PLAINVILLE, Kan. – A mild earthquake shook portions of north-central Kansas early Thursday, briefly startling residents northwest of Plainville but causing no reported damage or injuries.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the magnitude 2.8 quake struck at 7:50 p.m. CST Wednesday about 7 kilometers northwest of Plainville, at a depth of roughly 10.7 kilometers. The tremor registered a shaking intensity of III on the Modified Mercalli Scale, meaning it was noticeable indoors by a few residents but too weak to cause damage.
Emergency officials in Rooks County said they received no reports of structural issues or service interruptions following the event. The shaking was also lightly felt in parts of Stockton and Hays, though many in the region slept through the brief movement.
According to the USGS National Earthquake Information Center, small quakes like this are not uncommon in western and central Kansas, often linked to minor fault zones or deep geologic stress. Residents are reminded to secure heavy furniture and review safety steps — Drop, Cover, and Hold On — even during light seismic activity.
Authorities say no follow-up tremors were detected within the first several hours after the quake. Local emergency managers encouraged residents to report what they felt to the USGS “Did You Feel It?” program to improve mapping accuracy.
