15 mild earthquakes with epicenters in Vermont occurred between January 1, 2016 and April 1, 2020. The New England Seismic Network reports a 1.9 event near Enosbury Falls on Feb. 12, 2020. A 2.1 magnitude earthquake occurred at 9:30 am (EST) on December 6, 2018. The epicenter was reported as 8 km WNW of White River Junction. A 2.3 magnitude earthquake occurred at 11:34 pm on December 20, 2017 (or in UTC time, December 21 at 4:34 am) and was felt by people in the White River Junction area. A small earthquake was also felt in western Vermont on June 30, 2017. For a list of regional earthquakes, visit the NESN web site.
Vermonters also experience earthquakes with epicenters in other states or in Canada. In April 2002, houses shuddered and swayed due to an earthquake in neighboring New York, close to Au Sable Forks. Over 8000 people in New York, Vermont, Quebec and New Hampshire reported feeling the earthquake. In 2011, the Mineral Springs, VA earthquake was felt throughout the northeast. Vermont also occassionally experiences cryoseisms or frost quakes, shaking due to shallow ground cracking associated with rapid freezing activity. A cryoseism in Shelburne in 2016 caused shaking and rumbling, enough to alarm residents.
Although earthquakes are not common in Vermont, people should be prepared to "DROP, COVER and HOLD ON" during a seismic event. For preparedness information, visit Ready.gov.