U.S. state profile · USGS ComCat

Earthquakes in Northern Mariana Islands

Northern Mariana Islands ranks 2nd of 38 U.S. states and territories by catalogued seismic activity - one of the most seismically active U.S. jurisdictions. Below: the full M6+ event history, magnitude and depth profile, and yearly trend.

Compiled by PlainQuake Editorial, Earthquake Data Editorial Team

3,322
M4+ events (since 2005): 62
Major M6+ (since 1900): M7.7
Strongest: ~158
M4+ per year

The verdict

Northern Mariana Islands has logged 3,322 M4+ earthquakes since 2005 and 62 major M6+ events since 1900, the strongest reaching magnitude 7.7.

#2
of 38 U.S. states by M4+ activity: 3,322
catalogued M4+ events (2005–present): M7.7
strongest earthquake on record: 62
major M6+ events since 1900

Average catalogued magnitude is 4.5 - most events are moderate tremors felt but rarely damaging.

2004

2
2005

2
2007

2
2010

1
2013

2
2015

1
2016

1
2018

2
2019

2
2020

1
2023

1
2024

4

What this shows Northern Mariana Islands's most active year for major earthquakes was 1995 (5 M6+ events). Major-quake counts track the episodic release of tectonic stress, not a smooth trend.

Magnitude distribution of major events

Breakdown of the 62 significant (M6+) earthquakes on record for Northern Mariana Islands.

M7.0–7.9

12.9%

M6.0–6.9

87.1%

Depth of major earthquakes

Hypocentral depth of the 62 M6+ events, shallow quakes shake the surface hardest. Average depth: 204 km.

Shallow (<70 km)

45% of events

Intermediate (70–300 km)

29.0% of events

Deep (>300 km)

25.8% of events

USGS seismic hazard context

PGA hazard tiers from the USGS National Seismic Hazard Map, the design-basis shaking used in building codes.

PGA hazard tiers (50-year design life) - Northern Mariana Islands - National Seismic Hazard Map 2023 (USGS NSHM)

Strongest earthquakes in Northern Mariana Islands

The 10 most powerful events on record (USGS, since 1900).

Mag	Location	Depth	Date
7.7	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	196.0 km	Jul 29, 2016
7.6	198 km E of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands	11.4 km	Apr 5, 1990
7.2	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	207.0 km	Oct 31, 2007
7.2	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	25.0 km	Oct 24, 1930
7.1	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	594.9 km	Aug 23, 1995
7.1	233 km NE of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands	15.0 km	Jul 2, 1949
7.0	176 km ESE of San Jose Village, Northern Mariana Islands	15.0 km	May 18, 1913
7.0	233 km ESE of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands	15.0 km	Jun 14, 1942
6.9	Maug Islands region, Northern Mariana Islands	22.2 km	Nov 24, 2023
6.9	Maug Islands region, Northern Mariana Islands	635.0 km	Mar 7, 1962

Significant earthquake record (62 events)

Every catalogued magnitude-6.0-and-above earthquake in Northern Mariana Islands since 1900, most recent first.

Mag	Location	Depth	Date
6.3	266 km NE of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands	31.0 km	Sep 16, 2024
6.8	Maug Islands region, Northern Mariana Islands	222.0 km	Apr 5, 2024
6.2	137 km ENE of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands	10.0 km	Apr 2, 2024
6.1	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	184.0 km	Jan 20, 2024
6.9	Maug Islands region, Northern Mariana Islands	22.2 km	Nov 24, 2023
6.2	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	622.0 km	Jun 13, 2020
6.4	Maug Islands region, Northern Mariana Islands	410.0 km	Jun 28, 2019
6.0	Maug Islands region, Northern Mariana Islands	144.3 km	Feb 12, 2019
6.4	211 km NNE of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands	55.0 km	Aug 28, 2018
6.0	154 km SE of San Jose Village, Northern Mariana Islands	10.0 km	Feb 11, 2018
7.7	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	196.0 km	Jul 29, 2016
6.0	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	586.9 km	Nov 24, 2015
6.0	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	511.0 km	Nov 19, 2013
6.8	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	602.2 km	May 14, 2013
6.1	Maug Islands region, Northern Mariana Islands	427.0 km	Mar 8, 2010
7.2	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	207.0 km	Oct 31, 2007
6.6	Maug Islands region, Northern Mariana Islands	20.0 km	Jan 30, 2007
6.0	Maug Islands region, Northern Mariana Islands	48.6 km	Aug 13, 2005
6.6	89 km N of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands	142.7 km	Feb 5, 2005
6.0	142 km ESE of San Jose Village, Northern Mariana Islands	10.0 km	Nov 3, 2004
6.0	152 km ESE of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands	7.2 km	Oct 4, 2004
6.5	114 km SSE of San Jose Village, Northern Mariana Islands	30.0 km	Aug 14, 2002
6.0	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	33.0 km	Jun 15, 2001
6.3	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	176.5 km	Jul 15, 1996
6.5	248 km N of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands	149.0 km	Jun 9, 1996
6.1	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	224.8 km	Oct 20, 1995
6.2	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	585.8 km	Aug 24, 1995
6.1	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	612.4 km	Aug 24, 1995
6.2	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	587.7 km	Aug 24, 1995
7.1	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	594.9 km	Aug 23, 1995
6.3	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	219.2 km	Dec 30, 1994
6.5	112 km NE of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands	13.5 km	Jun 6, 1993
6.4	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	151.1 km	Jan 18, 1993
6.0	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	192.0 km	Oct 26, 1991
6.3	197 km E of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands	15.5 km	Apr 6, 1990
7.6	198 km E of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands	11.4 km	Apr 5, 1990
6.3	242 km N of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands	161.5 km	Dec 23, 1989
6.4	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	122.5 km	May 4, 1988
6.1	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	22.9 km	Apr 14, 1987
6.3	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	158.5 km	Sep 14, 1983
6.1	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	590.2 km	Jan 4, 1982
6.1	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	601.0 km	Oct 17, 1979
6.1	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	605.0 km	May 10, 1970
6.5	Maug Islands region, Northern Mariana Islands	202.6 km	Jun 17, 1969
6.1	145 km SE of San Jose Village, Northern Mariana Islands	18.2 km	May 20, 1966
6.9	Maug Islands region, Northern Mariana Islands	635.0 km	Mar 7, 1962
6.0	Alamagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	35.0 km	Aug 27, 1961
6.6	Maug Islands region, Northern Mariana Islands	419.5 km	Sep 29, 1960
6.7	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	370.1 km	Feb 1, 1956
6.7	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	189.0 km	Nov 15, 1954
6.0	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	200.0 km	Jul 30, 1953
7.1	233 km NE of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands	15.0 km	Jul 2, 1949
6.3	112 km ENE of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands	35.0 km	Jan 17, 1948
7.0	233 km ESE of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands	15.0 km	Jun 14, 1942
6.3	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	35.0 km	Aug 30, 1941
6.2	42 km N of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands	15.0 km	Jul 26, 1941
6.5	258 km NE of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands	25.0 km	Dec 1, 1938
6.3	215 km ENE of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands	15.0 km	Mar 19, 1932
6.5	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	25.0 km	Oct 28, 1930
7.2	Pagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	25.0 km	Oct 24, 1930
6.6	Alamagan region, Northern Mariana Islands	15.0 km	Feb 10, 1921
7.0	176 km ESE of San Jose Village, Northern Mariana Islands	15.0 km	May 18, 1913

States with similar seismic activity

Comparable catalogued earthquake frequency to Northern Mariana Islands.

Guam

2,453 M4+ events · strongest M6.8

M6.8

California

877 M4+ events · strongest M7.2

M7.2

Puerto Rico

296 M4+ events · strongest M6.4

M6.4

Oregon

263 M4+ events · strongest M6.3

M6.3

U.S. Virgin Islands

220 M4+ events · strongest M6.1

M6.1

Hawaii

203 M4+ events · strongest M6.9

M6.9

Frequently asked questions

How many earthquakes hit Northern Mariana Islands? ▼

The USGS catalog records 3,322 magnitude-4-and-above earthquakes in Northern Mariana Islands since 2005, about 158 per year, plus 62 major (M6+) events catalogued back to 1900.

What was the largest earthquake in Northern Mariana Islands? ▼

The strongest catalogued earthquake in Northern Mariana Islands measured magnitude 7.7. The average magnitude across the M4+ catalog is 4.5.

How does Northern Mariana Islands rank for earthquakes? ▼

Among U.S. states and territories, Northern Mariana Islands ranks 2nd of 38 by catalogued M4+ activity - one of the most seismically active U.S. jurisdictions.

Where does this data come from? ▼

All figures come from the USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat). M4+ counts cover 2005 onward; the significant-event series covers M6+ back to 1900.

Understand the data

How earthquakes are measured

Magnitude scales, seismographs, and depth.

Most active U.S. regions

How the states rank for seismicity.

State rankings

Every state by M4+ activity.

About this data

Every figure on this page is computed directly from the USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat), the public-domain record maintained by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program. State assignment uses USGS place-name geocoding. Two series are combined: a worldwide catalog of magnitude-4.0-and-above events from 2005 onward - the period over which the global seismograph network reliably detects and locates earthquakes everywhere, and a historical series of significant magnitude-6.0-and-above events stretching back to 1900. Magnitudes use the moment-magnitude scale (Mw), the modern standard that supersedes the older Richter scale; because the scale is logarithmic, each whole step represents roughly thirty-two times more energy released. Depth is measured in kilometres from the surface, and shallow earthquakes generally produce stronger surface shaking than deep ones of the same magnitude. Counts reflect what instruments recorded, not every tremor that occurred, and recent events can be revised as seismologists refine the catalog.

Source: USGS ComCat, verify with USGS → · See our methodology for the full pipeline.

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