Newkirk, NM — A minor earthquake shook parts of eastern New Mexico Monday morning, centered near the rural community of Newkirk.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the magnitude 3.0 earthquake occurred at 11:17 a.m. MDT on April 1. The epicenter was located 16 kilometers south-southeast of Newkirk at a shallow depth of 5.0 kilometers.
No damage or injuries have been reported at this time. The area is sparsely populated, and no felt reports had been submitted to the USGS as of Tuesday morning. Local emergency officials did not issue any alerts, and no disruptions to utilities or services were noted in Quay County.
Minor earthquakes are not uncommon in the region, though most events are rarely felt due to low magnitudes and remote locations. New Mexico sits near the edge of the Rio Grande Rift, a zone of crustal extension that occasionally produces small seismic activity.
Residents are encouraged to report any shaking they may have felt via the USGS “Did You Feel It?” website to assist scientists with data collection. Though no immediate aftershocks have been recorded, experts recommend staying aware of basic earthquake safety, especially in structurally older buildings.
