The invention discloses a method for quickly identifying a seismic event based on an initial vibration signal. A detected initial 1.5-second vibration signal is analyzed in time domain and frequency domain; a variety of judgment criteria composed of vibration amplitude and main frequency components are established; and whether the event causing vibration is a seismic event or a non-seismic event (such as blasting, collapse, transportation, construction, mechanical work or electromagnetic interference) is quickly identified according to the judgment criteria. Through the method, whether an event is a seismic event can be accurately judged according to a 1.5-second vibration signal. The algorithm is simple and easy to use, and has good timeliness, accuracy and practicability. The method caneffectively prevent a seismic event from being missed or misreported, and is suitable for seismic monitoring and seismic warning.