Series of Small Earthquakes Rattle Southeast Missouri

Howardville, Mo. (KFMO) - Southeast Missouri experienced a series of small earthquakes this week, with the latest recorded Tuesday night by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

The most recent quake, a magnitude 2.3, struck around 10 p.m. on December 10. Its epicenter was located about 2 miles from Howardville, Missouri, at a depth of approximately 2 miles. No damage or injuries were reported.

This follows a cluster of small earthquakes reported in the region on Monday, December 9. The first tremor, a magnitude 2.0, occurred around midnight about 6 kilometers east-southeast of Hayward, with a depth of 12.2 kilometers. Shortly after, at 12:08 a.m., a magnitude 2.2 quake was recorded about 8 kilometers east-southeast of Matthews at a depth of 19.2 kilometers. The strongest in the series, a magnitude 2.7 earthquake, was reported at 12:27 a.m., approximately 4 kilometers west of Howardville at a depth of 7.9 kilometers. Another quake, a magnitude 2.1, struck near Howardville at 4:27 a.m., and a final tremor, measuring 2.2, occurred around 7:30 a.m., 1 kilometer north of Marston.

Although minor, these quakes serve as a reminder of the region’s proximity to the New Madrid Seismic Zone, a historically active area for seismic activity.

Authorities report no injuries or structural damage from the events.