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How Worried Should You Be About Earthquakes in the US?

The most recent analysis of earthquake hazards in the US reminds us that our country has a lot of potential for shaking.

Rocky Planet iconRocky Planet
By Erik Klemetti
Jan 31, 2024 3:05 PMJan 31, 2024 3:10 PM
Part of the USGS Seismic Hazard Map 2023
Part of the USGS map showing the chance of damaging shaking due to an earthquake in the US. Credit: USGS.

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The continent-spanning nature of the United States means that we have a lot of different geologic conditions. The eastern half of the country is in the (mostly) stable part of the North American plate while the western half (including Alaska) is in the much more dynamic part of the plate. However, that doesn't mean that the earthquake hazards that our cities face is only a worry for someone living in California.

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