People in Western Montana Rattled By Unusually Big Earthquake

Earthquakes in Montana are fairly common. The Intermountain Seismic Belt extends throughout much of the western part of the state. Montana ranks 4th in the country for most seismically active states.

On Monday, residents of Livingston, Montana, and the surrounding area reported feeling an earthquake. According to USGS, the quake happened at 12:28 p.m. and measured 4.1 on the Richter scale. The epicenter of the quake was located six miles northwest of Livingston. The earthquake was felt in Livingston, Belgrade, Bozeman, Big Timber, and the Shields Valley. No injuries have been reported.

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The Livingston Area Chamber posted the following question on Facebook on Monday afternoon.

Several residents in the area reported feeling the earthquake.

Mike said;

Rattled our dish's on the old Clyde park road.

Danette said;

That was a BIG jolt!!

Desirae said;

Oofta I thought it was the trains

The 4.1 magnitude earthquake is the largest reported in the Livingston area in the past 10 years. In 2019, an earthquake that measured 2.4 on the Richter Scale was reported in Livingston.

2019 was a very active year when it comes to seismic activity. Manhattan was shaken by several earthquakes. A 4.0 magnitude earthquake was the largest reported in the area.

The largest earthquake in Montana's history occurred on August 17, 1959. A 7.5 magnitude earthquake caused a mountain to fall near Hebgen Lake and temporarily blocked a section of the upper Madison River. You can learn more about the devastating quake at the Earthquake Lake Visitors Center.

For more information about the earthquake, please visit the USGS website.