Nebraska · Earthquakes
Nebraska earthquakes today and on record
Earthquakes are rare in Nebraska, but not unknown. The USGS catalog lists 23 of magnitude 3.5 or more since 1900, the largest a magnitude 5.1 in 1964. 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
- M5.1 (1964)
- M3.5+ since 1900
- 23
- M5+ since 1900
- 1
Earthquakes in Nebraska this week
No earthquakes recorded in this period.
That is normal here. Many years pass without a quake big enough to feel.
Biggest earthquakes in Nebraska since 1900
| Mag | Where | Date | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.1 | 11 km NW of Merriman, Nebraska | Mar 28, 1964 | 30 km |
| 4.6 | 6 km WNW of Elk Creek, Nebraska | Mar 1, 1935 | 0 km |
| 4.4 | Near Battle Creek, Nebraska | Jul 28, 1902 | 0 km |
| 4.3 | 14 km S of Chadron, Nebraska | Jul 30, 1934 | 0 km |
| 4.3 | 36 km NNW of Hyannis, Nebraska | May 7, 1978 | 15 km |
| 4.3 | 16 km SSW of Butte, Nebraska | Nov 3, 2002 | 5 km |
| 4.1 | 5 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | Jun 30, 2018 | 5 km |
| 4.1 | 4 km E of Cowles, Nebraska | Mar 1, 2026 | 5 km |
| 3.9 | 8 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | Jul 1, 2018 | 5 km |
| 3.8 | 28 km ESE of Gordon, Nebraska | Feb 9, 1989 | 5 km |
| 3.8 | 2 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | Jul 2, 2018 | 5 km |
| 3.7 | 10 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska | Apr 10, 2018 | 5 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 Nebraska?
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 Nebraska?
A magnitude 5.1 near Merriman, Nebraska on March 28, 1964, the largest in the USGS catalog for the state since 1900.
Does Nebraska get earthquakes?
Earthquakes are rare in Nebraska, but not unknown. The USGS catalog lists 23 of magnitude 3.5 or more since 1900, the largest a magnitude 5.1 in 1964. The USGS national hazard map is the best guide to the chance of strong shaking where you live.
Also in Nebraska
Nebraska 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.