For upon |The Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology provides an online interactive map of earthquake information for Montana, much of Idaho and Wyoming, and nearby areas of Washington, Oregon, North Dakota, South Dakota, Alberta, and British Columbia.

The map provides the locations, dates, and magnitudes of historical earthquakes. For Montana only, additional map data include recently active faults, seismic hazard zones, and a generalized geologic map.

Click here to access the MBMG interactive earthquake map.

Source: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology

Gallatin County, with the Intermountain Seismic Belt running through the middle, is historically very prone to earthquakes. In fact, Montana has 7-10 earthquakes that occur each day making it the fourth most seismically active state. The 14th largest earthquake in the contiguous United States occurred in 1959 at Hebgen Lake. The Hebgen Lake Earthquake measured Magnitude 7.5, killed 28 people, displaced 80 million tons of rock, and caused over 11 Million dollars in damage.

Yellowstone National Park is one of the largest volcanic systems in the world. The formation of Yellowstone is the result of several large eruptions, each forming components that make up the park today. Activity in this volcanic system results in several thousand earthquakes each year in the park. In 1975 a 6.1 earthquake occurred in Norris Geyser Basin.

Between the active faults, and volcanic systems, the region around Gallatin County is very prone to earthquakes.

Click Here for Montana’s Earthquake History.

Each time an earthquake occurs in Montana, the news media and public asks, “Does Montana have earthquakes?” Short answer: Yes!

In comparison with California, Nevada, and Utah, major earthquakes here are infrequent. But each year, hundreds of earthquakes do occur in and around Montana. Taking steps now to prepare your family and home will help mitigate the effects of moderate to severe earth-shaking.

The Great Montana ShakeOut is an annual opportunity to practice how to be safer during big earthquakes: “Drop, Cover and Hold On.” The ShakeOut has also been organized to encourage you, your community, your school, or your organization to review and update emergency preparedness plans and supplies, and to secure your space in order to prevent damage and injuries.

The article was originally published here.