A rare magnitude 5.0 earthquake rattled parts of the Texas Panhandle early last Thursday morning. It’s the strongest quake to hit that region in at least 100 years, according to online data compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The epicenter was located about 24 miles southeast of Spearman, and the effects were reportedly felt throughout the rural region and as far 250 miles away in southern Oklahoma and New Mexico, according to the USGS. No damage has been reported.
The National Weather Service in Amarillo, said the earthquake originated from northwest Roberts County, nearly 50 miles south of Spearman.
The USGS expects economic losses to be minimal since no structural damage or injuries have been reported so far.
Earthquakes in Texas are not uncommon. However, their intensity has increased over the past six years. According to data from the USGS, 85% of the earthquakes registering 2.5 or greater in magnitude have taken place since 2020.
In the last five years, Texas has experienced seven earthquakes that measured at 5.0 magnitude or higher. According to Earthquake Track, the earthquake in Spearman is tied for the sixth biggest in Texas history.
In 2025, two of the state’s largest earthquakes in history struck in West Texas. Earthquakes in that region have been attributed to an increase in hydraulic fracking in the area. It is unclear what caused the earthquake in the Panhandle.