Earthquakes in Portland, Oregon
Last earthquake: 5 hours ago · 15 in past 30 days · Largest: M2.1 · Population 653K
Last updated: July 18, 2026 at 12:48 PM UTC · Data: USGS Earthquake Hazards Program
No significant earthquakes recorded near Portland recently. No M2.5+ events within 75 km in the past 30 days.
Quick Facts — Earthquakes in Portland
- Population
- 653K
- Seismic activity level
- high
- Nearest major fault
- Portland Hills Fault Zone (2 km)
- Largest recorded nearby
- M9.0 (1700 Cascadia earthquake)
- 30-year probability M6.7+
- 25% (NSHM)
- Earthquakes past 30 days
- 15
- 2026 total (M1.0+)
- 90
The Portland area averages about 1.2 magnitude 4.0+ earthquakes per year and has recorded 15 earthquakes (M1.0+) within 75 km in the past 30 days. The largest event in the past 30 days was a magnitude 2.1 event 1 km SSE of Vancouver, Washington.
Portland sits in the high category for U.S. seismic activity. The largest earthquake in or near Portland since records began was the magnitude 9.0 1700 Cascadia earthquake, which struck approximately 180 km west (offshore) of the city.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey's National Seismic Hazard Model, there is approximately a 25% probability of a magnitude 6.7 or greater earthquake within 100 km of Portland in the next 30 years, and a 15% probability of a magnitude 7.0 or greater event. The largest credible earthquake predicted for the Portland area is a magnitude 7.0 event on the Portland Hills Fault Zone, which lies 2 km from downtown Portland. Source: USGS Fact Sheet 2025-3050 (Pacific Northwest)
Portland sits in a region characterized by the southern Cascadia Subduction Zone, with additional seismicity from crustal faults in the Willamette Valley. Beyond the Portland Hills Fault Zone, secondary fault systems include the Cascadia Subduction Zone and Mount Hood Fault Zone. View all earthquakes in Oregon.
2026 Activity vs Historical Average
Earthquake Map — Portland Area
Fault Lines Near Portland
| Fault Name | Type | Distance | Max Credible Mag | Last Major Rupture |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland Hills Fault Zone | reverse | 2 km | M7.0 | paleoseismic data limited |
| Cascadia Subduction Zone | subduction zone | 180 km | M9.0 | 1700 (M9.0) |
| Mount Hood Fault Zone | normal | 75 km | M6.8 | volcanic-related, limited data |
| Gales Creek Fault | right-lateral strike-slip | 35 km | M6.8 | paleoseismic data limited |
Recent Earthquakes (Last 30 Days)
Dataset at a glance — Portland
Over the past 30 days, Portland has recorded 15 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or greater in our tracker. By depth: 15 shallow (<70 km). 4 of the epicenters were offshore. 1 event produced at least one felt report, totalling 1 citizen submissions to the USGS Did You Feel It? system. Focal depths ranged from -1.6 km to 24.5 km. 14 of the 15 solutions have been reviewed by a USGS seismologist; the remaining 1 are automatic and may be refined.
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.
| Time ↓ | Mag ↕ | Location ↕ | Depth ↕ | Felt ↕ | MMI | Alert | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 hours ago 2026-07-18 07:36:40 UTC | 2.1ml | 1 km SSE of Vancouver, Washington 45.631°, -122.655° | 14.4 km | 1 | - | - | Auto | USGS → |
On July 18, 2026 at 07:36 UTC, a magnitude 2.1 earthquake struck 1 km SSE of Vancouver, Washington. It is the largest earthquake currently listed for Portland over the past 30 days. See the M2.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
18 hours ago 2026-07-17 17:58:37 UTC | 1.5ml | 9 km ESE of Scotts Mills, Oregon 44.996°, -122.560° | 15.1 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
This magnitude 1.5 event was detected 9 km ESE of Scotts Mills, Oregon on July 17, 2026, with origin time 17:58 UTC. See the M1.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
4 days ago 2026-07-13 22:25:30 UTC | 1.6ml | 5 km SSW of Yacolt, Washington 45.827°, -122.443° | -0.8 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 1.6 earthquake 5 km SSW of Yacolt, Washington at 22:25 UTC on July 13, 2026. This very shallow event was close enough to the surface that even modest magnitudes can produce significant local shaking. See the M1.6 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-07-10 2026-07-10 20:41:22 UTC | 1.7md | 8 km ESE of Molalla, Oregon 45.109°, -122.479° | -0.5 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On July 10, 2026, Portland registered a magnitude 1.7 earthquake 8 km ESE of Molalla, Oregon at 20:41 UTC. This very shallow event was close enough to the surface that even modest magnitudes can produce significant local shaking. See the M1.7 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-07-09 2026-07-09 20:02:48 UTC | 1.9ml | 21 km W of Forest Grove, Oregon 45.546°, -123.389° | -0.6 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 1.9 earthquake was recorded 21 km W of Forest Grove, Oregon on July 9, 2026 at 20:02 UTC. This very shallow event was close enough to the surface that even modest magnitudes can produce significant local shaking. See the M1.9 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-07-02 2026-07-02 19:35:25 UTC | 1.6ml | 4 km NNE of Kalama, Washington 46.041°, -122.822° | -0.3 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
At 19:35 UTC on July 2, 2026, a magnitude 1.6 tremor occurred 4 km NNE of Kalama, Washington. This very shallow event was close enough to the surface that even modest magnitudes can produce significant local shaking. See the M1.6 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-07-01 2026-07-01 20:01:15 UTC | 1.7ml | 4 km NNW of Mount Hood Village, Oregon 45.389°, -122.010° | -1.6 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 1.7 earthquake 4 km NNW of Mount Hood Village, Oregon with origin time 20:01 UTC on July 1, 2026. This is the shallowest earthquake in the current dataset — a shallow crustal event. See the M1.7 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
Common Questions About Earthquakes in Portland
How often do earthquakes happen in Portland?
Portland experiences frequent earthquake activity. The area averages 12 earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater per year, with 0.15 reaching magnitude 5.0 or higher. In the past 30 days, 15 earthquakes (M1.0+) have been recorded within 75 km of the city.
What was the biggest earthquake to hit Portland?
The largest earthquake in or near Portland since records began was the magnitude 9.0 1700 Cascadia earthquake in 1700, which struck approximately 180 km west (offshore) of the city.
What is the earthquake risk in Portland?
Earthquakes cannot be predicted with precision. However, the U.S. Geological Survey estimates there is approximately a 25% probability of a magnitude 6.7 or greater earthquake within 100 km of Portland in the next 30 years. The most likely source is the Portland Hills Fault Zone, which has a maximum credible magnitude of 7.0.
What fault lines are near Portland?
The Portland Hills Fault Zone runs approximately 2 km from Portland and is the most significant local seismic threat, with a maximum credible magnitude of 7.0. Other nearby faults include the Cascadia Subduction Zone (180 km), the Mount Hood Fault Zone (75 km), the Gales Creek Fault (35 km).
Was there an earthquake in Portland today?
No earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or greater have been recorded within 75 km of Portland in the past 30 days.
About This Page
This page is maintained by Earthquake Tracker, an independent seismic activity reporting service. Earthquake data is sourced from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program and updated every hour. Probability estimates use the USGS National Seismic Hazard Model (NSHM 2023). Historical earthquake data is sourced from the USGS Historical Earthquake Catalog. Fault information comes from the USGS Quaternary Fault and Fold Database and SCEC Community Fault Model.
Last data refresh: July 18, 2026 at 12:48 PM UTC