Whites City, NM – A series of small earthquakes shook a remote area of southeast New Mexico early Sunday, October 19, according to data from the Texas Seismological Network (TexNet) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The swarm, located about 55–57 kilometers south of Whites City, began shortly after midnight local time and included at least four recorded tremors ranging in magnitude from 2.5 to 3.4. The events occurred at shallow depths between 4 and 6 kilometers beneath the surface.
The strongest quake, a magnitude 3.4, struck at 4:40 a.m. MDT, followed closely by several smaller aftershocks through the morning. No damage or injuries have been reported, and no felt reports were submitted to the USGS as of midday Sunday.
Seismic activity in this region, near the New Mexico–Texas border southwest of Carlsbad, is not uncommon. Experts say such small-magnitude swarms often occur naturally but can also be associated with regional oil and gas operations.
Authorities will continue to monitor the area for additional activity, though no significant impacts are expected at this time.
