When I think of earthquakes, I typically associate them with places like California.

However, Michigan has indeed experienced significant seismic activity throughout its history.

👇 Read More Below: World's Most Expensive Disasters 👇

Earthquakes in Michigan are more common than many people realize

What Causes An Earthquake?

Earthquakes happen when massive rock masses beneath the Earth's surface suddenly move and release energy.

The Earth's crust is made up of large rock plates that are constantly moving. These plates slide, bump, and scrape against each other, creating tension and pressure.

When the pressure becomes too great, the rocks suddenly shift along a crack called a fault, releasing energy in the form of shock waves.

These waves spread through the ground in all directions, causing the earth to shake

The Biggest Earthquakes to Hit Michigan

These are the five biggest earthquakes to hit Michigan.

Number 5 - 2015 Union City Earthquake - Magnitude 3.3
This earthquake occurred on June 30, 2015, and was notable for happening less than two months after another significant seismic event nearby

Number 4 - 1994 Lansing Earthquake - Magnitude 3.5
On September 2, 1994, this earthquake was felt as far as Jackson and Grand Rapids.

Number 3 - 1988 Wakefield Earthquake - Magnitude 3.6
This is believed to be the largest registered earthquake in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, occurring on January 14, 1988.

Number 2 - 2015 Galesburg Earthquake - Magnitude 4.2
Originating in Kalamazoo County, this is the strongest recorded earthquake in Michigan in the 21st century. On May 2, 2015, residents across Southern Michigan felt the ground shake, though no damage was reported.

Number 1 - 1947 Coldwater Earthquake - Magnitude 4.6
This is the most intense earthquake ever recorded with an epicenter in Michigan. On August 10, 1947, it caused building damage in Coldwater, Kalamazoo, and surrounding cities. People felt the ground shake as far away as Cadillac, Cleveland, and Chicago.

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LOOK: The most expensive weather and climate disasters in recent decades

Stacker ranked the most expensive climate disasters by the billions since 1980 by the total cost of all damages, adjusted for inflation, based on 2021 data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The list starts with Hurricane Sally, which caused $7.3 billion in damages in 2020, and ends with a devastating 2005 hurricane that caused $170 billion in damage and killed at least 1,833 people. Keep reading to discover the 50 of the most expensive climate disasters in recent decades in the U.S.

Gallery Credit: KATELYN LEBOFF

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