A powerful earthquake shook West Texas on Saturday evening, with tremors strongly felt in El Paso and parts of New Mexico. The quake, which struck at 7:47 p.m. MT on May 3, 202, registered a magnitude between 5. and 5.4, according to the U.S. Geological Survey and other seismic agencies
The epicenter was located in Culberson County, roughly 125 miles east of El Paso and about 35 miles south of Whites City, New Mexico The quake occurred at a shallow depth of just under 4 miles, amplifying its impact across the region
Residents in El Paso, Ciudad Juárez, and Santa Teresa described intense shaking-some reported swaying light fixtures and minor home damage such as cracks in cement foundations Reports of the quake also came from as far as Midland, Lubbock, and Roswell Despite the widespread tremors, there were no immediate reports of serious injuries or major structural damage
Seismologists note this event is part of a recent swarm of earthquakes in the West Texas and southeastern New Mexico area, with more than 40 smaller quakes recorded since early April The USGS estimates a 65% chance of a strong aftershock within a week
While earthquakes of this strength are rare in Texas, the region has seen increased seismic activity in recent years, often linked to oil and gas operations. Officials continue to monitor for aftershocks as residents assess any potential damage
