Fact check: Posts share unconfirmed report of earthquake in Michigan

Ana Faguy, USA TODAY
·2 min read

The claim: There was an earthquake north of Midland, Michigan, on April 11

An estimated 55 earthquakes are recorded every day across the world, according to the United States Geological Survey. An April 12 Facebook post suggests one of those earthquakes recently took place in Michigan.

The post, which accrued more than 200 shares in two days, includes a screenshot of a report of an "unconfirmed earthquake or seismic-like event" on April 11 near Midland, Michigan.

"I knew something odd happened!!" reads the caption on the post.

But there's no record of an earthquake in the state on April 11. Evidence suggests there was thunder in the area that day.

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USA TODAY reached out to the Facebook user who shared the claim for comment.

No recorded earthquake in Michigan

No earthquakes have been documented in Michigan in the past 30 days, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

But that didn't stop Midland residents from asking a local meteorologist if the shaking they heard April 11 was an earthquake.

"A couple of people have asked about a possible Earthquake this morning around the Saginaw/Bay City area," Chris Easlick, chief meteorologist at WNEM-TV, wrote April 11 on Facebook. "I have looked into it a bit and have not seen anything reported from the United States Geological Survey."

Easlick speculated that there "was some good thunder that shook houses this morning and nothing more." Susan Buchanan, director of public affairs at the National Weather Service, confirmed to USA TODAY that there was thunder reported April 11 at a weather station in Saginaw, Michigan – the closest weather station to Midland.

Midland is no stranger to earthquakes, however. In 2015, Midland and Saginaw counties reported shaking from an earthquake.

Our rating: Missing context

Based on our research, we rate MISSING CONTEXT the claim that there was an earthquake north of Midland on April 11. That claim is unproven.

There has not been an earthquake in Michigan in the past 30 days, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The National Weather Service told USA TODAY thunder was recorded near Midland on April 11.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fact check: No earthquake in Midland, Michigan, according to USGS