Minor 3.7 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Near Black Eagle, Montana
Areazine synthesizes this USGS earthquake report directly from USGS's official public data feed. See our methodology for full source attribution and refresh cadence.
A magnitude 3.7 earthquake occurred approximately 7 kilometers north-northwest of Black Eagle, Montana, on Saturday evening, with dozens of residents reporting light shaking.
What this USGS earthquake report tells you, and what most readers miss
This notice was issued by USGS on April 6, 2026 and geographically references Montana. Its severity classification of "low" signals how the issuing agency weighs the risk of harm if no action is taken - "critical" and "high" tier alerts typically carry direct consumer actions, while "medium" and "low" tend toward informational guidance or monitoring advisories. The category it belongs to - Earthquakes - determines the monitoring protocol behind it, which shapes what follow-up action (checking for structural damage, watching for aftershocks, reviewing local building codes) is relevant and which agency holds authority over the assessment.
Most readers skim a notice like this, check whether they are personally affected, and move on. The more useful lens is to verify its scope, source, and timestamp, then compare related notices without assuming that one record proves a broader trend.
Areazine pairs this record with the original agency URL so you can check the primary source before acting. Its related labels are earthquake, seismic, usgs, Montana.
What Happened
A minor earthquake with a magnitude of 3.7 ml struck near Black Eagle, Montana, on February 15, 2026, at 01:36:12 UTC (February 14, 6:36 PM local time). The seismic event occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers.
Location Details
The epicenter was positioned at coordinates 47.5805°N and 111.3313°W, approximately 7 kilometers north-northwest of Black Eagle. The earthquake's depth of 10 kilometers is classified as shallow; shallow earthquakes (less than 20km) are typically felt more strongly at the surface than deeper seismic events.
Impact Assessment
As of the latest report, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has received 50 felt reports from individuals in the region. The event reached a maximum perceived intensity of 4.497 on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale. There is no tsunami advisory associated with this inland event, and no specific alert level color was issued.
What You Should Know
Earthquakes in the M 2.5-3.9 range are classified as minor. While these events are often felt by people nearby, they rarely cause structural damage. Residents should remain aware of the possibility of minor aftershocks. During any seismic activity, safety experts recommend that you drop, cover, and hold on until the shaking stops.
Source
Data provided by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.
Original source: USGS Official Notice ↗
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