Magnitude 4.3 earthquake strikes Wallowa County, Oregon

A magnitude 4.3 earthquake struck Wallowa County, Oregon, late on Nov. 9, 2026, making it the strongest earthquake in Northeastern Oregon in more than 30 years, according to the East Oregonian.

Earthquake details

The quake was recorded at 11:43 p.m. southeast of Joseph, according to the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network. The epicenter was near Carrol Creek, about 12 miles southeast of Joseph, and the quake occurred about 7.5 miles underground. The initial report stated 1.5 miles.

Doug Gibbons, seismic lab coordinator for the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, said the temblor was the strongest in Northeastern Oregon since a magnitude 4.0 quake on Oct. 27, 1994, about 7 miles southeast of Halfway.

The epicenter was along the Wallowa Fault, which geologists have mapped for at least 31 miles along the base of the Wallowas. Gibbons said the fault extends farther, although the section where the quake occurred has not been mapped.

Shaking and reports

The U.S. Geological Survey said residents in parts of Wallowa, Baker and Union counties, including near Baker City and Halfway, could have felt "weak" or "light" shaking. The agency had 98 reports from people who felt the quake as of 10 a.m. on Nov. 10, including from Enterprise, Joseph, Imnaha, North Powder, La Grande, Halfway and Union.

According to citizen reports, the intensity ranged from level 3, which is "weak," to level 4, which is "light." The USGS projects a "low likelihood" for damage.

As of Nov. 12, no aftershocks had been recorded in the area, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The agency listed a 20% chance for an aftershock of at least magnitude 3.0 within a week of the Nov. 9 quake, and a 3% chance of an aftershock of at least magnitude 4.0.

Resident experiences

Sheila Orr, who lives about halfway between Enterprise and Joseph, said she was asleep when the quake started and that an antique dresser was shaking. She said there was no damage and she went back to sleep.

Kristen Ruckdashel, who lives in Enterprise, said her house shook for a few seconds and that a few bottles in her bathroom were knocked over, but there was no damage. She said it was her first earthquake and called it "amazing."

Emily Glock, who lives between Baker City and Durkee, said the nightstand beside her bed shook, rattling the items on it. She said she looked at the clock and remembered it showed 11:43 p.m.

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Sources

• eastoregonian.com: NE Oregon has strongest earthquake in more than 30 years | East Oregonian
• foxweather.com: Magnitude 4.3 earthquake shakes Joseph, Oregon, this morning | Fox Weather

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.