Shaking was felt across northwestern Washington early Monday morning as an earthquake struck the San Juan Islands region near the border with Canada. The 4.5-magnitude earthquake occurred at about 5:02 a.m. and was centered about six miles east of Orcas Island, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

A 4.5-magnitude earthquake struck at 5:02 a.m. Monday, March 3, in western Washington, the the U.S. Geological Survey reported. The 10-mile deep quake hit about 6.2 miles from Orcas, according to the USGS. More than 6,800 people from as far away as Portland, Oregon, and Issaquah reported feeling the tremor to the agency.

The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network shows the center of a 4.5 magnitude earthquake about 29 miles west of Bellingham, Wash., at 5:02 a.m. Monday, March 3, 2025. Pacific Northwest Seismic Network Courtesy to The Bellingham Herald

Learn how to prepare for disasters like earthquakes, volcanoes, and wildfires in Washington state with these safety tips and strategies. Topics such as power outages during extreme weather and cold-water safety highlight the need for adequate planning and equipment. Community systems also play a role in resilience.