Michigan Earthquake 2015: Light Quake Felt From Southeast Michigan To Cleveland

This story has been updated.

Update, 3:15 p.m. EDT: As is frequently the case with U.S. Geological Survey preliminary estimates of magnitude, the agency has revised the magnitude of the Michigan-centered earthquake to 4.2 from 4.o.

Original Article Appears Below

A magnitude-4.0 earthquake shook southeastern Michigan Saturday around 12:23 p.m. EDT, a light tremor that was felt as far away as Cleveland, according to the U.S. Geological Survey and CBS Detroit. Earthquakes are rarely experienced east of the Rocky Mountains, according to the USGS, but when they strike, they usually affect larger areas than the more frequent ones in the Western U.S.

The earthquake epicenter was about 9 miles southeast of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and 57 miles southwest of Lansing, the state capital, according to the USGS. Tremors were felt throughout the Midwest, with reports of shaking in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, USGS geophysicist Paul Caruso told CBS Detroit. Midwestern residents reported their experiences on Twitter:

WTF?! We just felt a major tremor here. Rarely ever happens in the Midwest, and I have a gravel pit behind my yard (w. tree cover).
- Matt Janovic (@MJanovic) May 2, 2015

Just felt a crazy strong earthquake for the Midwest..
— Joi Smith (@Joiful182) May 2, 2015

Earthquake in the Midwest? The earth is shifting.
— Samantha Jordan ΔΣΘ (@_SJordan) May 2, 2015

So I guess that was an #earthquake here in Michigan. Really rattled the walls. That was the biggest one I've ever felt here in the Midwest.
— Kevin Lawrence (@kalawrence9) May 2, 2015

A magnitude-4.0 earthquake is “often felt but only causes minor damage,” according to the geology department at Michigan Technological University. Light quakes are defined as those between magnitude 4.0 and magnitude 4.9.

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