Cowles, Nebraska – A magnitude 4.1 earthquake struck 5 kilometers east of Cowles on Sunday, prompting regional shaking reports.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the quake occurred at 12:59 p.m. CST on Sunday, March 1, 2026. The epicenter was located approximately 3.1 miles east of Cowles at a depth of 3.0 kilometers, or about 1.9 miles below the surface.
USGS data shows the earthquake reached a maximum Modified Mercalli Intensity of III, indicating weak shaking. At that level, tremors may be felt indoors by some people but typically do not cause structural damage.
The shallow depth of 3.0 kilometers likely contributed to localized shaking near the epicenter. Shallow earthquakes are often felt more strongly at the surface than deeper events of similar magnitude.
No injuries or damage were immediately reported as of Sunday afternoon. The USGS continues to review seismic data as part of its standard post-event analysis.
Nebraska experiences occasional minor earthquakes, though events above magnitude 4.0 are relatively uncommon in the region. The quake occurred within 250 kilometers of several smaller seismic events recorded in recent weeks, according to USGS data.
Residents who felt shaking are encouraged to submit reports through the USGS “Did You Feel It?” system to assist scientists in refining intensity maps and impact assessments.
While a magnitude 4.1 earthquake is unlikely to cause significant disruption, the event serves as a reminder that measurable seismic activity does occur in south-central Nebraska.
This may be of particular interest to students and young professionals studying earth sciences or emergency management in the region.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input.
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