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Recent earthquakes in Washington state, what they mean and how to prepare for them

Stories by Tacoma News Tribune journalists, with AI summarization

Recent seismic activity in Washington has drawn attention to the region’s earthquake risks and preparedness efforts. A series of earthquakes, including a 4.5-magnitude event on Orcas Island, underscores the state’s seismic vulnerability due to its proximity to the Cascadia Subduction Zone and multiple active fault lines. Experts say that small tremors do not predict larger quakes and suggest they are common, random occurrences.

Residents are urged to secure household items, maintain emergency kits, and participate in statewide drills such as the Great Washington ShakeOut. Emphasis remains on the “drop, cover, and hold on” approach to minimize harm during an earthquake.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

DOT officials who are standing on the pavement of Washington 101 look down to the landslide that occurred during the 6.8 earthquake at 10:55 a.m. on Wednesday, February 28, 2001. The highway material and other earth slid down to cover the Modrona Beach Road in Thurston County. By Bruce Kellman

NO. 1: DOES A SERIES OF SMALL EARTHQUAKES MEAN THE ‘BIG ONE’ IS MORE LIKELY? WE ASKED WA EXPERTS

A string of earthquakes has hit Washington in recent weeks. Are they connected, and do they tell us anything about the odds of a larger quake? | Published March 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Daniel Schrager

A 3.4-magnitude earthquake struck San Martin in Northern California, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

NO. 2: 3.0-MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE SHAKES WESTERN WASHINGTON, SEISMOLOGISTS SAY. WHAT TO KNOW

The earthquake struck east of Tacoma. | Published February 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Helena Wegner

A 3.4 magnitude earthquake may have woken up residents near Auburn and east Pierce County on Feb. 22, 2025.

NO. 3: 3.4-MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE NEAR AUBURN, POTENTIALLY FELT IN PARTS OF EAST PIERCE COUNTY

Residents may have felt the earthquake close to 4 a.m. | Published February 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Puneet Bsanti

Two earthquakes, one measuring 4.0-magnitude, hit Pinnacles National Park in California within minutes on New Year’s Eve..

NO. 4: 2.8-MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE SHAKES WESTERN WASHINGTON, SEISMOLOGISTS SAY. WHAT TO KNOW

The quake hit west of Seattle. | Published February 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Helena Wegner

A 3.4-magnitude earthquake struck San Martin in Northern California, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

NO. 5: 4.5-MAGNITUDE QUAKE HITS IN WESTERN WASHINGTON, SEISMOLOGISTS SAY. ‘SHOOK US AWAKE’

More than 6,000 people reported feeling the “significant shaking.” | Published March 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Helena Wegner

The Cascadia subduction zone is locked by friction at depths lower than 18 miles. Strain slowly builds up until the fault’s frictional strength is exceeded and the rocks slip past each other in a “megathrust” earthquake.

NO. 6: WA IS SEEING A STRING OF EARTHQUAKES. HERE’S HOW EXPERTS SAY YOU SHOULD STAY PREPARED

A 4.5 magnitude earthquake by Orcas Island was the largest to hit Washington since 2020. Here’s how you can prepare for even a minor quake. | Published March 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Daniel Schrager

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.