Can Colorado Have Earthquakes?

Can Colorado have earthquakes? We sure can! While Colorado doesn't see as much seismic activity as San Francisco, the Rocky Mountains sure have a history of shaking at times.

Some of Colorado's biggest earthquakes are believed to have happened long before seismology equipment was able to take important measurements. Still, using the data collected at the time, we can take a closer look at some of Colorado's largest quakes that happened from around 1870 to 2023. Many were felt here in Grand Junction.

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Colorado's Largest Earthquake

Known as "The Big One", Colorado's largest earthquake took place long before we had the proper equipment to really see how big this thing was. We're talking about the North Central Colorado Earthquake of 1872. Believed to have measured a 6.6 magnitude, this earthquake shook communities from Northeastern Utah, almost all of Colorado, and most of southern Wyoming.

Colorado's Earthquakes Have Come in Bunches

As a consequence of blowing up the earth in search of gold and silver, Colorado saw a big spike in earthquakes from 1880 to 1900. Another spike happened between 1960 and 1967. Was this a result of blowing up the earth to build nuclear missile siloes deep underground or perhaps the Eisenhower Tunnell cause a few more shifts? We can't prove any of this right now, but the events could easily be related.

How Many Earthquakes Does Colorado See Each Year?

Believe it or not, Colorado actually averages over 60 earthquakes each year. We hardly feel any of them but they are there. Colorado's Geographic Survey has nine sensors throughout the state that are always on alert. These sensors provide live updates of any movement happening underground. Scroll on to see some of Colorado's most significant earthquakes on record.

Check Out Colorado's 15 Most Significant Earthquakes (1900-2023)

Can Colorado have earthquakes? You bet! The state of Colorado did not begin keeping records of seismic activity until around 1900. From the largest earthquake to hit the state to a few of the more recent, scroll on to check out the most significant earthquakes to affect the state of Colorado.

LOOK: The Most Expensive Weather and Climate Disasters in Recent Decades

Stacker ranked the most expensive climate disasters by the billions since 1980 by the total cost of all damages, adjusted for inflation, based on 2021 data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The list starts with Hurricane Sally, which caused $7.3 billion in damages in 2020, and ends with a devastating 2005 hurricane that caused $170 billion in damage and killed at least 1,833 people. Keep reading to discover the 50 of the most expensive climate disasters in recent decades in the U.S.

KEEP GOING: The Most Common Last Names in Colorado - Is One Yours?

Is your last name one of the most common in Colorado? Find out the top 30 last names in Colorado below. You'll see roughly how many people in Colorado have that name, and where it ranks nationwide in the United States.

Source: Can Colorado Have Earthquakes?

Filed Under: Colorado, Places in Colorado

Categories: Outdoors