Magnitude 3.6 Earthquake Strikes West Texas

MIDLAND, TX — A magnitude 3.6 earthquake struck rural West Texas early Thursday about 20 miles southwest of Garden City, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The earthquake occurred at about 3:30 a.m. at a depth of 5.5 kilometers, or 3.4 miles. 

The epicenter was 31 miles from Midland. The USGS initially reported the magnitude as 4.1. The Texas Seismological Network later revised it to 3.6. Only one felt report had been submitted to the USGS as of Thursday morning. Residents who felt the shaking can report it on the agency’s website. 

Two smaller earthquakes followed in the same area: a magnitude 3.0 at 4:36 a.m. and a magnitude 2.7 at 4:38 a.m., both about 19-20 miles southwest of Garden City. A magnitude 2.9 earthquake occurred at 9:39 a.m. about 23 miles east-southeast of Balmorhea. No damage or injuries were immediately reported. 

The cluster of quakes follows a magnitude 5.0 earthquake in the Texas Panhandle on July 23. A magnitude 2.5 earthquake struck West Texas in May, and a magnitude 3.8 earthquake was centered about 5 miles northwest of Lenorah in Martin County in March.