Pennsylvania · Earthquakes
Pennsylvania earthquakes today and on record
Earthquakes are rare in Pennsylvania, but not unknown. The USGS catalog lists 8 of magnitude 3.5 or more since 1900, the largest a magnitude 5.2 in 1998. 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
- M5.2 (1998)
- M3.5+ since 1900
- 8
- M5+ since 1900
- 1
Earthquakes in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania since 1900
| Mag | Where | Date | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.2 | Pymatuning, Pennsylvania | Sep 25, 1998 | 5 km |
| 4.6 | 2 km W of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | Jan 16, 1994 | 5 km |
| 4.5 | 2 km N of Cornwall, Pennsylvania | May 12, 1964 | 1 km |
| 4.2 | 2 km SSW of Conestoga, Pennsylvania | Apr 23, 1984 | 5 km |
| 4.2 | 0 km E of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | Jan 16, 1994 | 5 km |
| 3.8 | Near Allentown, Pennsylvania | May 31, 1908 | 0 km |
| 3.7 | 1 km NE of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania | Mar 11, 1980 | 5 km |
| 3.5 | 2 km ENE of Maple Glen, Pennsylvania | Mar 5, 1980 | 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 Pennsylvania?
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 1998.
What was the biggest earthquake in Pennsylvania?
A magnitude 5.2 near Pymatuning, Pennsylvania on September 25, 1998, the largest in the USGS catalog for the state since 1900.
Does Pennsylvania get earthquakes?
Earthquakes are rare in Pennsylvania, but not unknown. The USGS catalog lists 8 of magnitude 3.5 or more since 1900, the largest a magnitude 5.2 in 1998. The USGS national hazard map is the best guide to the chance of strong shaking where you live.
Also in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania 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.