On Saturday morning, January 18, a small earthquake was detected near the Bootheel region, as confirmed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The tremor struck at 7:20 a.m. and occurred about 3.73 miles north-northeast of Ridgely, Tennessee.
The earthquake had a relatively low magnitude of 2.4, which is considered a minor seismic event. With a depth of approximately 3.11 miles, it was situated relatively shallow in the Earth’s crust. Earthquakes of this magnitude are typically not strong enough to cause damage, and minor tremors are often felt only by people who are close to the epicenter.
The USGS reported that there have been no immediate reports of residents feeling the earthquake, which suggests that it did not significantly disturb the area. Tremors of this magnitude are often too faint to be felt by most people, and even those in the surrounding regions might not have noticed the event.
Seismic activity in the region surrounding the Bootheel, which spans parts of southeast Missouri, northeastern Arkansas, and western Tennessee, has been known to occur sporadically, but major earthquakes are rare. The area is part of the New Madrid Seismic Zone, which is historically known for producing large earthquakes, most notably in the early 19th century. However, smaller earthquakes, like the one recorded on January 18, are more common in the region.
Local authorities have not issued any warnings or alerts following the quake, and there have been no reports of damage or injuries. The event serves as a reminder of the ongoing seismic activity in the area, which, despite its quiet history in recent years, remains an important factor to monitor for future preparedness.
