The federal government is going to take another look at the potential earthquake hazard at Hanford in Washington.
The seismic assessment will update the Department of Energy’s last comprehensive analysis in 1996.
The Tri-City Herald reported new understanding of seismic faults in the Pacific Northwest will inform the new assessment.
The largest earthquake recorded in the region was a magnitude-5.7 earthquake 72 miles from Hanford at Milton-Freewater in 1936. That’s according to data collected for the design of the Hanford vitrification plant.
Eastern Washington also was hit by an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 7.3 in 1872 near Lake Chelan.
Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
Florida Condo Manager, Contractor Charged in Alleged $186,000 Kickback Scheme 
Buffett Steps Down as Berkshire Chair, Ending Six-Decade Run 
US Tracking Cyber Threats Against Nearly 20 Ships Worldwide 
New York Law Confirms Insurer Liability for Bad Faith Includes Third-Party Claims From This Issue
