ready for aftershocks. Prepare an emergency kit with water, food, first aid, and a flashlight.
Data sources: USGS real‑time feed, USGS historical archive, and Wikipedia. Page refreshes live earthquake data every 60 seconds.