Home / Disasters and Accidents / Nebraska Rattles: Rare Quake Shakes Plains
Nebraska Rattles: Rare Quake Shakes Plains
1 Mar
Summary
- Magnitude 4.1 earthquake struck south-central Nebraska near Kansas border.
- Shaking was felt across a wide area from Omaha to Manhattan, Kansas.
- No significant damage or injuries were reported following the quake.
A magnitude 4.1 earthquake recently occurred in south-central Nebraska, near the Kansas border, prompting residents to report shaking that extended from Omaha to Manhattan, Kansas. The U.S. Geological Survey pinpointed the epicenter near Cowles, Nebraska, with seismic agencies providing slightly varying preliminary magnitude readings.
The quake happened around 12:59 p.m. local time at a shallow depth of 6.2 miles, allowing the seismic waves to be felt across a broad geographical area, including cities like Hastings and Grand Island. Residents across Nebraska and into Kansas described mild to noticeable shaking, with many expressing surprise due to the rarity of such events in the state.
Nebraska typically experiences only one or two minor earthquakes annually, with events of magnitude 4.0 or higher being especially infrequent. The last quake of comparable magnitude in the same county was in December 2023. A 4.1 magnitude quake is classified as light, usually resulting in minor effects like falling objects, but no injuries or property damage have been reported.
