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Seismicity in West Virginia and the Region


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Did you feel an earthquake?Latest EarthquakesMap of Earthquake EpicentersView Signals for Local Seismic StationsUSGS Info for WVRecent Significant Earthquakes in Our RegionNeighboring States' Seismic Information

Did you feel an earthquake?

Did you feel it?
Did you just feel some kind of ground movement? A shaking, jolt, or swaying motion? Report it to the United States Geological Survey for investigation here. In each case, they will record your input. If it's large enough or if a number of people report the same event, the USGS will examine local seismic records to determine a location and magnitude.

Earthquakes and tectonic plate boundaries

plates and quakes image
See where recent earthquakes are located relative to tectonic plate boundaries here from the USGS.

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Latest Local Earthquakes (click image for more detail)

image of map and information pertaining to the March 20, 2023 Ohio earthquake Monday, March 20, 2023, Rio Grande, OH - 6:54 PM (EDT)  NEW!
Magnitude: 2.5 Md
Hypocentral Depth: 2.5 Magnitude - 5.5 km (3.4 miles), +/- 3.2 km error
USGS Event ID: 2.5 Mag. se60500543
Did You Feel It?: Contact USGS here, https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/se60500543/tellus (Fill out a short form)
Further Information (as of 3/24/2023): 2.5 mag. - USGS Event Page
Download: WVGES Document pdf icon as seen on the left, (PDF, 1.75 MB)

image of map and information pertaining to the February 17, 2023 West Virginia earthquakes Friday, February 17, 2023 - 4:54 PM (EST), Point Pleasant, WV  NEW!
Magnitude: 2.61 Md
Hypocentral Depth: 2.61 Magnitude - 0.1 km (328 feet), +/- 3.6 km error
USGS Event ID: 2.61 Mag. se60139853
Did You Feel It?: Contact USGS here, 2.61 Mag.https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/se60500438/tellus (Fill out a short form)
Further Information (as of 2/22/2023): 2.61 mag. - USGS Event Page
Download: WVGES Document pdf icon as seen on the left, (PDF, 1.51 MB)

image of map and information pertaining to the August 9, 2022 West Virginia earthquakes Tuesday, August 9, 2022 - 8:36 AM (EST), Huntersville, WV  NEW!
Magnitude: 2.04 Md
Hypocentral Depth: 2.04 Magnitude - 13.7 km (8.5 miles), +/- 0.4 km error
USGS Event ID: 2.04 Mag. se60158843
Did You Feel It?: Contact USGS here, 2.04 Mag.https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/se60158843/tellus (Fill out a short form)
Further Information (as of 8/12/2022): 2.04 mag. - USGS Event Page
Download: WVGES Document pdf icon as seen on the left, (PDF, 1.55 MB)

image of map and information pertaining to the December 7, 2021 West Virginia earthquakes Tuesday, December 7, 2021 - 5:06 AM (EST), Union, WV  
Magnitude: 1.86 Md
Hypocentral Depth: 1.86 Magnitude - 1.5 km (0.9 miles), +/- 5.5 km error
USGS Event ID: 1.86 Mag. se60139853
Did You Feel It?: Contact USGS here, 1.86 Mag.https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/se60139853/tellus (Fill out a short form)
Further Information (as of 12/9/2021): 1.86 mag. - USGS Event Page
Download: WVGES Document pdf icon as seen on the left, (PDF, 1.53 MB)

image of map and information pertaining to the September 27, 2021 Virginia earthquakes Monday, September 27, 2021 - 9:37 AM (EDT), Lafayette, VA  
Magnitude: 2.6 Md
Hypocentral Depth: 2.6 Magnitude - 12.4 km (7.7 miles), +/- 1.0 km error
USGS Event ID: 2.6 Mag. se60135043
Did You Feel It?: Contact USGS here, 2.6 Mag.https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/se60135043/tellus (Fill out a short form)
Further Information (as of 9/28/2021): 2.6 mag. - USGS Event Page
Download: WVGES Document pdf icon as seen on the left, (PDF, 1.74 MB)

image of map and information pertaining to the July 14, 2021 Virginia earthquakes Wednesday, July 14, 2021 - 8:55 PM (EDT), Narrows, VA  
Magnitude: 2.8 Md
Hypocentral Depth: 2.8 Magnitude - 20.4 km (12.7 miles), +/- 1.5 km error
USGS Event ID: 2.8 Mag. se60349277
Did You Feel It?: Contact USGS here, 2.8 Mag.https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/se60349277/tellus (Fill out a short form)
Further Information (as of 7/15/2021): 2.8 mag. - USGS Event Page
Download: WVGES Document pdf icon as seen on the left, (PDF, 1.44 MB)

image of map and information pertaining to the May 21, 2021 Ohio earthquake Friday, May 21, 2021, Athalia, OH - 12:53 AM (EDT)  
Magnitude: 2.5 Md
Hypocentral Depth: 2.5 Magnitude - 19.4 km (12.1 miles), +/- 2.1 km error
USGS Event ID: 2.5 Mag. se60128123
Did You Feel It?: Contact USGS here, https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/se60128123/tellus (Fill out a short form)
Further Information (as of 5/21/2020): 2.5 mag. - USGS Event Page
Download: WVGES Document pdf icon as seen on the left, (PDF, 1.61 MB)

image of map and information pertaining to the February 11, 2021 Virginia earthquakes Thursday, February 11, 2021 - 10:54 PM (EST), Richlands, VA  
Magnitude: 2.58 Md
Hypocentral Depth: 2.58 Magnitude - 13.5 km (8.4 miles), +/- 3.0 km error
USGS Event ID: 2.58 Mag. se60122223
Did You Feel It?: Contact USGS here, 2.58 Mag.https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/se60122223/tellus (Fill out a short form)
Further Information (as of 2/12/2021): 2.58 mag. - USGS Event Page
Download: WVGES Document pdf icon as seen on the left, (PDF, 851 KB)

image of map and information pertaining to the February 11, 2021 Virginia earthquakes Thursday, February 11, 2021 - 7:47 PM (EST) and 7:54 PM (EST), Richlands, VA  
Magnitude: 2.35 Md and 2.13 Md
Hypocentral Depth: 2.35 Magnitude - 0.0 km (0.0 miles), +/- 3.8 km error; 2.13 Magnitude - 0.0 km (0.0 miles), +/-0 7.1 km error
USGS Event ID: 2.35 Mag. se60324577; 2.13 Mag. se60122323
Did You Feel It?: Contact USGS here, 2.35 Mag.https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/se60324577/tellus or 2.13 Mag.https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/se60122323/tellus (Fill out a short form)
Further Information (as of 2/15/2021): 2.35 mag. - USGS Event Page and 2.13 mag. - USGS Event Page
Download: WVGES Document pdf icon as seen on the left, (PDF, 3.31 MB)

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Latest Notable Earthquakes Worldwide (click image for more detail)

image of map and information pertaining to the March 1, 2023 Papuan earthquake Wednesday, March 1, 2023, Kimbe, Papua-New Guinea - 12:36 AM (EST)  NEW!
Magnitude: 6.5 Mww
Hypocentral Depth: 6.5 Magnitude - 598.9 km (372.1 miles), +/- 5.5 km error
USGS Event ID: 6.5 Mag. us7000jgfd
Further Information (as of 3/1/2023): 6.5 Mag. - USGS Event Page
Download: WVGES Document pdf icon as seen on the left, (PDF 1.69 MB)


image of map and information pertaining to the March 2, 2023 Vanuatu earthquake Thursday, March 2, 2023, Port-Olry, Vanuatu - 1:04 PM (EST)  NEW!
Magnitude: 6.5 Mww
Hypocentral Depth: 6.5 Magnitude - 10.0 km (6.2 miles), +/- 1.8 km error
USGS Event ID: 6.5 Mag. usd000j5jt
Further Information (as of 3/3/2023): 6.5 Mag. - USGS Event Page
Download: WVGES Document pdf icon as seen on the left, (PDF 1.64 MB)


image of map and information pertaining to the March 4, 2023 Kermadec Islands earthquake Saturday, March 4, 2023, Kermadec Islands, Pacific Ocean - 1:41 AM (EST)  NEW!
Magnitude: 6.9 Mww
Hypocentral Depth: 6.9 Magnitude - 205.7 km (127.8 miles), +/- 4.4 km error
USGS Event ID: 6.9 Mag. us7000jh99
Further Information (as of 3/7/2023): 6.9 Mag. - USGS Event Page
Download: WVGES Document pdf icon as seen on the left, (PDF 2.46 MB)


image of map and information pertaining to the March 7, 2023 Filipino earthquake Tuesday, March 7, 2023, San Mariano, Philippines - 1:02 AM (EST)  NEW!
Magnitude: 6.0 Mww
Hypocentral Depth: 6.0 Magnitude - 38.6 km (24.0 miles), +/- 6.1 km error
USGS Event ID: 6.0 Mag. us7000jhtd
Further Information (as of 3/9/2023): 6.0 Mag. - USGS Event Page
Download: WVGES Document pdf icon as seen on the left, (PDF 688 KB)


image of map and information pertaining to the March 7, 2023 Papuan earthquake Tuesday, March 7, 2023, Kavieng, Papua-New Guinea - 8:51 AM (EST)  NEW!
Magnitude: 6.0 Mww
Hypocentral Depth: 6.0 Magnitude - 10.0 km (6.2 miles), +/- 1.8 km error
USGS Event ID: 6.0 Mag. us7000jhw8
Further Information (as of 3/9/2023): 6.0 Mag. - USGS Event Page
Download: WVGES Document pdf icon as seen on the left, (PDF 1.58 MB)


image of map and information pertaining to the March 13, 2023 Papuan earthquake Monday, March 13, 2023, Madang, Papua-New Guinea - 8:49 PM (EDT)  NEW!
Magnitude: 6.3 Mww
Hypocentral Depth: 6.3 Magnitude - 213.0 km (132.4 miles), +/- 1.9 km error
USGS Event ID: 6.3 Mag. us7000jjp7
Further Information (as of 3/14/2023): 6.3 Mag. - USGS Event Page
Download: WVGES Document pdf icon as seen on the left, (PDF 1.73 MB)


image of map and information pertaining to the March 15, 2023 Pacific Ocean earthquake Wednesday, March 15, 2023, Kermadec Islands, Pacific Ocean - 8:56 PM (EDT)  NEW!
Magnitude: 7.0 Mww
Hypocentral Depth: 7.0 Magnitude - 22.1 km (13.7 miles), +/- 4.6 km error
USGS Event ID: 7.0 Mag. us7000jkbd
Further Information (as of 3/20/2023): 7.0 Mag. - USGS Event Page
Download: WVGES Document pdf icon as seen on the left, (PDF 1.56 MB)


image of map and information pertaining to the March 18, 2023 Ecuadoran earthquake Saturday, March 18, 2023, Balao, Ecuador - 1:12 PM (EDT)  NEW!
Magnitude: 6.8 Mww
Hypocentral Depth: 6.8 Magnitude - 65.8 km (40.9 miles), +/- 3.3 km error
USGS Event ID: 6.8 Mag. us7000jl3s
Further Information (as of 3/20/2023): 6.8 Mag. - USGS Event Page
Download: WVGES Document pdf icon as seen on the left, (PDF 1.77 MB)


image of map and information pertaining to the March 21, 2023 Afghan earthquake Tuesday, March 21, 2023, Jurm, Afghanistan - 12:47 AM (EDT)  NEW!
Magnitude: 6.5 Mww
Hypocentral Depth: 6.5 Magnitude - 187.6 km (116.6 miles), +/- 4.8 km error
USGS Event ID: 6.5 Mag. us7000jln7
Further Information (as of 3/22/2023): 6.5 Mag. - USGS Event Page
Download: WVGES Document pdf icon as seen on the left, (PDF 2.04 MB)


image of map and information pertaining to the March 22, 2023 Argentinian earthquake Wednesday, March 22, 2023, San Antonio de los Cobres, Argentina - 12:00 PM (EDT)  NEW!
Magnitude: 6.5 Mww
Hypocentral Depth: 6.5 Magnitude - 210.0 km (130.5 miles), +/- 6.0 km error
USGS Event ID: 6.5 Mag. us7000jlxu
Further Information (as of 3/22/2023): 6.5 Mag. - USGS Event Page
Download: WVGES Document pdf icon as seen on the left, (PDF 1.73 MB)


image of map and information pertaining to the March 27, 2023 Solomon Islands earthquake Monday, March 27, 2023, Buala, Solomon Islands - 6:19 PM (EDT)  NEW!
Magnitude: 6.1 Mww
Hypocentral Depth: 6.1 Magnitude - 86.0 km (53.4 miles), +/- 5.2 km error
USGS Event ID: 6.1 Mag. us6000k05c
Further Information (as of 3/29/2023): 6.1 Mag. - USGS Event Page
Download: WVGES Document pdf icon as seen on the left, (PDF 2.37 MB)


image of map and information pertaining to the March 28, 2023 Japanese earthquake Tuesday, March 28, 2023, Misawa, Japan - 5:18 AM (EDT)  NEW!
Magnitude: 6.0 Mww
Hypocentral Depth: 6.0 Magnitude - 34.0 km (21.1 miles), +/- 1.8 km error
USGS Event ID: 6.0 Mag. us6000k09q
Further Information (as of 3/29/2023): 6.0 Mag. - USGS Event Page
Download: WVGES Document pdf icon as seen on the left, (PDF 703 KB)


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Map of Earthquake Epicenters of West Virginia: 1824 through 2023 (Data as of 3/10/2023)

image of the map of Earthquake Epicenters of West Virginia
Download this interactive PDF map.

Updated!
Earthquake epicenter data were compiled from several regional "catalogs". These catalogs consist of seismic event information that have been reviewed by seismologists. Unless otherwise noted, earthquake catalogs do not contain readings from "blast" or other related mining activity.

Earthquake records are divided into two types: "historic" ones which were felt or recorded without sophisticated seismic equipment and "instrumental" ones that have data derived from networks of sophisticated equipment.

The PDF map is layered and interactive! Download the PDF and view in Adobe Acrobat Reader (not a web browser). You can turn off/on features, labels, or text. View what you want and print what you want!

Downloads:

File Type & Size Info
WV_Earthquake_Epicenters_20230310.pdf PDF, 2.75 MB The map plus 3 pages of basice earthquake listings and information.
West_Virginia_Earthquake_Catalog_202303.xlsx XLSX, 113 KB The detailed Microsoft Excel workbook that was used to create the map. It has more information than what is included with the map.
Earthquake_Map_2023.gdb.zip Zipped GDB, 924 KB Spatial file: File geodatabase of our Earthquake catalog
Earthquake_Map_Ancillary_Data.gdb.zip Zipped GDB, 1.23 MB Spatial File: Auxillary geodatabase of features used in the map.
Earthquake_Map_Layer_Files.zip Zipped LYR, 8 KB Spatial File: Layer files to symbolize the earthquake events.
Earthquake_Map_2022_Metadata.zip Zipped HTML and XML, 108 KB Metadata (HTML or XML) for the earthquake Events List and Seismic Stations List

Interactive Online Map:

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View Signals for West Virginia Seismic Stations

MCWV Plot Data:
image of sample seismic helicorder plot
WVGES has an official USGS seismic station with two seismometers on site. Like radio stations with call letters, ours is "MCWV" which is "Mont Chateau West Virginia". Information about the MCWV Station can be found here. As of May 2015, the majority of seismic stations that were part of the Transportable Array Program sponsored by IRIS (Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology) have moved out of West Virginia. Five seismic stations of the original fourteen have been made part of the Central and Eastern United States Network (CEUSN) operated by the Scripps Institute of Oceanography at the University of California - San Diego. They remain in place and all are currently operational.

View current seismic reading "snapshots" from the links below! Explanation of the signal trace on a seismogram.

♦ Latest report from our seismic station MCWV via USGS here. (USGS Website)

♦ View detailed information for the other five Seismic Stations located across West Virginia here.  

♦ Current and recent seismic helicorder plots via the Virginia Tech Seismic Observatory (VTSO) here
.
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Information from USGS Concerning Earthquakes in West Virginia and Region

icon of the shape of West Virgiinia
♦ USGS: West Virginia, Earthquake History: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/states/west_virginia/history.php
♦ USGS: West Virginia, Earthquake Information: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/states/index.php?regionID=48

Also, see these studies:

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Recent Significant Earthquakes in Our Region

icon of the shape of Ohio Ohio:
December 31, 2011, Magnitude 4.0 - Youngstown-Warren Urban Area, Ohio:
♦ From USGS: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqinthenews/2011/usc0007f7s/

icon of the shape of Virginia
Virginia:
August 23, 2011, Magnitude 5.8 - Mineral-Lewis, Virginia:
♦ Compiled by WVGES: VA Quake
♦ From USGS: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqinthenews/2011/se082311a/
♦ From USGS; View and download USGS Summary Poster: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqarchives/poster/2011/20110823b.php
♦ From Virginia DMME: https://www.dmme.virginia.gov/DGMR/earthquake2011.shtml
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Neighboring States' Seismic Information

icon of the shape of Kentucky Kentucky
Earthquakes and Other Geologic Hazards, (Kentucky Geological Survey).

icon of the shape of Maryland Maryland
Earthquakes and Maryland, (Maryland Geological Survey).
Maryland Seismic Network, (Maryland Geological Survey).

icon of the shape of Ohio Ohio
The Ohio Seismic Network, (Ohio DNR, Division of Geological Survey).

icon of the shape of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania
Earthquakes in Pennsylvania, (Pennsylvania Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey).

icon of the shape of Virginia Virginia
Earthquakes, (Virginia DMME, Virginia DMME Division of Geology and Mineral Resources).
Information on the August 23, 2011 1:51 pm; 5.8 Magnitude Earthquake

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Page last revised March 29, 2023.
Please send web site questions, comments, or suggestions to webmaster.
WVGES address   WV Geological & Economic Survey
1 Mont Chateau Road
Morgantown, WV 26508
Phone: (304) 594-2331
Fax: (304) 594-2575
info@wvgs.wvnet.edu
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