Residents of South Texas experienced a startling wake-up call as a series of earthquakes rattled the region near Falls City, about 40 miles southeast of San Antonio, on Saturday morning. The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed two notable tremors, measuring at magnitudes of 4.4 and 4.7, the latter of which struck around 12:32 a.m. and was felt over 120 miles away in areas including Austin and Round Rock, as reported by KVUE.
This seismic activity comes on the heels of an uptick in tremors within the state. In February alone, Texas has recorded over 20 earthquakes of varying strengths, yet, until now, none had surpassed a 3.9 magnitude according to The Austin American Statesman. Interestingly, earlier this week the University of Texas at Austin hosted an international earthquake science event, where researchers convened to discuss such phenomena.
Despite the widespread notice of the quakes, no damage has been reported in the Central Texas region. The occurrence has sparked conversation among residents on social media, with many seeking reassurance that they weren't alone in feeling the ground shake beneath them.
The increase in earthquakes within Texas has raised concerns among citizens and experts alike. In comparison to California, Texas witnessed a higher number of magnitude 2.5-plus earthquakes last year, with figures escalating due to oil and gas extraction activities in the region. A 2022 University of Texas at Austin report disclosed that an overwhelming 68% of quakes larger than magnitude 1.5 in the state were "highly associated" with these industrial operations, The Austin American Statesman noted.
Historically, Texas has not been a stranger to seismic activity, with the state's last significant tremor, a magnitude 5.2 earthquake, occurring in November 2023 near Mentone. As Austin rests on the Balcones Fault line, it has been questioned whether the capital city is at risk, but experts maintain that the metro area is at a low risk for earthquakes despite the recent activity surrounding San Antonio.
