02/18/2026
Helpful information regarding earthquakes here in TN!
Think Tennessee can't be affected by an earthquake? Think again.
During Earthquake Awareness Month, we're reminding Tennesseans that the Volunteer State has two seismic zones — the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ) in the west and the East Tennessee Seismic Zone in the east. While most quakes that occur in Tennessee are small, scientists estimate that there is a 25-40% probability of a 6.0 or greater magnitude earthquake occurring in the central United States within a 50-year window. While the primary focus remains on the NMSZ, it is not the only area of concern in the central U.S. Earthquakes are also occurring in the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone (which includes southeastern Illinois and southwestern Indiana) as well as in Oklahoma, Kansas, Ohio, and Texas. All told, about 200 earthquakes occur in the central U.S. every year, many of which go unnoticed.
Consumers should remember that traditional homeowners and business insurance policies do not cover earthquake damage. Earthquake insurance is available to purchase in Tennessee from licensed insurance producers.
