Earthquake Risk in Vermont

All Vermont counties ranked by FEMA National Risk Index earthquake score

Earthquake risk — ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults — is rated for 14 of 14 Vermont counties in FEMA's National Risk Index. Chittenden County carries the state's highest earthquake score at 76.7, with $2M in expected annual earthquake losses.

No Vermont county reaches the High band for earthquake, and expected annual losses from earthquake total roughly $6M statewide. The full ranking below links to each county's complete 18-hazard risk profile.

County Rankings — Earthquake

#CountyEarthquake ScoreRatingAnn. Freq.Ann. Loss
1 Chittenden County
76.7
Low 0.00 / yr $2M
2 Franklin County
60.1
Low 0.00 / yr $631K
3 Rutland County
58.2
Very Low 0.00 / yr $472K
4 Addison County
55.8
Very Low 0.00 / yr $474K
5 Windsor County
53.9
Very Low 0.00 / yr $380K
6 Washington County
52.4
Very Low 0.00 / yr $404K
7 Windham County
49.7
Very Low 0.00 / yr $288K
8 Orleans County
46.7
Very Low 0.00 / yr $236K
9 Bennington County
45.5
Very Low 0.00 / yr $233K
10 Caledonia County
44.9
Very Low 0.00 / yr $224K
11 Lamoille County
40.5
Very Low 0.00 / yr $244K
12 Orange County
37.8
Very Low 0.00 / yr $169K
13 Grand Isle County
30.6
Very Low 0.00 / yr $161K
14 Essex County
22.5
Very Low 0.00 / yr $44K

14 Vermont counties with measurable earthquake risk. See the national earthquake ranking or all Vermont counties by overall risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Vermont county has the highest earthquake risk?

Chittenden County has the highest FEMA earthquake risk score in Vermont at 76.7 (Low), with $2M in expected annual losses and about 0.00 events per year.

How many Vermont counties face significant earthquake risk?

14 Vermont counties record measurable earthquake risk in FEMA's National Risk Index; 0 of them are rated High or Very High.

Other Hazards in Vermont