2 small earthquakes hit back-to-back in Washington
Jun 26, 2026, 1:09 PM | Updated: 3:01 pm
A map of the two earthquakes in Washington. (Image courtesy of the United States Geological Survey)
(Image courtesy of the United States Geological Survey)
Two small earthquakes struck Washington just hours apart overnight Thursday.
A 2.9-magnitude quake hit about a mile southeast of Easton at around 10:30 p.m. Thursday. Another quake hit about seven miles east of Carnation at around 1 a.m. Friday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Washington faces high earthquake risk
Washington faces some of the highest earthquake risk in the country, according to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
There is an earthquake every day in Washington, but most of them are too small to be felt, DNR noted. Earthquakes occur when rocks slide past one another on a fracture in the Earth’s crust called a fault, which can be a few inches to a thousand miles long.
“Larger faults are studied more closely because they can produce larger earthquakes,” officials stated.
Faults are sorted into three categories based on orientation: reverse fault, strike-slip fault, and normal fault.
An example of the three faults. (Image courtesy of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources)
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Preparing for a major earthquake
DNR said damaging earthquakes could strike anywhere in the state, and that scientists are constantly working to improve tools that help residents prepare.
“Earthquake scientists have prepared, and continue to improve, products that can help Washington’s citizens live as safely as possible in earthquake country,” officials stated.
During an earthquake, officials advised dropping to hands and knees, covering heads and necks, and holding onto a sturdy shelter until the shaking stops.
More information on earthquake preparedness is available on DNR’s website.
USGS manages ShakeAlert to keep citizens informed of strong earthquakes. Android and iOS have built-in alerts, but the MyShake app is also available for download.
The public can also keep up with the latest seismic movements on MyNorthwest’s earthquake tracker.
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