Magnitude 2.9 Earthquake Hits Near Mount Rainier, Latest In Recent Series

EATONVILLE, WA - The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network measured a 2.9 earthquake in a mountainous area west of Mount Rainier Thursday afternoon. The magnitude measurement is preliminary, but Thursday's quake would be the strongest in a series of temblors that have happened in this same area over the last week.

There were three relatively large earthquakes in this same area late Sunday night, according to the PNSN. The three quakes were all above a magnitude 2, with the two strongest measuring 2.4 and 2.3. Two other quakes - a 2.1 and a 2.4 - hit in the same area last Saturday night and early Sunday morning.

The quakes are happening under a mountain that is located just west of the Mount Rainier National Park boundary and south of the Puyallup River. The closest body of water to the quakes is called Niesson Creek.

Thursday's quake is actually the ninth in the area including several quakes that have been below a magnitude 1.

Image via Google Maps