M2.9 Earthquake 17 km E of Butte, Montana — April 27, 2026
2026-04-27 03:32:34 UTC (1 day ago) · approx. 8:32 PM UTC-7 local
Felt by 42 people across nearby locations.
On April 27, 2026 at 03:32 UTC, a magnitude 2.9 shallow crustal earthquake struck 17 km E of Butte, Montana, at a depth of 12.7 km and coordinates 45.9854°, -112.3135°. This earthquake was detected by 51 seismic stations with excellent location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 144, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 2.9 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 338 kg of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 60 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
The epicenter is located in Montana, a region characterized by the Intermountain Seismic Belt, a diffuse zone of crustal deformation between the stable craton and the Basin and Range. View all earthquakes in Montana.
Learn more: Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences
Did You Feel It? — community-reported shaking
Aggregated felt-report intensity from 42 citizen responses to the USGS Did You Feel It? system. Each colored zone represents the average MMI from reports in that area.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey Did You Feel It?. View on USGS · submit your own report
Earthquake Details
-112.3135°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 2.9 earthquake near Butte, Montana?
The magnitude 2.9 earthquake that struck 17 km E of Butte, Montana on April 27, 2026 at 03:32 UTC had a depth of 12.7 km. For context, this was a minor earthquake typically detected only by instruments.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 45.9854°, -112.3135°, which is 17 km E of Butte, Montana. View all earthquakes in Montana.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 2.9 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Has Montana had earthquakes this big before?
The largest recorded earthquake in Montana was the M7.3 Hebgen Lake earthquake of August 17, 1959. Today's magnitude 2.9 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.
What should I do after an earthquake?
If you were in the affected area: check yourself and others for injuries, inspect your home for damage, and be prepared for aftershocks. For detailed guidance, see our earthquake safety guide and emergency planning resources.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000st31). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, April 27, 2026). M2.9 Earthquake 17 km E of Butte, Montana — April 27, 2026. Retrieved April 28, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000st31/