A small earthquake rattled the Sequim area Sunday afternoon, but there are no reports of damage or injuries.
The U.S. Geological Survey recorded a magnitude 2.6 quake near River Road at about 12:35 p.m. The tremor originated roughly 40.5 kilometers below the surface. So far, only one person has reported feeling it, and officials say there are no reports of injuries or structural damage.
Washington experiences frequent small earthquakes; most are too weak to be noticed. The state is considered to have the second-highest risk in the U.S. for large, damaging earthquakes because of its regional geologic setting, according to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. A quake of this size at this depth typically causes little to no surface impact, which helps explain the limited reports of shaking.
A hopeful note: the lack of damage or injuries is good news, and events like this can serve as a useful reminder to check earthquake preparedness — secure heavy furniture, review family emergency plans, and keep basic supplies on hand.
Additional comments and suggestions for the article:
– Suggested headline: “Small 2.6 Magnitude Quake Jolts Sequim Area; No Injuries or Damage Reported”
– Suggested tags: Earthquake, Sequim, USGS, Preparedness
– Editor note: consider adding a short sidebar with quick earthquake safety tips (Drop, Cover, Hold On; emergency kit checklist).
– Logical explanation: Small-magnitude earthquakes at moderate depths often release energy that dissipates before causing noticeable surface effects; reporting tends to be sparse unless local shaking is clearly felt.
– One-sentence summary: A 2.6 magnitude earthquake struck near River Road in the Sequim area Sunday afternoon at about 12:35 p.m., depth ~40.5 km, with only one felt report and no reported damage.