Minor earthquake reported in southern Illinois Monday, officials say

A minor earthquake was reported in southern Illinois Monday morning, according to officials from the U.S. Geological Survey.

According to the USGS, the earthquake was centered approximately six kilometers to the northeast of the community of West Salem, located in Edwards County.

The quake had a preliminary magnitude of 3.5 on the Richter scale, and was recorded at approximately 2:05 a.m.Monday at a depth of 19.1 kilometers, USGS officials said.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries with the earthquake.

While most Illinois residents are familiar with the New Madrid Seismic Zone, located in the central Mississippi River valley, the quake occurred closer to the Wabash Valley Zone, which according to Illinois officials is located across portions of the southeastern part of the state and southwestern Indiana.

While the New Madrid area is typically more active, registering more than 3,000 earthquakes since 1974 according to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency,the strongest earthquake during that time actually occurred in the Wabash Valley zone, a 5.4 quake occurred in Mount Carmel, Illinois on April 18, 2008.

The last earthquake with a minimum magnitude of 3.0 in the state of Illinois occurred in January of this year, four miles northwest of Ohlman. That quake registered at a 3.8 on the Richter scale.

from NBC Chicago https://ift.tt/jyVCUve