A powerful magnitude-5.3 earthquake hits a distant region in West Texas, causing three distinct tremors.
Earthquake Rockin' West Texas:
A 5.4 magnitude earthquake shook the West Texas region on Saturday night, located around 35 miles south of Whites City, New Mexico. This quake was part of a series of 46 mostly small earthquakes in the area since April, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The tremor occurred nearly 4 miles beneath the earth's surface and was followed by two smaller aftershocks of magnitude 2.2 and 2.9 in the same region. These events were reported by NBC affiliate KTSM in El Paso, approximately 100 miles west of the epicenter.
Luckily, no injuries were reported, and the sparse population in the area minimized the potential for ground failure, landslides, or liquefaction, as noted by the USGS.
The recent earthquake activity in West Texas and southeastern New Mexico is not a first—the region has experienced a surge in seismic activity since 2018, with several earthquakes above 4.5 magnitude. This increased seismicity is often linked to anthropogenic activity, such as the injection of fluids into the ground, which affects the stress on underground faults.
The USGS predicts a 9% chance of another earthquake of magnitude 5.0 or greater within the next year following the recent 5.4-magnitude event.
Stay informed and prepared: Follow your local news for updates on seismic activity in your area. If you feel an earthquake, drop, cover, and hold on, even if indoors or outdoors!
Sources:[1] USGS[2] USGS Earthquake Event Information[3] NBC Affiliate KTSM Report[4] USGS Aftershock Forecast[5] EMSC Report on French Oil Field Quake
In West Texas, the recent surge in seismic activity, including a 5.4-magnitude earthquake on Saturday, may potentially be linked to anthropogenic activities such as fluid injection. The USGS predicts a 9% chance of another earthquake of magnitude 5.0 or greater within the next year in the affected region. It's crucial to stay informed and prepared, following local news for updates on seismic activity, and to always remember the safety guidance: drop, cover, and hold on during an earthquake, regardless of location.
