GREAT FALLS, Montana â A magnitude 3.6 earthquake shook the Great Falls area Friday morning, September 18, 2026, with residents reporting weak shaking miles from the epicenter near Black Eagle. No injuries, serious damage or infrastructure impacts were reported in the initial assessment.
â ď¸ Another Earthquake Strikes Near Great Falls, Montana â ď¸
— Above The Norm News (@abovenormnews) September 18, 2026
Montana | 18 September 2026
A magnitude 3.6 earthquake has struck just 5 km northwest of Black Eagle, right beside Great Falls.
The quake was recorded at 13:40 UTC at a depth of 27.7 km, with light shaking reported in⌠pic.twitter.com/vcsW64utdX
The earthquake struck at about 7:40 a.m. local time and was centered approximately 3.1 miles northwest of Black Eagle, according to U.S. Geological Survey information cited by local media. It was recorded at a depth of about 17.2 miles.
The event is drawing additional attention because it follows a series of earthquakes around Great Falls earlier this year, including a magnitude 4.2 quake in January.
Residents report weak shaking around Great Falls
Friday’s earthquake was strong enough to be noticed beyond the immediate epicenter. Early reports indicated people experienced weak shaking from locations nearly 25 miles away.
Despite being felt across the area, there were no initial reports of injuries, serious structural damage or disruption to local infrastructure.
Residents can follow the latest measurements through the U.S. Geological Survey earthquake map.
USGS cautions that earthquake information issued soon after an event is preliminary and can be revised as scientists review additional seismic data.
Latest quake follows January and February tremors
The September 18 earthquake is the first reported in the Great Falls sequence in several months.
The area’s recent activity began with a magnitude 4.2 earthquake on January 29. A smaller magnitude 2.7 quake followed later that evening.
A magnitude 3.2 earthquake was recorded on January 31, followed by a magnitude 3.7 event on February 12 and a magnitude 2.8 quake on February 26.
- Jan. 29: Magnitude 4.2
- Jan. 29: Magnitude 2.7
- Jan. 31: Magnitude 3.2
- Feb. 12: Magnitude 3.7
- Feb. 26: Magnitude 2.8
- Sept. 18: Magnitude 3.6
Importantly, no injuries, serious damage or infrastructure impacts have been reported from any of those incidents, according to local reporting.
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Was Friday’s earthquake an aftershock?
The four smaller earthquakes that followed January’s magnitude 4.2 event were described as aftershocks in local reporting. Friday’s magnitude 3.6 earthquake is also considered a probable aftershock of that larger event.
That connection should remain qualified rather than treated as definitive until seismologists formally classify the latest earthquake.
Aftershocks can occur after the main earthquake as the surrounding crust adjusts. Their occurrence does not mean that a larger earthquake is certain to follow, and earthquakes cannot be predicted at an exact future time based simply on a smaller tremor occurring.
Smaller earthquakes can still be clearly felt
Magnitude does not translate directly into how strongly every resident experiences an earthquake. Depth, distance from the epicenter, local geology and building characteristics can influence the shaking people notice.
A similar situation occurred when a magnitude 3.4 earthquake near Ontario and California’s Inland Empire was felt by residents despite its relatively modest magnitude.
Much stronger earthquakes can bring different risks. A magnitude 6.2 earthquake near Nikolski, Alaska required authorities to evaluate the potential tsunami threat because of its greater strength and offshore location.
Great Falls residents should watch official updates
The immediate focus is whether USGS revises the magnitude, depth or location and whether additional seismic activity develops near Great Falls.
People who felt the earthquake can submit observations through USGS reporting tools, helping scientists determine how widely the shaking was experienced.
If another earthquake occurs, standard safety guidance is to drop, cover and hold on until the shaking stops. Residents should avoid damaged structures and follow instructions from local emergency officials if hazards are identified.
For now, Friday’s magnitude 3.6 earthquake marks a return of noticeable seismic activity near Great Falls after several relatively quiet months, without reports of serious consequences from the latest tremor.
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