Did You Feel It? Rare 4.9 Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Ark-La-Tex
Did you feel the earthquake this morning? A pretty strong one was felt across parts of East Texas and the Ark-La-Tex region.
4.9 Magnitude Earthquake Reported Near Shreveport
According to the United States Geological Survey, a 4.9 magnitude earthquake struck near Shreveport, Louisiana early Thursday morning.
The quake happened around 5:30 AM on March 5 and had a depth of approximately 3.1 miles. Because the quake was relatively shallow, the shaking was able to travel across a wider area. The epicenter was reported to be about seven miles from Coushatta and is now being listed as the second-largest earthquake recorded in Louisiana’s history.
Tremor Felt Across East Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana
Authorities say the earthquake could have been felt as far as 90 miles away. That means residents in northwest Louisiana, East Texas, and southern Arkansas may have experienced the shaking.
Communities near Shreveport, Texarkana, Monroe, and Tyler were among the areas where people reported feeling the tremor.
So far, there have been no reports of injuries or damage, but it likely woke a few people up across the region.
Earthquakes Are Rare in This Part of the Region
Earthquakes are not very common in this part of the Ark-La-Tex. However, there have been a few smaller quakes in recent years, including one near Uncertain, Texas.
Arkansas has also experienced several earthquakes over the years connected to the New Madrid Fault Line.
READ MORE: Arkansas Earthquake: A Reminder About the New Madrid Fault
How to Report If You Felt the Quake
If you felt the shaking, you can help scientists by reporting your experience through the “Did You Feel It?” program from the United States Geological Survey.
The reporting system helps researchers understand how widely an earthquake is felt and how strong the shaking may have been in different areas.