Second Earthquake Strikes Western Washington in 12 Hours

KING COUNTY, Wash. — A second earthquake, measuring 3.2 in magnitude, struck Thursday afternoon in western Washington, just hours after another tremor was recorded in Bremerton. The epicenter was located approximately 4.5 miles northeast of Fall City, raising concerns about the seismic activity in the region.

The afternoon earthquake follows an earlier seismic event on Thursday morning, which was part of a series of quakes that have affected western Washington in recent weeks. Both incidents highlight the region’s geological susceptibility to earthquakes.

The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN) reported that the seismic activity from the 3.2 magnitude quake could potentially be felt in areas as far away as Renton and Gold Bar. “This level of seismic activity is not unusual for the region,” said a PNSN spokesperson. “However, we recommend that residents remain prepared for aftershocks and emergency situations.”

This latest activity is part of a broader pattern of earthquakes that have shaken western Washington. Earlier this month, a quake near Auburn was recorded on Feb. 22, and the day before that, a 4.8 magnitude earthquake struck near British Columbia, indicating an uptick in regional seismic activity.

The persistent earthquakes in Washington State are attributed to the movement of the Juan de Fuca Plate and the North American Continental Plate, where the Juan de Fuca Plate progressively slips beneath the continent. This area is known as the Cascadia Subduction Zone, a significant cause of seismic events in the region.

According to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the state experiences thousands of earthquakes annually, but most are too minor to be felt by residents. Despite these small quakes, Washington holds the second highest risk in the U.S. for experiencing major and damaging earthquakes due to its geological characteristics.

“Residents are encouraged to have an earthquake preparedness plan in place,” the DNR official advised. “Being ready for the unexpected can make all the difference during an earthquake.”