A Michigan earthquake that rattled the state on Tuesday registered 3.3 on the richter scale.The United States Geological Survey, or USGS, has confirmed that the earthquake struck Michigan about seven miles NE of Union City in Calhoun County, at about 11:42 a.m.
Local station WNEM in Michigan reports that the earthquake is believed to be an aftershock from one that rattled the region back on May 2nd, according to Don Blakeman, a geophysicist with the USGS.
The May earthquake registered 4.2 on the richter scale. It was felt all over the state of Michigan.
Blakeman believes Tuesday’s earthquake was an aftershock because it was so close to the location of the earthquake that struck in May. May’s Michigan earthquake was the second strongest in the state’s history. The strongest came in 1947 and registered 4.6 on the richter scale. He added that Tuesday’s earthquake could be felt all over Michigan, but wasn’t a strong enough earthquake to cause any damage. Damage is rare in earthquakes registering less than 4.0 on the richter scale.
JUST IN: Magnitude-3.3 #earthquake struck near Battle Creek, Michigan at 11:42am EDT. Also felt in Kalamazoo. pic.twitter.com/FdaNN9mNrr
— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) June 30, 2015
No damage or injuries have been reported as a result of this Michigan earthquake.
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder issued a statement in the aftermath of the earthquake.
“Even though they don’t happen often in Michigan, earthquakes are a threat our emergency management officials are prepared and trained to handle,” he said. “Today’s event should serve as another reminder for Michiganders of the importance of personal preparedness for all kinds of emergencies and disasters.”
Even though there was no damage and no one was hurt, earthquakes like the one that rattled Michigan on Tuesday can still make for very frightening experiences.
