What is the strongest earthquake to hit the US?

The largest earthquake to hit the United States struck on March 28, 1964. The magnitude 9.2 quake struck Prince William Sound in Alaska, devastating the state and triggering a tsunami.

The following is a list of the largest earthquakes that have hit the country in the recorded history of the U.S.

  1. March 28, 1964: Prince William Sound, Alaska, 9.2 magnitude
  2. March 9, 1957: Andreanof Islands, Alaska, 8.8 magnitude
  3. Feb. 4, 1965: Rat Islands, Alaska, 8.7 magnitude
  4. Nov. 10, 1938: East of Shumagin Islands, Alaska, 8.3 magnitude
  5. July 10, 1958: Lituya Bay, Alaska, 8.3 magnitude
  6. Sept. 10, 1899: Yakutat Bay, Alaska, 8.2 magnitude
  7. Sept. 4, 1899: Near Cape Yakataga, Alaska, 8.2 magnitude
  8. May 7, 1986: Andreanof Islands, Alaska, 8.0 magnitude
  9. Feb. 7, 1812: New Madrid, Missouri, 7.9 magnitude
  10. Jan. 9, 1857: Fort Tejon, California, 7.9 magnitude

About the Author