CARLSBAD, N.M. — A magnitude 3.4 earthquake struck about 30 kilometers northwest of Whites City Monday evening, briefly rattling parts of Eddy County and surrounding areas. The quake occurred around 2:12 p.m. local time at a shallow depth of about 6.7 kilometers, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
No damage or injuries have been reported as of late Monday, though the event was strong enough to be felt in portions of Carlsbad and near the Texas border. According to the USGS, the quake’s epicenter was located in a remote area northwest of Whites City, close to the northern edge of the Guadalupe Mountains region.
While moderate by local standards, the tremor adds to a series of small quakes occasionally recorded in southeastern New Mexico, a region with both natural and industrial seismic activity. Residents who felt shaking are encouraged to submit reports to the USGS to help refine intensity mapping.
Emergency officials advise residents to secure heavy objects and review basic earthquake safety practices, especially in areas where tremors have been recorded in recent years. No additional seismic activity has been detected nearby as of Monday evening.
