OLD MONROE, Mo. — A minor earthquake shook the ground near Old Monroe, Missouri, early Thursday morning. The 2.6 magnitude quake struck at 3:30 a.m., just under a mile east of the small town located north of St. Louis. The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the earthquake’s epicenter was about 4.3 miles below the surface.
This seismic event is typical for the Illinois Basin – Ozark Dome region, which experiences frequent but small earthquakes. While not as seismically active as the nearby New Madrid zone, the area does see occasional ground-shaking activity.
Experts say earthquakes of this size rarely cause damage and are often mistaken for passing trucks or distant thunder. Local authorities have not reported any injuries or property damage resulting from the quake.
The USGS reminds residents that while major earthquakes are uncommon in this part of Missouri, they’re not impossible. One of the largest recent quakes in the area was a magnitude 5.4 in southern Illinois in 1968.
