5.0-magnitude earthquake strikes Texas panhandle

No injuries or deaths were reported from early-morning temblor whose epicenter was 68 miles from Amarillo

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A 5.0-magnitude earthquake struck the Texas panhandle, the state’s northernmost region, on Thursday, marking the strongest quake to hit the area since 1900.

The earthquake struck at around 5.21am at a depth of 3.5 miles (5.7km), according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). Its epicenter was about 27.8 miles south-east of the city of Spearman and approximately 68 miles from Amarillo.

No injuries or deaths were reported, with the USGS saying : “Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are unreinforced brick masonry and reinforced masonry construction.”

Residents across the region said they felt the shaking, with one Facebook user writing: “Awakened by thunder-like rumble and shaking in Pampa around 5:20am.”

Another resident said: “Woke us up in Mobeetie. Lasted about 20 seconds or so. A picture fell off a shelf also.”

Several people in White Deer also reported feeling the quake. One person said it “shook the bed”, while another said: “It was wild! We live in White Deer. I was standing, and it threw me way off balance. Talk about a strange feeling.”

Residents in western Oklahoma and south-western Kansas also felt the tremors, according to local media outlets .