Latest news with #EarthquakeTrack
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Colorado just had an earthquake. Is that normal? Here's what to know
A 2.9 magnitude earthquake near Dacono provided a jarring wakeup for some Coloradans, with the shaking reported some 20 miles away into the Denver area. The U.S. Geological Survey said the temblor had an epicenter about 3 miles southwest of Dacono. The quake was not the largest in Colorado in 2025 — that honor goes to a 3.2 quake that rumbled about 21 miles west of Delta on April 3. But the Dacono quake likely stood out because it was relatively close to a large population center. Reports of people feeling the jolts stretched into Thornton and over to Erie. While minor, the event was a reminder along the Front Range that Colorado can have earthquakes, and good preparation is important in the event of more significant shaking. Somewhat. There have been 20 reported in the past year on Earthquake Track, a website that logs seismic activity around the world. They're just not that large and not usually close to cities. The largest in the 365 days prior to the Dacono quake was a 3.4 earthquake near Salida on Oct. 26, 2024, according to the USGS. More: What cities are most at risk of a strong earthquake? Here's what USGS map shows Colorado has thousands of faults, but only five have been studied enough and determined to be active enough to end up on the USGS's National Seismic Hazard Map. They are the Cheraw Fault in southeastern Colorado, Northern Sangre de Cristo Fault in south central Colorado, the Williams Fork Mountains Fault in southwestern Colorado, the Sawatch Fault in central Colorado and the Gore Range Frontal Fault, the closest major fault near the Denver area. The Colorado Geological Survey says it is likely that more faults have similar potential but have not been studied closely enough. In all, it says, it is impossible currently to predict the time or location of the next big Colorado earthquake. It has never had one recorded, based on seismologists' definition of a major earthquake having a 7.0 or greater magnitude. The strongest earthquake ever reported in Colorado was on Nov. 7, 1882, estimated as a 6.6 magnitude temblor. The epicenter has been difficult to pin down based on historical data, although estimates put it roughly 60 miles away from Denver in the northern Front Range. The Denver area accidentally became one of the most seismically active areas in the country in the 1960s. An attempt to dispose of chemicals from the Rocky Mountain National Arsenal by injecting them deep into the ground is believed to have triggered several years of seismic instability that caused property damage throughout the area. More than 1,500 earthquakes emanated along the Derby Fault from 1961 to 1967, including multiple quakes of 5.0 or greater magnitude. The largest quake recorded since then had a 5.3 magnitude on Aug. 22, 2011, with an epicenter about 15 miles southwest of Salida. Shaking is usually very brief, meaning you don't have a lot of time to react when an earthquake hits. Colorado Emergency Management has several recommendations of what to do when an earthquake starts: When you feel and earthquake, drop and cover under a desk or sturdy table and hold on to it. If it moves, move with it. Stay away from windows and objects like bookcases or display shelves that could fall. If you are in a crowded public place, do not rush for an exit. If you are in a theater or stadium, stay in your seat, protect your head with your arms or get under the seat. Do not leave until the shaking stops. If you are outdoors, move to a clear area away from trees, signs, buildings or downed electrical wires and poles. If you are on a sidewalk near a tall building, get into a building's doorway or lobby to protect yourself from falling bricks, glass and other debris If you are driving, slowly pull over to the side of the road and stop. Avoid overpasses, power lines and other hazards. Stay inside the vehicle until the shaking stops. If you are in a wheelchair, stay in it. Move to safe cover if possible, lock your wheels and protect your head with your arms. There are several steps you can take to prepare for an earthquake. Anchor appliances and tall, heavy furniture that might fall. Put latches on cabinet doors to keep contents from spilling out. Establish an 'out-of-area' contact family members should call if you are separated, particularly if local phone or internet service is not working well. Keep emergency supplies in one place in the home. The Great Colorado ShakeOut, billed as the state's largest earthquake drill, is scheduled for Oct. 16. It is a coordinated day for individuals, businesses, public spaces and more to practice what to do in the event of an earthquake. Interested parties can sign up at the event's website. Nate Trela covers trending news in Colorado and Utah for the USA TODAY Network. This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado earthquake: How common are they and when was the last one?
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Large earthquake strikes West Texas, among strongest ever in state
A 5.0 magnitude earthquake was recorded in West Texas late Friday evening, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, and could be felt by residents more than 150 miles away in El Paso. The earthquake struck near the border of Culberson and Reeves counties at 11:23 p.m. CST with an epicenter about 33 miles northwest of Toyah, Texas. Three smaller aftershocks also occurred within minutes of the first quake. There have been no immediate reported deaths or injuries associated with the quakes. And economic losses are expected to be minimal. According to the geological survey, shaking in neighboring cities ranged from 'weak' to 'light' with about 950,000 being exposed to the quake. The earthquake was also felt by Texans as far west as El Paso and in some cities in eastern New Mexico. About 20 minutes after the initial earthquake, the National Weather Service El Paso posted to X, asking residents if they had felt the earthquake and a subsequent aftershock. Friday's earthquake is tied for the sixth strongest in Texas history, according to the website Earthquake Track. Texas has also experienced two magnitude 5.1 earthquakes in the past six months, both tying for the fifth strongest in state history. The number and strength of earthquakes in West Texas has grown in recent years. In November 2023, a 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck near the borders of Reeves and Culberson counties, tied for fourth strongest in Texas history. Scientists have attributed higher earthquake activity in the Permian Basin in West Texas to an increase in hydraulic fracturing — also known as fracking — in the area, which is the most productive oil and gas region in the state. When water is injected into the ground for fracking, fluid pressures increase within faults, scientists say, which can lead to more seismic activity in oilfields. Since 2000, a dramatic increase in seismic activity in the Permian Basin has likely been triggered by increased wastewater disposal due to fracking, a 2021 study by USGS and University of Texas scientists found. There are more than 20 deep injection wells in the Culberson County and Reeves County area, according to data from the Railroad Commission of Texas, which regulates the state's oil and gas industry. That figure is slightly lower than in 2022. The decrease comes as the commission has made efforts to reduce seismic activity in West Texas. After the largest Texas earthquake in three decades struck near the border of Reeves and Culberson counties in November that year, commission staff also expanded the area where water injections could be restricted and asked companies to reduce how much water they inject underground in the area.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Did you feel it? 4.5 magnitude earthquake near San Antonio felt across Central Texas
San Antonians experienced an earthquake Wednesday evening, according to the United States Geological Survey. Here's what we know: The magnitude of the earthquake was recorded at 4.5 and occurred at 9:26 p.m. near Falls City, USGS says. Based on data from USGS, it appears that the Falls City earthquake is the primary shock of a series that started with four smaller tremors, ranging in magnitude from 1.6 to 2.9, during the first few weeks of January. Texas is not usually known for frequent or severe earthquakes compared to states like California. However, Texas does experience some seismic activity. According to USGS, there have been a series of small to moderate earthquakes in recent years, particularly in the northern part of the state around the Dallas-Fort Worth area and in West Texas. Some of these quakes have been linked to increased oil and gas activities, including hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and wastewater injection. Earthquake Track has ranked the strongest earthquakes in Texas history. The oldest, which hit 7 miles southwest of Valentine, is also the strongest earthquake recorded in the state. Ranking Magnitude Location Date 1 6.5 Valentine Aug. 16, 1931 2 5.7 Alpine April 13, 1995 3 5.4 Mentone Nov. 16, 2022 3 5.4 Midland Dec. 16, 2022 4 5.2 Mentone Nov. 8, 2023 5 5.1 Fairview, OK Feb. 13, 2016 5 5.1 Lamesa Sept. 16, 2024 5 5.1 Snyder July 26, 2024 6 5.0 Mentone March 26, 2020 7 4.9 Loving, NM July 21, 2022 7 4.9 Rotan July 22, 2024 Table by Alexis Simmerman/American Stateman | Data by Earthquake Track -USA TODAY Network trending reporter Alexis Simmerman contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: USGS: 4.5 magnitude earthquake hits near San Antonio Wednesday
