What is the strongest earthquake to hit the US?

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

The largest earthquake to hit the United States struck on March 28, 1964. The magnitude 9.2 quake struck Prince William Sound in Alaska, devastating the state and triggering a tsunami.

The following is a list of the largest earthquakes that have hit the country in the recorded history of the U.S.

  1. March 28, 1964: Prince William Sound, Alaska, 9.2 magnitude
  2. March 9, 1957: Andreanof Islands, Alaska, 8.8 magnitude
  3. Feb. 4, 1965: Rat Islands, Alaska, 8.7 magnitude
  4. Nov. 10, 1938: East of Shumagin Islands, Alaska, 8.3 magnitude
  5. July 10, 1958: Lituya Bay, Alaska, 8.3 magnitude
  6. Sept. 10, 1899: Yakutat Bay, Alaska, 8.2 magnitude
  7. Sept. 4, 1899: Near Cape Yakataga, Alaska, 8.2 magnitude
  8. May 7, 1986: Andreanof Islands, Alaska, 8.0 magnitude
  9. Feb. 7, 1812: New Madrid, Missouri, 7.9 magnitude
  10. Jan. 9, 1857: Fort Tejon, California, 7.9 magnitude

About the Author