Earthquakes Risk by US State — Maps, Data & Home Preparedness | HomeRiskMap

Earthquakes strike without warning, and significant seismic zones exist far beyond the West Coast.

How to prepare your home

Secure heavy furniture, water heaters and appliances to walls.
Know how to shut off gas, water and electricity.
Practice Drop, Cover and Hold On with your household.
Consider a seismic retrofit for older homes, especially cripple-wall foundations.
Standard homeowners insurance excludes earthquakes — evaluate separate coverage.

Official sources

All states ranked by earthquakes risk

Highest exposure first. Click a state for the full earthquakes briefing and source links.

Alaska Alaska is the most earthquake-prone state in the country, and if you own a home here, you're in a level 5… Very High California California has more earthquake risk than any other state, and it's not just the Bay Area or LA. If you're… Very High Washington Washington is rated 5 of 5 for earthquake risk, with threats from the Cascadia subduction zone, shallow… Very High Nevada Nevada is one of the most seismically active states in the U.S., with frequent earthquakes driven by Basin… High Oregon Oregon sits above the Cascadia Subduction Zone and several active inland faults, so damaging earthquakes are… High Utah Utah sits within the Intermountain Seismic Belt, one of the most seismically active regions in the contiguous… High Arkansas Arkansas sits far enough from the West Coast that a lot of people tune out earthquakes, but the New Madrid… Moderate Hawaii Hawaii gets a level 3 out of 5 for earthquake risk, which is moderate but not nothing. Most of the action is… Moderate Idaho Idaho's statewide earthquake risk is a 3 out of 5, which means it's real but not the highest in the country.… Moderate Kentucky If you're buying a house in Kentucky, earthquake risk probably isn't the first thing on your mind, but it… Moderate Missouri Missouri faces a moderate-to-high earthquake risk, primarily from the New Madrid Seismic Zone in the… Moderate Montana Montana is seismically active, especially in the western part where the Intermountain Seismic Belt runs.… Moderate South Carolina South Carolina experiences earthquakes, primarily in the coastal Lowcountry around Charleston and… Moderate Tennessee Tennessee has a moderate-to-high earthquake risk, primarily from the New Madrid Seismic Zone in the west and… Moderate Wyoming Wyoming has a moderate earthquake risk — not California, but not zero either. If you live near Jackson,… Moderate Alabama Alabama sits at level 2 out of 5 for earthquake risk, which is low but not zero. If you own an older brick… Low Arizona Arizona is not a high earthquake state, but it's not zero either. The Arizona Department of Emergency and… Low Colorado Colorado has a level 2 out of 5 earthquake risk, which sounds low until you remember that standard homeowners… Low Connecticut Connecticut isn't a big earthquake state, but small quakes do happen and they can crack old chimneys and… Low Georgia Georgia isn't a high earthquake state, but small quakes do happen — mostly near the South Carolina line and… Low Illinois Illinois gets a 2 out of 5 on our earthquake risk scale, but the New Madrid and Wabash Valley seismic zones… Low Indiana Indiana's earthquake risk is low overall, but the southwest corner near the Wabash Valley and New Madrid… Low Maine Maine's earthquake risk is low—level 2 out of 5—but small quakes do happen. Your standard homeowners… Low Massachusetts Massachusetts has a relatively low but not negligible earthquake risk, rated level 2 out of 5. The state… Low Mississippi Mississippi has a relatively low earthquake risk, rated level 2 out of 5 by HomeRiskMap. The greatest risk is… Low New Hampshire New Hampshire sits within the Northeast seismic zone, where earthquakes are infrequent but real: the 1940… Low New Mexico HomeRiskMap rates New Mexico at level 2 of 5 for earthquake risk, reflecting a moderate but not extreme… Low New York New York experiences a moderate level of earthquake risk, with the most significant seismic activity… Low North Carolina North Carolina has a low-to-moderate earthquake risk, rated 2 out of 5. Most quakes are small, but the 2020… Low Ohio Ohio has a relatively low earthquake risk compared to many other states, but the western part of the state,… Low Oklahoma Oklahoma experiences earthquakes, primarily in the central and north-central parts of the state, with a risk… Low Vermont Vermont experiences occasional earthquakes, though they are generally less frequent and weaker than those on… Low Virginia Virginia has a moderate earthquake risk, rated Level 2 out of 5, with most activity concentrated in the… Low Delaware Delaware sits in one of the quieter seismic spots on the East Coast, and the statewide earthquake rating is… Very Low District of Columbia If you own a rowhouse in District of Columbia, your earthquake risk is low but not zero—the ground can… Very Low Florida Florida is one of the lowest earthquake-risk states in the country, so I wouldn’t lose sleep over fault… Very Low Iowa If you're buying a house in Iowa, earthquake risk is very low—level 1 out of 5 on the state scale. But that… Very Low Kansas Kansas sits in a low earthquake zone, but that doesn't mean zero — small quakes and occasional felt shaking… Very Low Louisiana Louisiana is a low earthquake state — our statewide rating is 1 out of 5 — but low isn’t zero, and… Very Low Maryland Maryland has a low earthquake hazard compared with the West Coast, but earthquakes are still felt here. Most… Very Low Michigan Earthquake risk in Michigan is very low, rated level 1 of 5 by the state. The state has no active faults and… Very Low Minnesota Minnesota has a low earthquake risk, rated Level 1 of 5. While the state is not near a major plate boundary,… Very Low Nebraska Earthquakes in Nebraska are uncommon and the state is rated 1 out of 5 for this hazard, but small to moderate… Very Low New Jersey New Jersey has a low earthquake risk, rated 1 out of 5, but the state is not immune to seismic activity. The… Very Low North Dakota North Dakota has a very low earthquake risk, rated Level 1 of 5 by the USGS. The state is far from major… Very Low Pennsylvania Pennsylvania has a low earthquake risk, rated level 1 out of 5. While the state is not on a major plate… Very Low Rhode Island Rhode Island has a relatively low earthquake risk compared with active seismic regions, but small and… Very Low South Dakota South Dakota has a very low earthquake risk, rated level 1 out of 5. The state is far from major seismic… Very Low Texas Earthquake risk in Texas is generally low, but several regions—including West Texas, the Panhandle, and… Very Low West Virginia West Virginia has a low earthquake risk, rated Level 1 out of 5. While major earthquakes are rare, minor… Very Low Wisconsin Wisconsin has a very low earthquake risk, rated Level 1 out of 5. The state is far from major tectonic plate… Very Low

Official maps for earthquakes

About these rankings

Which states have the highest earthquakes risk?: Alaska currently ranks at the top of this list (Very High). Rankings are statewide averages — a county can sit well above or below that score.
Does homeowners insurance cover earthquakes?: Earthquake damage is typically excluded from a standard homeowners policy. Coverage is a separate policy or endorsement.
How should I use this ranking?: Find your state, open the state × hazard page, then verify the address on the official maps linked there. This page is a comparison tool, not a determination.

Last updated: June 12, 2026. Rankings are state-wide estimates based on public hazard data (FEMA, NOAA, USGS) — always verify your specific address with official sources.

Related guides

Cripple Wall Retrofit: Strengthen Your Home's Earthquake Defenses

Cripple Wall Retrofit: Strengthen Your Home's Earthquake DefensesLearn how a cripple wall retrofit can prevent your older home from collapsing in an earthquake. Understand the basics, why it…Jun 21, 2026Read guide →

How to Strap Your Water Heater for Earthquake Safety

How to Strap Your Water Heater for Earthquake SafetyLearn why securing your water heater is critical after an earthquake and get step-by-step instructions to strap it properly,…Jun 21, 2026Read guide →

Earthquake Drills for Kids and Seniors: Drop, Cover, Hold On

Earthquake Drills for Kids and Seniors: Drop, Cover, Hold OnLearn how to practice 'Drop, Cover, and Hold On' with children and older adults. This guide provides step-by-step drills,…Jun 21, 2026Read guide →