Recent earthquakes in Montana
Montana's earthquakes occur mainly in the southwest, within the Intermountain Seismic Belt where Basin and Range extension reaches the Rocky Mountains near cities such as Helena and Bozeman. The 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake (M7.3), just south near Yellowstone, triggered a massive landslide that dammed a river and created Quake Lake. It is the largest in the region's history. In the past 24 hours, Montana has recorded no earthquakes above the reporting threshold.
Counts include M2.5+ events — the smallest size USGS reports consistently worldwide.
Recent earthquakes
| Magnitude | Time (UTC) | Depth | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| M2.5 | Oct 25, 09:38 UTC | 12 km | 12 km N of Powell, Wyoming |
Notable recent activity
An M2.5 earthquake struck 12 km N of Powell, Wyoming at 09:38 UTC on Oct 25 at a depth of 12 km.
Frequently asked questions
Does Montana get earthquakes?
Yes. Southwestern Montana is among the more seismically active parts of the interior United States, lying within the Intermountain Seismic Belt. Helena, Bozeman, and the area near Yellowstone experience frequent small earthquakes.
What was the Hebgen Lake earthquake?
The August 17, 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake, magnitude 7.3, struck near the Montana-Yellowstone border. It triggered a huge landslide that killed 28 people and dammed the Madison River, forming Quake Lake. It is the largest historical earthquake in the northern Rockies.
Is Yellowstone a factor in Montana's earthquakes?
The Yellowstone volcanic system, straddling the Montana-Wyoming border, generates frequent earthquake swarms tied to underground fluid and magma movement. Most are small, and they are one component of the region's broader tectonic activity.
Nearby regions
Live data from the USGS earthquake feeds. Magnitudes and depths are automated readings and may be revised. Not for emergency use.