The US Geological Survey reported a minor earthquake along the Missouri-Arkansas-Tennessee line early Thursday morning.
The 2.5 magnitude earthquake struck at 4:44 a.m. UTC (11:44 p.m. Wednesday CDT), with an epicenter around 5 kilometers east-northeast of Steele, Missouri, and a depth of 9.7 kilometers. The New Madrid Seismic Network reviewed and confirmed the seismic occurrence.
According to initial accounts, at least two residents felt the tremor, but no damage or injuries were reported. The shaking was classified as level II on the community online intensity map, indicating that it was felt by a small number of people, most of whom were indoors and at rest.
Thursday’s quake occurred in the New Madrid Seismic Zone, one of the most seismically active areas east of the Rocky Mountains. This zone is historically notable because, during the winter of 1811-1812, three large earthquakes shook the region, one of which was judged to be among the strongest in US history. The quakes, which concentrated around present-day northeast Arkansas and southeast Missouri, were powerful enough to change the flow of the Mississippi River and were felt as far away as the East Coast.
Small earthquakes like Thursday’s are typical in the area, but experts say they serve as reminders of the region’s seismic risks. The New Madrid Seismic Zone produces hundreds of mild earthquakes every year on average, with the exception of major quakes with global impact.
Residents who experienced the shaking are asked to register a report with the USGS to aid in earthquake monitoring and preparedness.
