Earthquake Risk in Iowa
Iowa has low seismic risk but is not entirely immune. The state occasionally experiences small earthquakes and can feel effects from the New Madrid Seismic Zone to the south. A M4.3 earthquake struck the Sioux City area in 2022, surprising many residents.
The largest earthquake recorded in Iowa was a magnitude 3.6 2 km NW of Auburn, Nebraska on December 17, 2009. Iowa has 3 notable earthquakes on record since 2004, with the most recent being a M2.7 on June 30, 2021.
Notable Earthquakes
3
Recorded in or near Iowa (since 2004)
Largest Earthquake
M3.6
2 km NW of Auburn, Nebraska (Dec 2009)
Most Recent
M2.7
Jun 30, 2021
Notable Earthquakes
Significant earthquakes recorded in or near this state.
| Magnitude | Location | Depth | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| M3.6 | 2 km NW of Auburn, Nebraska | 5.0 km | Dec 17, 2009 |
| M3.5 | 6 km SSE of Riverton, Iowa | 5.0 km | Jul 16, 2004 |
| M2.7 | 4 km E of Rembrandt, Iowa | 10.0 km | Jun 30, 2021 |
Cities in Iowa
Explore More
All States
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming