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The devastating earthquake in Haiti may have left some Montanans wondering if an earthquake could happen here in the Treasure State, and the answer is yes.

A recent swarm of small earthquake near Yellowstone National Park serves as a reminder that Montana is one of the most seismically-active states; fortunately, the vast majority of earthquakes are minor, primarily of interest only to geologists and researches.

But occasionally, Montana earthquakes can be larger, and deadly. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, in 1935 there were a series of earthquakes between Yellowstone and Helena that killed four people and caused more than $4 million worth of damage.

The 1959 "Hebgen Lake" earthquake killed 28 people, and caused more than $11 million worth of damage.

According to a computer simulation, if those same fault lines caused an earthquake of the same magnitude today, damages would likely approach $500 million.

The question to ask is, should we have insurance for an event like this?

""I would own earthquake insurance because it could be devastating, especially if it's high in the Richter scale, or even if it's small on the Richter scale" commented Pam Bowman, the President of Nordic American Insurance Agency. "Also, I would have it if I owned a brick home more than a frame home, because more damage will come to a brick home, because a frame home will absorb and flow with it. I would definitely get the cost of it, I would do my best to fit it into my budget, and pick out a deductible accordingly so I didn't lose my entire home."

Most basic homeowner policies does not carry earthquake insurance, so if you are interested contact your insurance agent.

Click here to visit the US Geological Survey website about Montana earthquakes.