Earthquakes in Nebraska

0 earthquakes in the last 24 hours• Latest significant: M2.9

Earthquake Map

Map showing earthquake epicenter at 41.49°, -99.90°

Recent Earthquakes (Last 30 Days)

Dataset at a glance — Nebraska

Over the past 30 days, Nebraska has recorded 2 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or greater in our tracker. The remaining 2 fell in the M2.5–M3.9 band. By depth: 2 shallow (<70 km). 1 of the epicenters were offshore. 2 events produced at least one felt report, totalling 6 citizen submissions to the USGS Did You Feel It? system. Focal depths ranged from 5.0 km to 9.9 km. All 2 solutions have been reviewed by a USGS seismologist.

Leading the list is a magnitude 2.9 event near 7 km E of Cowles, Nebraska at 5.0 km depth, which drew 3 felt reports from the public. The second-ranked event, at magnitude 2.5 near 10 km NNE of Damar, Kansas, trails by 0.4 magnitude units — a narrow gap, indicating two comparably energetic events in the current window.

Each row in the table below includes a narrative summary of the event, ordered by time. Use the column headers to sort or filter by magnitude.

Showing 2 of 2
Time Mag Location Depth Felt MMIAlertStatusDetails
2026-05-27
2026-05-27 12:43:07 UTC
2.5mb_lg
10 km NNE of Damar, Kansas
39.406°, -99.532°
9.9 km3--✓ ReviewedUSGS →
A magnitude 2.5 earthquake was recorded 10 km NNE of Damar, Kansas on May 27, 2026 at 12:43 UTC. A small number of nearby observers (3) submitted felt reports to the USGS. At a depth of 9.9 km, the event was shallow crustal. Geolocation places the event at 39.406°N, -99.532°E. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M2.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data.
2026-05-11
2026-05-11 14:40:16 UTC
2.9mb_lg
7 km E of Cowles, Nebraska
40.168°, -98.358°
5.0 km3--✓ ReviewedUSGS →
On May 11, 2026 at 14:40 UTC, a magnitude 2.9 earthquake struck 7 km E of Cowles, Nebraska. It is the largest earthquake currently listed for Nebraska over the past 30 days. A small number of nearby observers (3) submitted felt reports to the USGS. The hypocenter lay at 5.0 km, placing this in the shallow crustal category. The event was offshore — common for earthquakes along subduction zones and transform plate boundaries. The epicenter is at 40.168°, -98.358°. See the M2.9 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data.
Legend:
Mag: Magnitude ({magType} = ml, mb, mw, etc.)
Felt: Number of DYFI felt reports
MMI: Modified Mercalli Intensity (I-X+)
Alert: PAGER alert level
Depth: Shallow (<70km), Intermediate, Deep (>300km)
Status: Auto = preliminary, Reviewed = verified by seismologist
Click any row to see additional technical details.

Earthquake Statistics

Last 24 Hours0
Last 30 Days2
2026 (M2.5+)8

Largest (30 Days)
M2.9

7 km E of Cowles, Nebraska

2026-05-11

Largest in 2026
M4.1

4 km E of Cowles, Nebraska

2026-03-01

Seismic Risk Level
Low

Data from USGS Earthquake Hazards Program. Updated every 5 minutes.

About Nebraska

Nebraska has very low seismic activity. The state occasionally experiences minor earthquakes, typically originating from distant fault systems.

Nebraska Earthquakes 2026

In 2026, Nebraska has recorded 8 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or greater so far. The largest earthquake in Nebraska in 2026 was a magnitude 4.1 event near Cowles, Nebraska. As of today, seismic monitoring continues with 0 earthquakes detected in the past 24 hours and 2 in the last 30 days.

Seismic Activity in Nebraska

Nebraska has very low seismic activity. The state occasionally experiences minor earthquakes, typically originating from distant fault systems.

Nebraska has a Low seismic risk level based on historical earthquake data and proximity to active fault lines.

Over the past 30 days, there have been 2 recorded earthquakes in this region. The largest recent earthquake was a magnitude 2.9 event near 7 km E of Cowles, Nebraska.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many earthquakes occur in Nebraska?

In the past 30 days, 2 earthquakes have been recorded in the Nebraska region. The number varies based on seismic activity in the area.

What was the biggest recent earthquake in Nebraska?

The largest recent earthquake in the Nebraska area was a magnitude 2.9 event that occurred 7 km E of Cowles, Nebraska.

Is Nebraska at risk for earthquakes?

Nebraska has a low seismic risk level. Nebraska has very low seismic activity. The state occasionally experiences minor earthquakes, typically originating from distant fault systems.

How can I prepare for earthquakes in Nebraska?

Residents should secure heavy furniture, create an emergency kit with supplies for 72 hours, develop a family communication plan, and practice "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" during earthquake drills. Visit our preparedness section for detailed guides.