M 3.6 Earthquake Recorded 55 km South of Whites City, New Mexico
A minor magnitude 3.6 earthquake occurred south of Whites City, New Mexico, on March 2, 2026. The shallow tremor was recorded at a depth of approximately 6.1 kilometers.
What Happened
A minor earthquake with a magnitude of 3.6 ml occurred on March 2, 2026, at 08:12 UTC. The event was centered approximately 55 km south of Whites City, New Mexico. The earthquake originated at a shallow depth of 6.1 kilometers.
Location Details
The seismic activity was located at coordinates 31.674°N and 104.367°W. This position places the epicenter in a region south of Whites City. The depth of 6.1 km is classified as shallow; earthquakes at this depth (less than 20 km) are often more likely to be felt by people near the epicenter than deeper events of the same magnitude.
Impact Assessment
According to the USGS, there were no felt reports submitted at the time of the initial data processing. There is no tsunami advisory, watch, or warning in effect for this event. No alert level color was assigned to this minor seismic occurrence, which recorded a maximum modified Mercalli intensity (MMI) of 4.295.
What You Should Know
Earthquakes with magnitudes between 2.5 and 3.9 are classified as minor. While they are often felt, they rarely cause significant damage. Residents in the area should be aware that aftershocks are a common occurrence following seismic events, though they are typically smaller than the initial quake.
Source
Information provided by the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.
Source: USGS Official Notice