Light Earthquake Shakes West Texas; No Damage Reported

ACKERLY, Texas — A magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck West Texas on Friday, according to the United States Geological Survey. The quake occurred at 1:33 p.m. Central time about 16 miles southwest of Ackerly and approximately 40 miles northwest of Midland.

The epicenter was located at a depth of 4.2 miles. Initial assessments reported no damage or injuries linked to the tremor, and the USGS indicated that earthquakes of this magnitude typically result in minimal impact. Residents of the area, as well as individuals in eastern New Mexico, reported feeling the shaking.

The National Weather Service office in San Angelo, Texas, about 100 miles from Ackerly, confirmed that people there also experienced the tremors. Officials have stressed that aftershocks can follow the initial quake, although they are generally small and do not cause significant harm.

The USGS initially reported the quake’s magnitude as 4.7 but later updated it to 4.8 as more data became available. Seismologists may continue to analyze the event, potentially revising both the magnitude and the shake-severity map as new information is gathered.

Historically, earthquakes can vary in their intensity and effects. For example, San Francisco experienced a devastating magnitude 7.9 earthquake in 1906 that led to widespread destruction. In contrast, the Texas quake appears to have caused little to no disruption.

This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information is gathered.