Residents in West Texas and in nearby states were awakened to a series of earthquakes late Monday evening. Per the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the tremors were registered near the town of Hermleigh, Texas, about 54 miles northwest of Abilene at 10:38 p.m., 10:46 p.m., and 11:56 p.m. The first of the earthquakes was the strongest, clocking in at magnitude of 4.9 on the Richter scale, according to the Geological Survey. An aftershock with a 4.4 magnitude occurred just minutes later, followed by a magnitude 3.1 shock. The quakes occurred about 4.8 miles beneath the Earth’s surface, which is fairly shallow.
So far, there have been no reports of damage. A magnitude 4.9 earthquake is classified as a light earthquake on the Richter scale, meaning there is noticeable shaking of indoor objects and rattling noises and can be felt by most people in the affected area. Some objects may fall off shelves or be knocked over and even create minor cracks in walls and ceilings. Generally, these kinds of earthquakes generate minimal damage. Residents around north and West Texas reported feeling the quakes. USGS data shows it was also felt as far south as Austin, which is located nearly 200 miles southeast as well as in other states such as southern Oklahoma and eastern New Mexico.
