Illinois Earthquake Measures 5.4

An earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 5.4 struck southern Illinois early Friday, and was felt throughout the Chicago and Indiana area.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake struck with an epicenter about six miles from downstate West Salem, at 4:36:57 a.m.

Police scanner traffic also indicated that it was felt throughout the city and across the northern Illinois.

Other reports shows that the earthquake was felt as far north as Kokomo, Rochester and Warsaw in Indiana, as well as in Evansville and Indianapolis. It shook tall buildings in downtown Indianapolis.

Reports also shows that there have been several calls to 911.

The New Madrid Fault is the largest center for seismic activity in the area. It was not immediately returned if the New Madrid Fault was origin of the earthquake.


Earthquake Details

Magnitude 5.4

Date-Time

* Friday, April 18, 2008 at 09:36:57 UTC
* Friday, April 18, 2008 at 04:36:57 AM at epicenter

Location 38.501°N, 87.898°W
Depth 10 km (6.2 miles) set by location program
Region ILLINOIS

Distances
* 10 km (6 miles) ESE (103°) from West Salem, IL
* 10 km (6 miles) NE (55°) from Bone Gap, IL
* 13 km (8 miles) N (4°) from Bellmont, IL
* 39 km (24 miles) WSW (239°) from Vincennes, IN
* 66 km (41 miles) NNW (333°) from Evansville, IN
* 204 km (127 miles) E (93°) from St. Louis, MO

Location Uncertainty Error estimate not available
Parameters NST=021, Nph=021, Dmin=263.2 km, Rmss=1.07 sec, Gp=119°,
M-type=moment magnitude (Mw), Version=1

Source

* West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center/NOAA/NWS

Event ID at00851141

* This event has been reviewed by a seismologist.

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