South Central Texas was rattled once again earlier today as a 3.2 magnitude earthquake hit Falls City, about 45 miles southeast of San Antonio, causing concerns among the locals who are still reeling from the weekend's seismic activities. This tremor is just the latest after a stronger 4.7 magnitude quake and a series of aftershocks shook the area early Saturday morning, marking a total of at least a dozen earthquakes to strike the region in a short span, as reported by FOX San Antonio.
The Saturday quake, which is considered rare for the state due to its strength, was felt through the Austin metro area and reached as far north as Williamson County, making its presence known alongside gusty winds that could've been mistaken for the cause of such shaking. With the epicenter nearly two miles south-southeast of Falls City, Texas, residents experienced what the U.S. Geological Survey described as generally "weak" to "light" shaking; the agency's "did you feel it" map, which collects user-generated reports, illuminated the widespread nature of the quake.
Data compiled by KXAN digital data reporter Christopher Adams reveals that earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 or stronger are an unusual phenomenon in Texas, with only 69 recorded incidents through February 7. Human activities such as fracking, mining, and building dams have been linked to induced seismicity, where human actions are deemed responsible for the occurrence of these quakes, particularly in the south-central United States, which has seen an uptick in such events.
In a personal account reflecting the surprise of many, Austin resident Heather Hampton described her experience to KXAN, saying, "We were sitting on the couch watching TV and we just kind of felt this movement and we both kind of looked at each other and paused the TV," she elaborated on the unexpected nature of the event, "I have never felt an earthquake of any magnitude so it was pretty interesting," Hampton's testimony echoes the sentiments of a population unaccustomed to earth's sudden jolts. The frequency of these recent quakes has put the region on alert, prompting further investigation into their causes and potential preventative measures.
