Residents across central Illinois and the greater St. Louis area were startled awake early Tuesday morning (20) after a small earthquake shook the region.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), a 3.8-magnitude earthquake occurred at approximately 1:27 a.m. Tuesday near Ohlman, Illinois. The quake originated about 5.5 miles below the surface and struck roughly 90 miles northeast of downtown St. Louis.
While no injuries or property damage were reported, the shaking was strong enough to be felt across a wide area. Dozens of viewers reported feeling the quake throughout the Metro East and even across the Mississippi River on the Missouri side. Communities where residents noticed the shaking included St. Louis, St. Charles, Hazelwood, Creve Coeur, and House Springs.
The USGS noted that earthquakes of this size are generally not strong enough to cause damage. Typically, structural damage becomes more likely when earthquakes reach magnitudes of 4.0 or higher, depending on the depth and local ground conditions.
Although earthquakes are less common in Illinois than in some other parts of the country, they are not unheard of. The state occasionally experiences minor seismic activity, often linked to regional fault systems in the Midwest.
USGS officials are encouraging anyone who felt the earthquake to participate in the agency’s “Did You Feel It?” program. The online reporting system allows residents to share details about what they experienced, such as shaking intensity and location. These firsthand reports help scientists better understand how earthquakes are felt across different communities, especially in areas between seismic monitoring stations.
For many residents, the quake was brief but memorable, serving as a reminder that even the Midwest is not entirely immune to seismic activity.
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