A 3.5 magnitude earthquake was recorded early this morning with an epicenter near Calhoun, about 3.7 miles northeast of West Salem. The depth of the quake was measured at approximately 12 miles.
Residents across the region reported feeling the earthquake, with many taking to social media describing a loud boom, sudden jolt, or several seconds of shaking that awakened them during the night. Reports also indicate people feeling the quake in Centralia, Evansville and Knox County Indiana.
Southern Illinois is influenced by both the New Madrid Seismic Zone and the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone, areas known for periodic earthquake activity. While most quakes in the region are relatively minor, they are often felt over a wide area.
No injuries or significant damage have been reported.
The USGS encourages anyone who felt the earthquake to submit a “Did You Feel It?” report to help researchers better understand the event and its effects across the region.