4.5 magnitude earthquake shakes San Antonio area

A 4.5 magnitude earthquake rattled San Antonio Wednesday night, according to the United Geological Survey.

The quake is the third-largest ever recorded in South Texas, USGS officials said, and it was felt as far north as downtown, according to social media users.

The earthquake struck around 9:30 p.m. in Falls City, located in the northwest corner of Karnes County. The county is in the heart of the Eagle Ford Shale, an area with significant fracking and injection-well activity.

The quake’s depth was 2.3 miles, according to the USGS.

Second, smaller temblor — this one hitting 2.6 in magnitude — also was recorded Thursday shortly after midnight. According to the USGS, that quake originated in Wilson County, 11 miles southeast of Stockdale.

No damage has been reported from either quake.

Subscribe to SA Current newsletters.

Follow us: Apple News | Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter| Or sign up for our RSS Feed

Related Stories

Gulf of America, ending birthright citizenship: How Trump’s first day will affect South Texas

Trump will also sign Executive Orders on Monday designating drug cartels as terrorist organizations and ending restrictions on oil and gas drilling.

Bad Takes: It’s time to stop making self-serving excuses for not moving away from fossil fuels

Increasing evidence shows fracking results in the release of harmful chemicals and an uptick in earthquakes.

Oil and gas companies spill millions of gallons of wastewater in Texas

An exclusive Inside Climate News analysis found that companies have spilled nearly 150 million gallons of toxic, highly saline wastewater in Texas over the last decade.

This article appears in Jan 22 – Feb 4, 2025.