Thursday, December 30, 2010

Indiana Earthquake: 3.8 Magnitude Earthquake Rattles Central Indiana


A 3.8 magnitude earthquake rattled portions of Central Indiana Thursday morning--and was even felt by some Chicago residents.

The U.S. Geological Survey initially estimated the quake's strength was magnitude 4.2, but since lowered that number, according to the Associated Press.

Residents of Chicago, Naperville and Buffalo Grove, Illinois told NBC Chicago they felt their beds shaking and saw their ceiling fans move early Thursday. A geophysicist told the AP a 3.8 magnitude quake "would feel like a loaded truck passing by."

The Indiana Geological Survey had no records of a 3.8 magnitude earthquake in Central Indiana ever, according to the Indianapolis Star. The director of the IGS told the Star that the quakes location--about 3 miles below the ground--was "highly irregular" and "extremely rare."

Indiana's last major earthquake was on April 18, 2008. The 5.2 magnitude quake was the strongest to hit the state in 40 years, the Star reports.

No injuries or damage had been reported as of 9:30 a.m. CT.

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