Steele, MO – A light earthquake was recorded near the Missouri-Arkansas-Tennessee border early Thursday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The 2.5 magnitude quake struck at 4:44 a.m. UTC (11:44 p.m. Wednesday CDT), with an epicenter located about 5 kilometers east-northeast of Steele, Missouri, at a depth of 9.7 kilometers. The event was reviewed and confirmed by the New Madrid Seismic Network.
According to early reports, at least two residents felt the tremor, though no damage or injuries have been reported. The community internet intensity map rated the shaking at level II, meaning it was felt by a small number of people, typically indoors and at rest.
Thursday’s quake occurred within the New Madrid Seismic Zone, one of the most seismically active regions east of the Rocky Mountains. This zone is historically significant: during the winter of 1811–1812, a series of three massive earthquakes struck the region, estimated to have been among the strongest in U.S. history. The quakes, centered near present-day northeast Arkansas and southeast Missouri, were powerful enough to alter the course of the Mississippi River and were felt as far away as the East Coast.
While small earthquakes like Thursday’s are common in the area, experts note that they serve as reminders of the region’s seismic risks. On average, the New Madrid Seismic Zone produces hundreds of minor tremors each year, with occasional larger quakes capable of widespread impact.
Residents who felt the shaking are encouraged to file a report with the USGS to assist with earthquake monitoring and preparedness.
