A 5.1 magnitude earthquake that shook parts of West Texas and apparently centered near Ackerly Monday night was also felt in other parts of the state, including Dallas, Austin and San Antonio, according to federal authorities and social media users who went online to share their experiences.
The seismic activity occurred around 7:49 p.m., according to the “X” account of the Midland bureau office of the National Weather Service.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or major damage from the quake.
According to the United States Geological Survey, the depth of this earthquake was 8.2 kilometers with rattling reported as far south and east as Central Texas.
“We felt it in Austin definitely,” said David Goldiner in a comment shared on X.
What’s causing the earthquakes?
Geophysicists suggest that the recent earthquakes are likely a result of oil and gas operations.
West Texas has a long history of seismic activity induced by these operations, dating back to at least the 1970s, according to Robert Skoumal, a research geophysicist at the USGS.
How to stay safe?
The USGS advises individuals indoors to move into a hallway or against an interior wall while staying clear of items that could fall and break.
For outside individuals, its recommended to stay away from buildings, power lines, and chimneys.
