Earthquake Risk in North Dakota
North Dakota has very low seismic risk and is one of the least seismically active states. Earthquakes are extremely rare, though the state has experienced a few small events. Oil and gas activity in the Bakken formation is monitored for potential induced seismicity.
The largest earthquake recorded in North Dakota was a magnitude 3.3 22 km ESE of Williston, North Dakota on September 28, 2012. North Dakota has 3 notable earthquakes on record since 2004, with the most recent being a M2.6 on August 13, 2026.
Notable Earthquakes
3
Recorded in or near North Dakota (since 2004)
Largest Earthquake
M3.3
22 km ESE of Williston, North Dakota (Sep 2012)
Most Recent
M2.6
Aug 13, 2026
Notable Earthquakes
Significant earthquakes recorded in or near this state.
| Magnitude | Location | Depth | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| M3.3 | 22 km ESE of Williston, North Dakota | 5.0 km | Sep 28, 2012 |
| M2.6 | 2 km SE of Amidon, North Dakota | 5.0 km | Aug 13, 2026 |
| M2.6 | 6 km ESE of Goodrich, North Dakota | 18.0 km | Nov 15, 2008 |
Explore More
All States
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming