5.2 Magnitude Earthquake Rattles Region; No Damage or Injuries Reported

April 18, 2008

April 18, 2008, Greencastle, Ind. - A magnitude 5.2 earthquake rumbled across the region at about 5:37 this morning. The U.S. Geologic Survey reports the quake was centered near West Salem, Illinois, or about 40 miles northwest of Evansville, Indiana. The rumblings were felt throughout the region, and reportedly shook tall buildings in downtown Indianapolis.

By 6:15 a.m., DePauw Public Safety had received only a few phone calls about the earthquake, but there are no reports of any damage or injuries here or in nearby locations. Television video footage shows damage to a building in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. The quake was initially reported to be 5.4 magnitude.

"We felt two episodes of shaking with higher intensities at our house, which may represent two different waves (seismic waves travel at different speeds)," reports M. Scott Wilkerson, associate professor of geosciences at DePauw and chair of the department. "There likely will be some small aftershocks, which probably will be of smaller magnitude (many/all of which we likely won't feel). This likely was a fault that is part of the Wabash Valley Fault Zone," he adds. His comments are cited in an Associated Press story.

By noon, five aftershocks had been recorded. Dr. Wilkerson reports that one, which rumbled at 11:14 this morning (Greencastle time), registered at 4.6. See today's activity here.

The initial quake was centered at 38.501°N (latitude), 87.898°W (longitude). More information can be found by clicking here.

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