Earthquake Risk in Illinois

Illinois faces seismic risk from the New Madrid Seismic Zone in its southern region and the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone in the southeast.

The largest earthquake recorded in Illinois was a magnitude 5.2 7 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois on April 18, 2008. Illinois has 15 notable earthquakes on record since 2004, with the most recent being a M3.8 on January 20, 2026.

📍
Notable Earthquakes
15
Recorded in or near Illinois (since 2004)
Largest Earthquake
M5.2
7 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois (Apr 2008)
Most Recent
M3.8
Jan 20, 2026

Notable Earthquakes

Significant earthquakes recorded in or near this state.

MagnitudeLocationDepthDate
M5.2 7 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois 14.2 km Apr 18, 2008
M4.7 9 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois 15.5 km Apr 18, 2008
M4.2 12 km NW of Dayton, Illinois 10.0 km Jun 28, 2004
M4.0 7 km S of Williamsville, Missouri 16.5 km Nov 18, 2021
M4.0 7 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois 18.3 km Apr 21, 2008
M3.9 18 km NNW of Potosi, Missouri 20.8 km Jun 7, 2011
M3.8 4 km NW of Ohlman, Illinois 8.8 km Jan 20, 2026
M3.8 4 km N of Bellmont, Illinois 11.7 km Sep 19, 2017
M3.8 2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois 10.0 km Feb 10, 2010
M3.7 8 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois 13.0 km Apr 25, 2008
M3.6 1 km SSW of Standard, Illinois 5.7 km Nov 15, 2023
M3.6 7 km N of Bellmont, Illinois 18.6 km Nov 20, 2012
M3.6 3 km NNE of Eldorado, Illinois 7.3 km Jan 2, 2006
M3.6 4 km WSW of Blandville, Kentucky 18.7 km Jun 20, 2005
M3.5 5 km SE of New Grand Chain, Illinois 16.3 km May 1, 2016

Cities in Illinois