Shreveport, Louisiana – Residents near the Louisiana–Texas border felt shaking early Thursday morning after a magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck northwest of Shreveport, briefly rattling communities across parts of northwest Louisiana and northeast Texas.
The earthquake occurred around 5:30 a.m. Thursday, with the epicenter located just northwest of the small community of Edgefield, Louisiana, roughly south of Shreveport and near the Texas state line. The quake originated about 5 kilometers beneath the surface, making it shallow enough to be felt across a wider portion of the region.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, shaking may have been noticeable across communities including Shreveport, Greenwood, Blanchard, and Oil City, as well as parts of Marshall and Carthage in East Texas. Drivers traveling early Thursday along Interstate 49, Interstate 20, and U.S. Highway 71 may have briefly felt the ground tremble as the quake moved through the area.
Earthquakes of this magnitude typically cause little structural damage, but they can be strong enough to shake buildings, rattle windows, and move small household items. Emergency officials say residents who felt the shaking should check homes for minor damage such as cracks in walls or fallen objects.
Seismic activity is relatively uncommon across northwest Louisiana, though small earthquakes occasionally occur along ancient fault zones beneath the region. Because the quake occurred at a shallow depth, the shaking may have felt stronger than its magnitude suggests in areas close to the epicenter.
At this time, there are no immediate reports of injuries or major damage following the early morning quake. Scientists will continue monitoring the area for any possible aftershocks throughout the day.
Residents who experienced shaking are encouraged to report their observations to the U.S. Geological Survey to help scientists better understand the event.
