Whites City, NM – A light earthquake rattled a remote stretch of southeastern New Mexico late Tuesday night, with a magnitude 3.2 tremor recorded roughly 57 kilometers south of Whites City. The quake struck at 10:34 p.m. local time, shallow at just over 6 kilometers deep, but strong enough to be detected across parts of Eddy County.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the event was reviewed and confirmed at magnitude 3.2, with the epicenter positioned near the New Mexico–Texas border in a sparsely populated desert region. No damage reports or felt responses had been submitted as of late Tuesday, though USGS encourages residents who noticed shaking to file a report to help refine intensity data.
The area surrounding Whites City is no stranger to minor seismic activity, with small quakes occasionally occurring in the broader Permian Basin region on both sides of the state line. Tuesday night’s tremor was centered south of U.S. Highway 62/180, well away from major communities, but residents in Carlsbad, Whites City, and nearby ranching areas may have experienced a brief jolt or low rumble.
Emergency officials reported no impacts to roads, utilities, or local infrastructure. While quakes of this size rarely cause damage, residents are advised to secure loose items and remain aware of updated seismic information should additional small aftershocks occur.
USGS continues to monitor the region, and more data may be released if activity increases.
