Texas Shaken: Earthquakes Continue to Rumble South of San Antonio
Falls City, Texas – The ground just won’t stay still! On Friday, December 13, another small earthquake made its presence known in the Lone Star State, this time in a little town just south of San Antonio. Clocking in at a Magnitude 2.5, this quake occurred around 4 a.m., shaking up the sleepy residents of Falls City and Poth, about 44 miles from the bustling heart of San Antonio. Interestingly, only six people reported feeling the tremor, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) – a reliable source that tracks these seismic events.
Those who did feel the quake described it as “quite noticeable by persons indoors,” and noted that it felt like a large truck passing by. Picture this: you’re curled up in bed, perhaps dreaming of a roadside BBQ, when suddenly the earth gives a little rock and roll. Surprisingly, no major damage was reported, but it certainly made for a curious morning!
Shake It Up: The Trend Continues
Just less than a month prior, in November, the region experienced not one but two larger earthquakes, one rated at Magnitude 3.8 on November 14 and another that followed just four days later, peaking at a Magnitude 3.9. This isn’t just some minor blip on the radar – these tremors extended their reach all the way to Pleasanton, with residents as far as 40 miles from the epicenter noting the jolts. The pattern reveals an interesting trend of increasing seismic activity in the area, raising eyebrows among local scientists.
Justin Rubinstein, a research geophysicist with the USGS, pointed out a growing concern in South Texas: “The earthquake rate in the broader Eagle Ford Shale has risen significantly since 2018,” he mentioned. What does that mean for Texans? Simply put: get ready for more shakes as the frequency and intensity have ramped up!
A Broader Perspective
In February alone, the area witnessed 12 earthquakes, with two surpassing Magnitude 4. These quakes stretched nearly 50 miles from Falls City to San Antonio, catching the attention of residents who may never have experienced something like this before. The seismic scene is changing, and many link this uptick in activity to the oil and gas industry in the region.
In fact, this February, a Magnitude 4.7 earthquake made headlines as it edged closer to being marked as the strongest human-induced quake in the United States. Local scientists estimate it might take up to six months to officially determine the cause of these tremors.
Wider Shockwaves Felt
But it’s not all about the San Antonio vicinity. Just a couple of days ago, on Wednesday morning around 10:30 a.m., a Magnitude 3.2 earthquake jolted the region again, reminding many that nobody is immune to these earth-shaking episodes. As communities grapple with this ongoing trend of seismic activity, many locals are adjusting to the fact that their beloved Texas is experiencing something quite new.
So what’s the takeaway from all this earthquake chatter? While the situation may be alarming for some, residents are steadily becoming accustomed to the occasional rumble beneath their feet. As we move forward, folks in and around San Antonio and Falls City may want to keep their ear to the ground – quite literally. After all, who knows when the next shake and shimmy might happen?
