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HISTORIC EARTHQUAKES IN ALABAMA

Seismogram of October 24, 1997, Escambia County, Alabama Earthquake

Earthquakes with epicenters in Alabama have been recorded throughout most of the state. Recent seismograph records indicate that earthquakes are more frequent than records indicate, but they are often not strong enough to be felt by people on the land surface. Although an earthquake can occur anywhere at anytime in Alabama, most are likely to do little or no damage.

The largest known earthquake in Alabama happened October 1916 in northern Shelby County. Intensity was VII on the Modified Mercalli Scale, indicating a strong earthquake. The largest instrumentally recorded earthquake had a magnitude of 4.9 on October 24, 1997, in Escambia County. Another earthquake of the same magnitude occurred April 29, 2003, near Fort Payne in DeKalb County.

The map below shows the epicenters of earthquakes recorded in Alabama since 1886. A table of Earthquakes in Alabama provides information on the location and effects of earthquakes in the state.