Illinois · Earthquakes
Illinois earthquakes today and on record
Illinois gets real earthquakes, though far fewer than the West Coast. Since 1900 the USGS has recorded 43 of magnitude 3.5 or more, and 5 reached magnitude 5. Below: every quake in the state this week, a map, and the biggest since 1900.
Updated . Data: U.S. Geological Survey.
- Last 24 hours
- 0
- Past 7 days
- 0
- Most recent
- None this week
- Largest on record
- M5.3 (1968)
- M3.5+ since 1900
- 43
- M5+ since 1900
- 5
Earthquakes in Illinois this week
No earthquakes recorded in this period.
That is normal here. Quiet weeks happen even in active states.
Biggest earthquakes in Illinois since 1900
| Mag | Where | Date | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3 | 5 km SSW of Norris City, Illinois | Nov 9, 1968 | 16 km |
| 5.2 | 2 km ESE of Claremont, Illinois | Jun 10, 1987 | 5 km |
| 5.2 | 7 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | Apr 18, 2008 | 14 km |
| 5.1 | Southwestern Illinois | Apr 9, 1917 | 0 km |
| 5.0 | Near Aurora, Illinois | May 26, 1909 | 0 km |
| 4.8 | 9 km NNE of McClure, Illinois | Mar 22, 1922 | 0 km |
| 4.8 | 4 km SE of Raleigh, Illinois | Nov 27, 1922 | 0 km |
| 4.7 | 9 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | Apr 18, 2008 | 16 km |
| 4.6 | 9 km NNE of McClure, Illinois | Mar 23, 1922 | 0 km |
| 4.6 | 7 km ENE of Fults, Illinois | Nov 23, 1939 | 0 km |
| 4.5 | Near Petersburg, Illinois | Jul 19, 1909 | 0 km |
| 4.5 | Between Morris and Yorkville, Illinois | Jan 2, 1912 | 0 km |
Quakes of magnitude 3.5+ by decade
Older decades look quieter partly because there were far fewer seismometers. Counts before about 1970 are incomplete.
Good to know
When was the last earthquake in Illinois?
None of magnitude 2.5 or more in the past week. The most recent of magnitude 3.5 or more in the long-term catalog was in 2026.
What was the biggest earthquake in Illinois?
A magnitude 5.3 near Norris City, Illinois on November 9, 1968, the largest in the USGS catalog for the state since 1900.
Does Illinois get earthquakes?
Illinois gets real earthquakes, though far fewer than the West Coast. Since 1900 the USGS has recorded 43 of magnitude 3.5 or more, and 5 reached magnitude 5. The USGS national hazard map is the best guide to the chance of strong shaking where you live.
Also in Illinois
Illinois tornado history · Earthquakes today, nationwide · Did I just feel an earthquake?
Other states
History: USGS earthquake catalog, magnitude 3.5 and up since 1900, matched to the state by location (quakes just offshore count for the nearest state). Live: USGS real-time feeds.