Marston, Missouri – A light earthquake jolted parts of southeastern Missouri just after midnight Thursday, briefly shaking communities near the Missouri-Kentucky-Tennessee border.
According to the New Madrid Seismic Network, the 2.6 magnitude quake struck at 12:15 a.m. CT about 1 kilometer north-northwest of Marston, at a depth of 11.4 kilometers. The tremor was centered just north of the New Madrid Fault Zone, a historically active seismic area. At least three residents submitted “Did You Feel It?” reports through the U.S. Geological Survey.
No injuries or damage have been reported, but residents in nearby towns such as Portageville, Tiptonville, and even parts of Memphis, Tennessee, noted brief shaking. Earthquakes in this region, while typically low in magnitude, serve as a reminder of the area’s long-standing seismic risk.
The New Madrid Fault Zone is responsible for some of the most powerful earthquakes in U.S. history, including the 1811–1812 events that reshaped portions of the Mississippi River.
Emergency management officials recommend residents review earthquake safety plans, secure heavy furniture, and sign up for local alert systems.
While Thursday’s quake was minor, seismologists caution that aftershocks or additional small events could follow in the coming days.
