Banner Graphic a collage of images representing various USGS activities

USGS Reports Seattle Area Earthquake

Map showing location of earthquake as described in text. Links to larger image.

A widely felt earthquake, with a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 struck the greater Seattle area, Wed., afternoon (10:55 PST), February 28, 2001, according to the USGS. The earthquake was centered at 47 degrees, 10 minutes, North; 122 degrees, 44 minutes, West. The epicenter is about 15 kilometers northeast of Olympia - between Olympia and Tacoma. The earthquake was about 49 kilometers deep. An earthquake of this depth would be expected to produce widespread and perhaps extensive damage. Damage has been reported in the Seattle area. There are early reports that the earthquake was felt as far south as Eugene, Oregon.

The USGS reported that the area in which the Feb. 28 earthquake struck is seismically quite active. An earthquake of magnitude 6.5 occurred in 1965 (3 people killed) and another of magnitude about 7.0 occurred in 1949 (8 people killed). The epicenter of today's (Feb. 28) earthquake is near that of the 1949 earthquake.

Juan de Fuca Subduction, Juan de Fuca Ridge - Cascade Range