Hill City, Kansas – A 3.5 magnitude earthquake struck just south-southeast of Hill City early Saturday morning, shaking parts of northern Kansas and prompting residents near the Nebraska border to report light tremors.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake occurred at 5:26 a.m. local time (10:26 UTC) approximately 6 kilometers SSE of Hill City at a shallow depth of 7.3 kilometers. While there have been no immediate reports of damage, light shaking may have been felt as far as Norton, Colby, and southern Nebraska towns like McCook.
The epicenter sits near U.S. Route 283 and Highway 24, affecting rural areas between Hays and the Nebraska border. Though considered minor, earthquakes in this region are relatively uncommon, and today’s tremor may serve as a reminder of the central U.S.’s underlying seismic potential.
No injuries or infrastructure impacts have been reported as of Saturday morning. Residents are encouraged to report any shaking to the USGS “Did You Feel It?” portal to help refine intensity maps.
This event marks one of the strongest regional quakes in recent months. While aftershocks are unlikely, regional seismic monitoring will remain active through the weekend.
