WILSON, Kan. – A light earthquake measuring magnitude 3.1 struck five kilometers north of Wilson on Thursday evening, lightly shaking parts of central Kansas. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the tremor at 5:16 p.m. CDT at a depth of about 6.2 kilometers.
According to the USGS, the quake was centered near 38.874°N, 98.470°W, in rural Ellsworth County, roughly 60 miles northwest of Salina. Early reports indicated weak shaking, and no damage or injuries have been reported as of Thursday night. Two residents submitted “Did You Feel It?” responses, consistent with intensity level III, which typically includes light indoor movement but minimal risk.
Earthquakes of this size are uncommon but not unheard of in central Kansas, where occasional seismic activity has been linked to regional fault lines and underground injection wells. Emergency officials said no alerts were issued and normal activity can continue.
Residents who felt the quake are encouraged to file reports with the USGS to help refine intensity maps and improve future response models.
No aftershocks have been reported, but monitoring will continue overnight.
