Remembering the 2001 Nisqually earthquake 25 years later

Remembering the 2001 Nisqually earthquake 25 years later

Twenty-five years ago this month, the magnitude 6.8 Nisqually earthquake hit the Puget Sound area, rocking the ground for 40 seconds or more and causing several billion dollars in damage. As the anniversary approaches, the Washington Military Department's Emergency Management Division is encouraging residents to learn about earthquake hazards and get prepared. Experts are also hosting two panels in Seattle to talk about the Nisqually earthquake and what it meant for the region.

There's an 85% chance of another deep earthquake of magnitude 6.5 or greater striking the region sometime in the next 50 years, according to the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network and U.S. Geological Survey's most recent 2025 research.

Individuals and families who know the hazards where they live, work, learn and play can take specific actions to help them survive during and after a disaster. The Prepare in a Year Guide can help with that.

The Feb. 28, 2001, Nisqually earthquake especially highlighted the threat of unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings. These older, masonry buildings are typically built pre-1958 before modern building codes and were not constructed to withstand earthquake shaking, making them susceptible to partial or even total collapse.

The state's Emergency Management Division (EMD) released two videos to help residents understand the importance of unreinforced masonry buildings during earthquakes:

• How to stay safe during an earthquake when near Unreinforced Masonry Buildings
• What are features of Unreinforced Masonry Buildings?

EMD has been working with the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation to update a statewide inventory of URM buildings first created in 2018. The department has worked with local partners in Tacoma, Everett and Bainbridge Island to complete on-the-ground surveys of these buildings and helped the Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup develop an Unreinforced Masonry (URM) Building Survey Workflow Guidebook.

Learn more about earthquake recovery and how earthquake insurance works in this recent podcast hosted by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

Residents are invited to attend events happening to commemorate the Nisqually earthquake anniversary.

• 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Feb. 24 at the Kelly Ethnic Cultural Theatre, 3930 Brooklyn Avenue Northeast at the University of Washington in Seattle. Pacific Northwest Seismic Network is hosting a session called "25 years since the Nisqually earthquake, are we ready for the next one?" It will feature panelists (scientists, engineers and emergency managers) and lots of opportunities for the audience to ask questions. Space is limited. Reserve a ticket here.
• 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., Feb. 26 at Seattle City Hall, Bertha Knight Landes Room, (Floor 1 of City Hall, Fifth Avenue Entrance), 600 4th Ave, Seattle. This commemoration event is focused on public awareness, resilience and action with an emphasis on the importance of the seismic vulnerability of unreinforced masonry buildings. Join the city of Seattle, earthquake scientists, emergency managers and building experts for an evening discussing quake damages, what's been learned since and what it will take to be ready for future earthquakes. Register here.

Important Links

Find preparedness tips for your family and neighborhood

Unreinforced Masonry Building Resources

The Great Washington ShakeOut on Oct. 15, 2026