Oklahoma City, Okla. – A magnitude 5.0 earthquake centered in the Texas Panhandle sent shaking across portions of western Oklahoma early Thursday morning, with residents reporting the tremor from the Oklahoma-Texas border north into the Panhandles.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake struck at 5:21 a.m. CDT Thursday approximately 38 kilometers (24 miles) south-southeast of Spearman, Texas, at a depth of about 5.7 kilometers (3.5 miles). The event has been reviewed by seismologists and is listed with a green PAGER alert, indicating a low likelihood of widespread damage or casualties.
The quake’s epicenter was located in the northeastern Texas Panhandle, but shaking extended well beyond the immediate area. Residents in communities including Guymon, Oklahoma, Perryton and Spearman, Texas, and parts of the western Oklahoma Panhandle reported feeling the earthquake. Light shaking was also possible in portions of Amarillo, Borger, Pampa, and surrounding areas.
No significant damage or injuries were immediately reported following the earthquake. Because of its shallow depth, the quake was capable of producing noticeable shaking across a broad area despite occurring in a sparsely populated region.
The USGS estimates there is about a 4% chance of a magnitude 5 or greater aftershock within the next week, while the likelihood of smaller aftershocks is considerably higher. Residents who felt the earthquake are encouraged to submit reports through the USGS “Did You Feel It?” program to help scientists better map the extent and intensity of the shaking.
Emergency officials will continue monitoring the situation, and additional information will be released if any impacts or aftershocks occur.
