TONASKET, Wash. — A 3.0 magnitude earthquake struck northwest of Tonasket early Wednesday morning, marking the latest in a swarm of 37 quakes recorded in the region over the past week.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported the tremor occurred at 7:23 a.m., about six miles northwest of Tonasket in Okanogan County. At least 24 people reported feeling the shaking, though no injuries or damage have been confirmed.
The recent activity forms a noticeable seismic cluster spanning the area between Tonasket, Ellisforde, and Loomis, raising interest from geologists monitoring the region.
While earthquakes are a daily occurrence in Washington, according to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, damage typically does not occur unless a quake exceeds a magnitude of 4.0 or higher. Still, the high frequency of recent quakes—37 in seven days—has drawn attention to the northern part of the state.
Among the 37 recorded quakes, three measured 3.0 magnitude or greater:
3.2M at 4:01 a.m. on Sunday, April 13
3.1M at 6:46 p.m. on Saturday, April 12
3.0M at 7:23 a.m. on Wednesday, April 16
The rest ranged from 1.0 to 2.9 magnitude, with the majority occurring on April 12 and 13. A full timeline of the seismic activity is available on the USGS earthquake map.
Geologists say these swarms provide insight into underground stress patterns but don’t necessarily predict larger quakes. Anyone who felt the shaking on Wednesday is encouraged to report their experience on the USGS “Did You Feel It?” platform to support ongoing research.
The situation remains under observation as scientists monitor whether the seismic trend continues.