A 5.0-magnitude earthquake struck western Texas late Friday night, sending tremors across the region.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake occurred at 10:23 p.m. Mountain Time, with its epicenter located approximately 30 miles northwest of Toyah, Texas, and about 50 miles from Carlsbad, New Mexico.
Despite the remote location, over 1,300 individuals reported feeling the tremors to the USGS, with reports coming from as far as El Paso and Midland in Texas, and Roswell in southeastern New Mexico.
The earthquake’s depth was recorded at 6.6 kilometers, indicating relatively shallow seismic activity.
Shortly after the initial quake, three smaller aftershocks were detected, the strongest being a 3.8-magnitude tremor.
As of now, there have been no reports of damage or injuries resulting from the seismic events.
This event adds to a series of notable seismic activities in Texas over recent years.
In 2024, the state experienced several significant earthquakes, including a 5.1-magnitude quake in Martin County on September 17.
Historically, Texas has recorded earthquakes of similar magnitudes, such as the 5.8-magnitude Valentine earthquake in 1931 and the 5.7-magnitude Marathon earthquake in 1995.
While Texas is not typically associated with frequent seismic activity, the western part of the state has seen an increase in such events.
Researchers continue to study the causes, with some attributing the uptick to natural tectonic movements, while others investigate potential links to human activities, such as wastewater injection from oil and gas operations.
Residents are reminded to stay informed about seismic activity in their area and to follow safety guidelines provided by local authorities and the USGS.
