Earthquakes
New England Earthquake Risk: USGS Map Highlights Shaking Zones Oct 11-17
Albany, NY – Earthquake hazards are drawing attention across the Northeast this week as national seismic maps highlight areas of potentially elevated ground shaking in northern New York, New England a
By Dylan Reeves · 2026-10-12T01:10:47.822Z
Albany, NY – Earthquake hazards are drawing attention across the Northeast this week as national seismic maps highlight areas of potentially elevated ground shaking in northern New York, New England and portions of the Atlantic Coast.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, earthquake shaking hazards vary considerably across the northeastern United States, with localized areas facing greater potential for damaging ground motion than surrounding communities.
Where Are the Northeast's Earthquake Hot Spots? Northern New York, including the Adirondack region, has a history of seismic activity. Areas near the Canadian border and the St. Lawrence Valley have experienced earthquakes, although most are relatively small.
Farther east, portions of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine also experience occasional seismic activity. Coastal New England, including Massachusetts, has a documented earthquake history.
The USGS hazard map illustrates how earthquake risks extend across state boundaries rather than remaining confined to individual cities or counties.
Why the Northeast Still Faces Earthquake Hazards Unlike California, where major fault systems are widely recognized, earthquakes in the Northeast occur within the interior of the North American tectonic plate.
Although damaging earthquakes are less frequent, seismic waves can travel considerable distances through the region's older bedrock, sometimes allowing shaking to be felt across multiple states.
What Residents Should Know This Week Earthquake hazard maps represent long term estimates of potential ground shaking. They are not forecasts of earthquakes occurring today, tonight or later this week.
Residents are encouraged to identify safe locations inside buildings, secure heavy furniture and practice the recommended "Drop, Cover and Hold On" procedure.
The Great ShakeOut earthquake safety drill is scheduled for Thursday, October 15, providing an opportunity for northeastern communities to review emergency preparedness.
There is no indication in the supplied USGS map that a major Northeast earthquake is imminent.