Seattle, Washington – A small but noticeable earthquake jolted parts of the central Puget Sound region early Thursday, briefly shaking homes just outside Seattle and prompting reports from residents across eastern King County.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey and the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, a magnitude 3.0 earthquake struck about 2 kilometers north-northwest of Ames Lake, east of Redmond, at a depth of roughly 17 miles. The quake occurred before dawn and was widely felt despite its modest size due to its proximity to populated suburbs.
Residents in Redmond, Sammamish, and eastern portions of Seattle reported a quick jolt or brief rolling motion, with no immediate reports of damage or injuries. Online “Did You Feel It?” responses showed light shaking across the east side of the metro area, consistent with a shallow crustal event common in western Washington.
Emergency management officials did not issue any alerts, and there were no disruptions reported to utilities, transportation, or critical infrastructure. Quakes of this magnitude are not uncommon in the region and rarely cause damage.
Seismologists note that small earthquakes do not increase the immediate likelihood of a larger event, but they do serve as reminders that the Pacific Northwest remains an active seismic zone. Officials encourage residents to review earthquake preparedness plans and secure heavy items at home.
No aftershocks were reported as of early Friday, and monitoring continues.
