On Saturday night, a magnitude 5.3 earthquake hit West Texas, part of a series of tremors near the Texas-New Mexico border, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The quake occurred at 7:47 p.m., approximately 35 miles south of Whites City, New Mexico, and about halfway between Midland and El Paso, Texas. It struck nearly 4 miles underground, affecting a sparsely populated region, which minimized the impact on residents.
The area has experienced a swarm of 46 earthquakes since early April, primarily smaller in magnitude. Following the 5.3 quake, there is a 65% likelihood of a significant aftershock occurring within the next week. Along with the 5.3 quake, two additional earthquakes were reported that night, measuring 3.4 and 2.9 in magnitude.
The USGS noted that residents in multiple Texas cities, including Arlington, Midland, and Lubbock, reported feeling the tremors. However, no injuries or major damage were recorded. The survey also indicated that the risk of ground failure, landslides, or liquefaction — a phenomenon where soil behaves like a liquid due to seismic activity — was low in this incident.
Overall, while the earthquake was significant, its effects were mitigated by the region’s low population density and the depth of the quake. Local news outlet KTSM, based in El Paso, highlighted that the 5.3 temblor was the strongest in the area that night, drawing attention to the unusual seismic activity in this part of Texas.
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