Significant earthquakes of 1872

November 18, 1872 Earthquake: Concord, New Hampshire, United States

November 18, 1872

An earthquake struck Concord, New Hampshire, United States on November 18, 1872.

Map

Where it struck, with the other significant earthquakes within 200 km. Circles are sized and colored by magnitude; select one for its page.

The earthquake

Date
November 18, 1872
Place
Concord, New Hampshire, United States
Tsunami
None recorded
Epicenter
43.200° N, 71.530° W

The toll

The record gives no deaths, injuries or damage for this earthquake.

What the record says

NCEI’s account, from the sources it cites.

2 pm local time. Coffman and Von Hake (1982) report: "1872. November 18. Concord, N.H. Lasted 10 seconds. This was distinctly felt and heard by people walking on the streets. Shock was felt at adjacent towns and in Laconia, 30 miles to the north." Lockridge et. al (2002) reports: "A moderate earthquake of MMI=V (ml 3.7) was recorded in SE Maine on November 18, 1872." This Maine information cannot be verified as of 2006.

It is possible that there is a question as to the date. There are tide gauge fluctuations reported on November 17, 1872 in North Haven and the Fox Islands, Maine. These are entered into the NOAA Tsunami Database. However, the two dates cannot be linked without further research.

Other significant earthquakes nearby

Within 200 km, the deadliest first.

More

Significant earthquakes of 1872The 1800sRecent earthquakes near hereThis day in weather history

Sources

Significant earthquakes from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Hazard Database, cited as NCEI/WDS, doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7. Public domain. Read 2026-09-24. NCEI earthquake 6177.