A powerful magnitude 5.0 earthquake jolted the Texas Panhandle early Thursday morning, sending tremors across parts of Texas and Oklahoma.
The earthquake struck at approximately 5:21 a.m. Central Time, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Its epicenter was about 23 miles south-southeast of Spearman, Texas, and northwest of Miami.
The quake originated just 3.5 miles below the surface, making it shallow enough to produce noticeable shaking across a wide area.
Residents reported feeling the ground move in Amarillo and Lubbock, Texas, as well as Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma, according to FOX Weather and other regional reports.
At least 248 people had submitted reports to the USGS by 7 a.m., according to the Plainview Herald.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or significant damage as authorities continued assessing the affected area Thursday morning.
The earthquake was an unusually powerful event for the region. USGS records indicate it was the strongest earthquake recorded in the Texas Panhandle since tracking began in 1900—and only the fourth quake of magnitude 4.0 or greater documented there during that period.
Previous major earthquakes in the Panhandle included a magnitude 4.5 quake near Perryton in February 1972 and another magnitude 4.5 event near Dalhart in March 1948.
No aftershocks had been reported as of Thursday morning, ABC News reported. However, additional shaking remains possible following an earthquake of this strength.
The USGS initially classified the event with a green alert, indicating a low likelihood of widespread casualties or major economic damage.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
