A lot of Panhandle residents got a rude awakening early Thursday morning when a magnitude 5.0 earthquake shook homes across the region.
The earthquake struck at about 5:21 a.m. with an epicenter roughly 24 miles northwest of Miami and about 24 miles south-southeast of Spearman. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake was only about 3.5 miles below the surface, allowing it to be felt across a large portion of the southern Plains.
People from Amarillo to Lubbock, and as far away as Oklahoma City and Tulsa, reported feeling the shaking. Hundreds of residents also submitted reports to the USGS, saying they were jolted awake as their homes rattled.
Some described hearing a loud rumble before the shaking started. Others said pictures shifted on the walls, items fell from shelves, and the shaking lasted around 20 seconds.
Despite the widespread reports, there were no immediate reports of injuries or significant damage Thursday morning.
A Record-Setting Quake
Earthquakes aren't unheard of in the Texas Panhandle, but one this strong is.
According to the USGS earthquake catalog, Thursday's magnitude 5.0 quake is the strongest earthquake recorded in the Panhandle since at least 1900. It is also just the fourth earthquake measuring magnitude 4.0 or greater documented in the region during that time.
The previous largest earthquakes on record include:
Magnitude 4.9 near Panhandle in Carson County in 1925.
Magnitude 4.5 north of Dalhart in 1948.
Magnitude 4.5 northeast of Perryton in 1974.
Some historical estimates from the National Weather Service suggest the 1925 and 1948 quakes may actually have been stronger than originally recorded. Even so, the current USGS catalog lists Thursday's earthquake as the strongest instrumentally recorded in the Texas Panhandle.
Why Here?
The Texas Panhandle sits far from the major tectonic plate boundaries where most earthquakes happen, which makes a magnitude 5.0 event unusual.
Scientists say earthquakes in this part of the state can happen when stress builds along ancient faults buried underground.
Because it happened so close to the surface, the shaking spread much farther than many people would expect.
More Shaking Could Follow
The USGS says aftershocks are possible after an earthquake this size, although none had been reported as of Thursday morning.
The agency also says the overall earthquake risk in the area remains low. Most buildings in the region are expected to withstand this kind of shaking, although older brick and masonry buildings could be more vulnerable.
Scientists will continue reviewing seismic data over the next several days, and the preliminary magnitude could still be adjusted as more information becomes available.
