Ackerly, TX – A magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck 34 kilometers west-southwest of Ackerly early Tuesday, shaking the Midland-Odessa region. The quake occurred at 12:49 a.m. UTC (7:49 p.m. CDT), at a depth of 8.2 kilometers with over 1700 people reporting the tremors.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake triggered responses from nearby communities, with some feeling significant tremors. The USGS “ShakeMap” indicated moderate shaking, but no immediate reports of severe damage or injuries were made. The region, situated along the Permian Basin, is not immune to seismic activity, though stronger quakes like this are rare.
Officials from the Texas Department of Emergency Management are monitoring the situation for potential aftershocks. The USGS noted there is a 45% chance of aftershocks measuring magnitude 3.0 or higher within the next week.
While earthquakes of this magnitude can cause minor structural damage, no major issues have been reported. Residents have been encouraged to report any property damage to local authorities.
