...
By Shane Croucher
Senior Editor
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
A magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck south of Shreveport in Louisiana on Thursday morning, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said, the second-largest recorded tremor in the state's history.
The quake had a depth of 3.1 miles and struck 6.2 miles west of Edgefield, Louisiana, in the Red River Parish area. It occurred at around 5:30 a.m. local time. The USGS said there is a green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses, meaning a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
Read More on News
Shreveport, which has a population of more than 197,000 people, lies around 36.3 miles north of the epicenter. Natchitoches, around 30 miles south of the epicenter, has a population of over 18,000.
Louisiana's largest recorded earthquake struck a little over 20 years ago. The magnitude 5.3 temblor hit offshore near Grand Isle on February 10, 2006.
The state sits within the Stable Continental Region of North America, where earthquakes are relatively infrequent. Its seismicity consists mainly of intraplate earthquakes associated with the reactivation of deep, ancient faults.
...
California Earthquake Near San Ramon in March
A magnitude 3.3 earthquake struck near San Ramon, California, late on March 1, according to the USGS.
The quake hit at around 11:21 p.m. local time, with the epicenter roughly 2.5 miles southeast of the city and at a shallow depth of about 5 miles.
The tremor was followed by a cluster of smaller aftershocks, part of what seismologists describe as an earthquake swarm.
San Ramon lies along the Calaveras Fault, one of several active fault systems in Northern California, where frequent minor earthquakes are common.
Residents in nearby communities reported light shaking, though no injuries or damage were reported.
The USGS noted that California’s position atop multiple fault lines makes regular seismic activity expected, particularly in the Bay Area.
Utah-Wyoming Earthquake Felt in Salt Lake City in January
A magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck near the Utah-Wyoming border on January 22, shaking parts of northern Utah and southern Wyoming, including Salt Lake City, the USGS recorded.
The epicenter was located about 25 miles south of Evanston, Wyoming, at a depth of roughly 8 miles. Nearly 1,600 people reported feeling the quake, though the USGS issued a green alert, indicating a low risk of injuries or major damage.
The region sits within the Intermountain Seismic Belt, an area known for periodic moderate earthquakes. Seismologists noted that while earthquakes of this size are not unusual in the region, they can be widely felt due to local geology.
The USGS highlighted that the strongest historical quake in the area was a magnitude 6.6 event in 1934. No serious damage or casualties were reported following the tremor.
Illinois Earthquake Felt in St. Louis in January
A magnitude 3.5 earthquake struck southern Illinois in the early hours of January 20, per the USGS, with shaking felt across parts of Missouri, including in St. Louis.
The epicenter was located about 2.5 miles east of Ohlman, Illinois, at a depth of around 5.5 miles. More than 1,000 people reported feeling the quake, which was also felt in Springfield, Decatur, Effingham, and other nearby communities.
The USGS said the quake occurred within the Illinois Basin-Ozark Dome region, which borders the more seismically active New Madrid seismic zone.
While earthquakes in the central U.S. are less frequent than those in the West, they are often felt over a wider area. No injuries or significant damage were reported.
Officials noted that moderate earthquakes occur irregularly in the region, with damaging events possible every few decades.
Update 3/5/2026 10:45 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
In a polarized era, the center is dismissed as bland. At Newsweek, ours is different: The Courageous Center—it's not "both sides," it's sharp, challenging and alive with ideas. We follow facts, not factions. If that sounds like the kind of journalism you want to see thrive, we need you.
When you become a Newsweek Member, you support a mission to keep the center strong and vibrant. Members enjoy: Ad-free browsing, exclusive content and editor conversations. Help keep the center courageous. Join today.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines