3.6 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Near Great Falls

A magnitude 3.6 earthquake struck just north of Great Falls on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 7:40 a.m., becoming the first seismic event in the area since February 26, 2026. The quake occurred approximately 3.1 miles northwest of Black Eagle and had an epicenter nearly identical to that of a magnitude 3.7 aftershock recorded on February 12 this year. Seismologist Andres Castro from the Montana Bureau of Mines & Geology stated that while recent activity appears within normal seismic behavior, it is likely part of an ongoing aftershock sequence following a larger initial event in January and early February. No injuries, serious damage, or infrastructure impacts have been reported.