Strong Earthquake Strikes West Texas and New Mexico

A powerful earthquake with a 5.4 magnitude rattled a rural region spanning West Texas and southeastern New Mexico on Saturday night.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake struck at 7:47 p.m. local time, with its epicenter centered in West Texas, approximately 35 miles south of Whites City, New Mexico. Initially recorded as a 5.3, it was later revised to a 5.4 magnitude.

Whites City, a quaint resort community nestled near the renowned Carlsbad Caverns National Park, lies just north of the Texas state line and about 95 miles south of the famed city of Roswell, New Mexico.

The earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 3.9 miles. Jennifer Armendariz, who serves as an emergency manager for Eddy County, New Mexico, encompassing Whites City, informed CBS News via email that while the quake was “felt by many residents,” there were “no reports to dispatch or her office about any damages as of now.”

By 9:45 p.m., nearly 1,500 people had shared their experiences with the USGS’ “Felt Report” feature. Following this significant quake, the area experienced two smaller aftershocks measuring 2.9 in magnitude.

Earlier, on the morning of April 14, a 5.2-magnitude temblor shook San Diego County, making its presence felt throughout Southern California and northern Mexico. Experts attributed the event to a branch of the notorious San Andreas Fault system.