[KevinFromTexas]

So did any of you up there feel this?

Six earthquakes jolt North Texas
http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaa081031_wz_quake.167712f3e.html

Excerpts from the article:

There have been six confirmed earthquakes near Irving, Grand Prairie, Euless and Dallas, the most recent one measuring 3.0 magnitude Friday afternoon at 4:01 p.m. near Grand Prairie, just seven minutes after a 2.6 magnitude tremor in Irving.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the first 2.6 magnitude quake happened at 11:25 Thursday night; 35 minutes later, the second quake struck, a 3.0 magnitude. Others occurred at 12:33 (2.6) and 2:58 a.m. (2.9) Friday.

University of Texas at Arlington professor Larry Standlee said these are the first earthquakes ever recorded in North Texas.

"There are just no faults active in this area, and there haven't been for probably the last 250 million to 300 million years," he said, calling the event "a very rare occurence."

An April 7 earthquake in southern Texas had a 3.7 magnitude.

A minor earthquake was felt by some people in Amarillo on March 30, 2002. The Amarillo area also recorded seven minor earthquakes in 2000.

The biggest quake on record in Texas was in 1931 near Valentine, Texas, southeast of El Paso. Estimated at magnitude 5.8, the quake toppled chimneys and caused severe damage to all buildings except wood-frame structures. The Valentine quake was also felt in parts of Oklahoma, New Mexico and Mexico.

[Mopacs]

Interesting coincidence with the tremors centered in LA last night. Of course they are not related (as far as my laymen knowledge deciphers).

Perhaps someone could explain why earthquake occurrences are non-existent along the Balcones Fault, which runs along the I-35 corridor. As far as I know, significant seismic activity is long extinct in this region.

[Texan]

the earthquake was a 3.3 and I felt it. we also had them in october of last year too (the professor is lying).

[NormalgeNyus]

and also a 3.0 just north of nyc. all in the same day seems kinda weird

[KevinFromTexas]

the earthquake was a 3.3 and I felt it. we also had them in october of last year too (the professor is lying).

I thought so. I news reported it as a 3.3, and I could have sworn that I remembered hearing about one up there last year.

[Jdawgboy]

Interesting coincidence with the tremors centered in LA last night. Of course they are not related (as far as my laymen knowledge deciphers).

Perhaps someone could explain why earthquake occurrences are non-existent along the Balcones Fault, which runs along the I-35 corridor. As far as I know, significant seismic activity is long extinct in this region.

I just finished up Physical Geography at ACC and studied faults and earthquakes. Indeed the Balcones Fault is in essence (dead) and has not been active for roughly 250 million years, in fact a massive earthquake was the main factor for creating the Texas Hill Country likely around that same time. Since we are not on the edge of a major Continental plate, most of the faults in Texas have pretty much been fused. It is rare but not uncommon however to have an earthquake in an area that does not have an active fault. Remember the entire crust of the Earth is constantly moving over a non-moltin (Plastic) or Morphing rock layer known as the Asthenosphere in the Upper Mantle. Sometimes even in a "Solid Area" (not being really solid) You can still have small Earthquakes from time to time.

[John R]

I didn't feel a thing or notice anything unusual. However, I'm in South Fort Worth, about 17 miles southwest from the epicenter.

[Trae]

I didn't feel a thing or notice anything unusual. However, I'm in South Fort Worth, about 17 miles southwest from the epicenter.

I don't think that's very far in earthquake terms.

Interesting stuff jdawgboy.

[John R]

I don't think it is very far, either. However, people living in the vicinity of the quake certainly felt it along with many people living to the north. Some people southeast of the center felt it, yet I didn't hear of any reports of people living in central, south, and west Fort Worth noticing it.

[Double L]

Very interesting...