Marston, Missouri – A small earthquake shook parts of southeastern Missouri early Thursday, briefly rattling nerves along the Mississippi River near the Missouri-Tennessee border.
According to the New Madrid Seismic Network, a magnitude 2.5 earthquake struck at 6:35 a.m. CT about 2 kilometers northeast of Marston, Missouri. The tremor originated at a depth of 6.3 kilometers, near the heart of the historically active New Madrid Seismic Zone.
While no damage or injuries were reported, residents in the Bootheel region—including nearby towns like Portageville, Hayti, and Caruthersville—may have felt minor shaking. The quake’s proximity to Memphis, just 80 miles to the south, also places it near a high-population corridor.
Local emergency officials remind residents that even small earthquakes are a signal to stay prepared. “Have an emergency plan, secure heavy furniture, and know how to Drop, Cover, and Hold On,” said a spokesperson for the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency.
Thursday’s quake is the latest reminder of the seismic risks tied to the New Madrid Fault, which produced major earthquakes in the early 1800s. More minor tremors could follow in the coming weeks, so residents are encouraged to report any shaking through the USGS “Did You Feel It?” system.
