Earthquake recorded near Midland, Texas at magnitude 4.8, USGS says

Earthquake recorded near Midland, Texas at magnitude 4.8, USGS says

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.8 struck West Texas on Friday, February 28, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) [1]. The quake occurred approximately 16 miles southwest of Ackerly, a small town located about 60 miles northwest of Midland and 320 miles west of Dallas [1].

The earthquake, which happened at a depth of around 4.2 miles, was felt across a wide area, including Midland and parts of eastern New Mexico [2][3]. The National Weather Service office in San Angelo, about 100 miles from Ackerly, reported feeling the shaking [2].

Despite the magnitude, there are no initial reports of damage or injuries [2]. The USGS notes that a quake of this magnitude would be expected to cause few, if any, impacts [2].

Recent seismic activity in the region has included several smaller earthquakes ranging from magnitudes of 2.5 to 4.6 [1]. Areas such as Carlsbad, Alamogordo, and Roswell in New Mexico, and El Paso in Texas, have reported feeling these quakes [1][3].

While earthquakes are not uncommon in the region, the USGS reminds residents to stay informed and to take appropriate precautions, such as securing heavy items and having an earthquake preparedness plan in place [2].

References:
[1] USA TODAY. (2025, February 28). Earthquake recorded near Midland, Texas at magnitude 4.8, USGS says. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/02/28/texas-earthquake-midland-usgs/80860396007/
[2] FOX Weather. (2025, February 28). Magnitude 4.8 earthquake rattles West Texas, midway between Midland and Abilene. https://www.foxweather.com/earth-space/magnitude-4-8-earthquake-rattles-west-texas-midland
[3] KFOX14/CBS4. (2025, February 28). Magnitude 4.8 earthquake shakes Midland area, felt as far as Abilene and Carlsbad. https://kfoxtv.com/news/local/magnitude-48-earthquake-shakes-midland-area-felt-as-far-as-abilene-and-carlsbad