A magnitude 4.0 earthquake shook remote sections of Flathead and Lincoln counties on Tuesday afternoon, according to the United States Geological Survey.
The epicenter of the earthquake was 3.5 miles beneath the surface of the earth southwest of McGregor Lake, 33 miles west of Kalispell. Considering the size and depth of the quake, it’s unlikely there was any damage, although area residents may have felt some light shaking.
The USGS says there are millions of earthquakes every year but most go undetected. There are about 13,000 magnitude 4.0 earthquakes every year around the world.
The largest earthquake to ever hit Montana in recorded history was near Hebgen Lake, near Yellowstone National Park, in 1959. The 7.3 magnitude quake resulted in 28 fatalities and $11 million in damage.