A 5.0-magnitude earthquake struck the Texas panhandle early Thursday, marking the strongest quake to hit the area since 1900. The temblor occurred at around 5:21 a.m. at a depth of 3.5 miles, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). Its epicenter was about 27.8 miles southeast of Spearman and approximately 68 miles from Amarillo.
No Injuries Reported
No injuries or deaths were reported. The USGS stated: “Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are unreinforced brick masonry and reinforced masonry construction.”
Residents Describe Shaking
Residents across the region reported feeling the shaking. One Facebook user wrote: “Awakened by thunder-like rumble and shaking in Pampa around 5:20am.” Another said: “Woke us up in Mobeetie. Lasted about 20 seconds or so. A picture fell off a shelf also.” Several people in White Deer also felt the quake; one said it “shook the bed,” while another noted: “It was wild! We live in White Deer. I was standing, and it threw me way off balance. Talk about a strange feeling.” Tremors were also felt in western Oklahoma and southwestern Kansas, according to local media outlets.
