Several significant out-of-state intraplate quakes have affected Floridians including a 5.9 quake in the eastern Gulf of Mexico in 2006 and a June 8, 2026, earthquake centered north of Cuba (I experienced this one in Fort Lauderdale). According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), both quakes involved only the North American tectonic plate.
Florida does not sit within tectonic boundaries. It falls outside the Caribbean tectonic plate. But according to a 2000 news story, University of Florida geologist Doug Smith reported there have been about 500 quakes during the past 200 years in the state.
The first recorded tremor of significance occurred near Pensacola in 1780, but
scientists seem to agree that the strongest recorded Florida quake occurred
Jan. 12, 1879. Two tremors, 30 seconds each, “possibly centered in the Palatka
area” were experienced in Cedar Key, Gainesville, Jacksonville, St. Augustine
and Tallahassee.
The southern boundary of the shaking ran from Punta Rassa to Daytona Beach; the northern area affected was Tallahassee to Savannah, Georgia. The tremor was estimated as a 6 to 8 via the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (damage rather than magnitude).
Two other notable quakes were not centered in, but affected Florida:
Jan. 22, 1880 - A Cuba-centered quake sent shockwaves to Key West
with an estimated intensity of 8.
Aug. 31, 1886 - One of the nation’s most significant earthquakes
rattled a wide swath of the nation from Milwaukee, Chicago, Boston, south to
New Orleans and Florida. Known as the Great Charleston Earthquake, it killed up
to 60 and caused millions of dollars in damage. Some reports indicate a “tidal
wave” generated by this quake hit Florida, pushing water up the St. Johns
River. Severe aftershocks were felt in Jacksonville days and months following
the August 1886 event. South Carolina sits within the interior of the North
American plate, away from any plate boundary. Little is known about the cause
of such an intraplate earthquake. (During March 2022, a swarm of small quakes
had residents sitting on edge in South Carolina.)
Sources:
University of Florida news - Jan. 11, 2000
University of Florida Digital Collection, History of Florida Geology, Jan. 26,
2019
Tallahassee Democrat, April 5, 1964
Miami Herald, Jan. 24, 1994
South Carolina Emergency Management Division
U.S. Geological Survey
Copyright © 2022, 2026 All rights reserved. Jane Feehan
Tags: Florida earthquakes, Florida history
