News Release

Earthquake shakes northern Illinois

Peer-Reviewed Publication

U.S. Geological Survey

A minor earthquake, preliminary magnitude 3.5 according to the U.S. Geological Survey, occurred in northern Illinois at 12:17 Eastern Daylight Time, or 11:17 local time today, Sept. 2. The epicenter was about 10 miles south southeast of Dixon, Illinois, or about 90 miles west of Chicago. The earthquake was felt in Dixon and Rockford, Illinois. The USGS has received no reports of damage at this time.

The most recent damaging earthquake recorded in this area was a magnitude 4.5 event on Sept. 14, 1972. It was centered at Amboy (Lee County), south of Rockford. Cracks in chimneys, elevated water tanks, and plaster resulted.

The largest recorded earthquake centered in Illinois occurred on Nov 9, 1968 in southern Illinois. The magnitude was 5.5. This event was centered near Dale (Hamilton County), and was felt as far away as Boston, MA and southern Ontario, Canada.

As the nation's largest water, earth and biological science and civilian mapping agency, the USGS works in cooperation with more than 2000 organizations across the country to provide reliable, impartial, scientific information to resource managers, planners, and other customers. This information is gathered in every state by USGS scientists to minimize the loss of life and property from natural disasters, to contribute to the conservation and the sound economic and physical development of the nation's natural resources, and to enhance the quality of life by monitoring water, biological, energy, and mineral resources.

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Note to editors: As more information is received and the data are further analyzed, we may issue updates or clarifications on this event.



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