Westbrook, Texas – Residents across parts of West Texas may have felt brief shaking Thursday evening after two small earthquakes were recorded south of Westbrook within less than a minute of each other, according to federal seismic data.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the first earthquake registered a magnitude 2.9 and struck about 23 kilometers south of Westbrook at a depth of roughly 7.5 kilometers. A second, slightly stronger magnitude 3.1 event followed shortly after, originating from nearly the same location but deeper underground at about 9.1 kilometers.
The epicenters were located in a rural stretch of Mitchell County, south of Interstate 20 and east of the Midland area. While earthquakes of this size are generally not strong enough to cause damage, they can be felt indoors, especially by people at rest or in quiet settings. No injuries or structural damage were immediately reported.
Small earthquakes are not uncommon in parts of West Texas, where seismic activity has increased in recent years. Scientists continue to monitor whether closely spaced quakes like these represent isolated events or part of a broader sequence.
Officials encourage residents who felt shaking to submit reports to the USGS, which helps improve understanding of how earthquakes are experienced across the region. Additional seismic updates may follow if more activity is detected.
