You probably didn’t feel it. Honestly, most people in the Pine Tree State don't realize that the ground beneath their feet is a lot more restless than it looks. If you’re asking what time was the earthquake in maine today, you’re likely looking for a rumble that happened while you were sipping your morning coffee or perhaps just finishing up a late-night shift.
But here is the thing: Maine doesn't usually do the "Hollywood" style earthquakes. There are no massive cracks opening up in the middle of Route 1. Instead, we get these tiny, geological "burps" that barely register on a Richter scale but fascinate the folks over at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The Precise Timing of the Rumbling
According to the latest data from the USGS and the Maine Geological Survey, the most recent activity occurred early this morning. If you were awake at 6:08 a.m., you might have been one of the very few to notice a slight vibration. This particular event was centered near Centerville in Washington County.
It wasn't a big one.
We are talking about a 1.3 magnitude tremor. To put that in perspective, a heavy logging truck driving past your house probably creates more of a physical shake than a 1.3 magnitude quake. It happened at a depth of roughly 3.6 miles. Because it was so deep and so small, it didn't even trigger a "Did You Feel It?" report from the local residents.
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Why Maine Keeps Shaking Lately
You might think Maine is a seismically "dead" zone. It's not.
Actually, the state gets hit by dozens of these small quakes every single year. We’ve already had a handful in 2026 alone. Just a week ago, on January 10th, a slightly larger 1.8 magnitude earthquake struck near Ellsworth at 5:10 a.m. Why so many? Well, it’s basically due to something called "post-glacial rebound." Basically, during the last Ice Age, massive glaciers—miles thick—sat on top of Maine. That weight literally squished the earth's crust down. Now that the ice is long gone, the land is very slowly "springing" back up. That adjustment causes stress in the bedrock, leading to these frequent, tiny snaps.
What Time Was The Earthquake in Maine Today: Recent History
If you feel like you've been hearing about earthquakes more often, you aren't crazy. While today's event was a minor blip, Maine has a history of surprising people.
- The 2025 York Harbor Quake: Almost exactly a year ago, a 3.8 magnitude earthquake hit off the coast. It happened at 10:22 a.m. and was felt all the way down in Boston.
- The Ellsworth Event: On January 10, 2026, the ground shook at 5:12 a.m. with a 1.8 magnitude.
- The Centerville Strike: Today's 1.3 magnitude hit at 6:08 a.m.
Most of these happen in the early morning hours. Is there a scientific reason for that? Not really. It’s just a coincidence of timing, though some people swear they notice them more in the morning because the house is quiet and the wind hasn't picked up yet.
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Should You Be Worried?
Probably not.
Expert geologists like John Ebel from the Weston Observatory have noted that while New England can technically have a "big one," the odds are incredibly low. A magnitude 3.0 or 4.0 happens maybe once every few years. A magnitude 5.0? That’s a once-in-a-century kind of event for us.
Most Maine homes are built on solid granite. That's great for stability, but it also means that when a quake does happen, the shockwaves travel much further than they would in the soft soil of California. That is why a tiny 2.0 in Maine can sometimes be felt twenty miles away, whereas in LA, people might not even look up from their phones.
What to Do if You Feel the Next One
If the ground starts moving again, don't run outside. That's a common mistake. Most injuries in earthquakes happen from falling debris or glass right outside a building.
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Basically, you want to Drop, Cover, and Hold On.
- Get under a sturdy table.
- Protect your head.
- Wait for the shaking to stop—it usually only lasts a few seconds in Maine anyway.
If you suspect you felt the earthquake in Maine today, the best thing you can do is head over to the USGS "Did You Feel It?" website. Your data helps scientists map out exactly how the bedrock in your specific town reacts to stress. It might feel like you're just a "nerd" reporting a tiny vibration, but that data is actually used to update building codes and emergency response plans.
For now, you can go back to your day. The crust has settled, the sensors are quiet, and unless you live right on top of the epicenter in Washington County, your coffee mug is perfectly safe on the counter.
Next Steps for Mainers:
Check the official USGS Real-time Earthquake Map to see if any aftershocks have been registered in your zip code. If you noticed cracks in your foundation or chimney after the 6:08 a.m. window, document them with photos immediately for insurance purposes, though damage is highly unlikely at this magnitude.