Whites City, NM – A light earthquake measuring 2.5 magnitude was detected Wednesday afternoon approximately 57 kilometers south of Whites City, New Mexico, according to data from the Texas Seismological Network (TexNet).
According to the USGS event report, the quake occurred at 4:43 p.m. UTC (9:43 a.m. local time) at a shallow depth of 4.0 kilometers. The event’s epicenter was located near the Texas–New Mexico border, roughly southeast of Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
As of Wednesday evening, no damage or injury reports had been submitted through the “Did You Feel It?” survey. Shallow earthquakes of this magnitude are typically not strong enough to cause structural damage but may be felt by people near the epicenter.
The TexNet seismic monitoring system automatically recorded the event, classifying it as a minor quake. Nearby residents are encouraged to report any shaking they experienced to assist scientists with mapping regional seismic activity.
Minor quakes in this region are not uncommon, as the Permian Basin and surrounding areas experience periodic seismic events often linked to natural fault movement or underground activity.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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