Early risers in Colorado might have briefly wondered if they had too much coffee this morning, as a 2.9 magnitude earthquake gently rattled parts of the state. Recorded at 6:08 a.m. near St. Vrain in Dacono, the tremor was documented by the United States Geological Survey. According to KDVR, Pinpoint Weather Meteorologist Greg Perez likened the quake's impact to "someone touching the back of your chair," suggesting a subtle disturbance rather than a disruptive event.
Despite its mild nature, the quake managed to touch lives north of Denver, with Thornton residents and those from Erie, Brighton, and Broomfield reporting some weak shaking. This information comes from a 9NEWS report, which also noted that 142 responses had been logged on the USGS website by 7:20 a.m. by individuals attesting they felt the earthquake. While a quake of this size is unlikely to cause damage, it is a reminder that the earth beneath our feet is ever-shifting.
For those curious or concerned, the possibility of registering their personal experience with the tremor is available on the USGS website. Despite its relatively low earthquake activity when compared to states like California and Alaska, Colorado has five identified faults. Among these, three have the potential to produce significantly more powerful earthquakes, ones that could reach magnitudes of 7.0 or greater, according to Denver7. The Colorado Geological Survey holds records of over 700 quakes with magnitudes of at least 2.5 since the year 1867.
