West Texans report feeling tremors after 5.1-magnitude earthquake hits Martin County
Nearly two months after the last notable earthquake, many in Lubbock and West Texas felt tremors from a 5.1-magnitude earthquake in Martin County Monday night — the seventh-strongest earthquake in Texas history.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake rocked the Permian Basin at 7:49 p.m. Monday. The earthquake struck about 21 miles west-southwest of Ackerly, or 28 miles north of Midland, at a depth of around 3 miles, leading citizens to report tremors from all over West Texas.
Most of the reports emanated from the larger communities in the region, including Lubbock, Midland, Odessa, Big Spring and San Angelo, according to the USGS.
As of Monday night, no damage has been reported, with the USGS forecasting a low probability of fatalities or economic losses from the quake.
Previous reporting: 4.9 magnitude earthquake, 8th strongest in state history, shakes West Texas late Monday
West Texas is not unfamiliar with moderate earthquakes, although most produce little to no confirmed damage. A 4.9-magnitude event was reported July 23 in Scurry County, and tremors were felt throughout the following days.
The July 23 earthquake was also — at the time — the eighth-strongest earthquake in the state's history. Monday's earthquake supersedes that to become the seventh-strongest quake recorded in Texas, surpassing a 5.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Mentone in 2022.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Earthquake confirmed near Midland, Odessa felt in Lubbock, West Texas
