x
Breaking News
More () »

Small earthquake shakes part of DC region overnight

The U.S. Geological Survey reported a 2.1 magnitude earthquake in Howard County.

CLARKSVILLE, Md. — Did you feel it?

A small earthquake was reported in Howard County early Wednesday morning by the U.S. Geological Survey's National Earthquake Center.

According to data from the U.S. Geological Survey's website, the 2.1 magnitude quake occurred in Clarksville, Maryland, around 2:21 a.m.

There are no reported injuries as a result of the quake, and WUSA9 has not received any information what damage the quake did.

A magnitude 2 earthquake is small. According to the USGS, a small earthquake nearby will feel like a small sharp jolt followed by a few stronger sharp shakes that pass quickly. A small earthquake far away may not be felt at all.

Credit: USGS
A screenshot from the USGS website shows where the earthquake occurred.

Earthquakes are relatively rare in Maryland, and the Maryland Geological Survey says Marylanders are more likely to feel earthquakes in neighboring states than one in Maryland. 

The last earthquake that registered above a 2 on the Richter scale in Maryland happened in 2010, when a 3.4 magnitude quake rattled the Germantown area, according to Maryland Geological Survey data. That 2010 quake may have been the largest quake on record in the state going all the way back to 1758, when a 3.5 magnitude quake was reported, the data shows.

If you felt Wednesday's earthquake, you can report it here.

RELATED: Intense rainfall, hotter summers | A look at how climate change impacts DC area gardens

RELATED: New enhanced safety reviews of multifamily, commercial properties announced by Bowser after Northwest building collapse

WUSA9 is now on Roku and Amazon Fire TVs. Download the apps today for live newscasts and video on demand.

Download the WUSA9 app to get breaking news, weather and important stories at your fingertips.

Sign up for the Get Up DC newsletter: Your forecast. Your commute. Your news.
Sign up for the Capitol Breach email newsletter, delivering the latest breaking news and a roundup of the investigation into the Capitol Riots on January 6, 2021.

Before You Leave, Check This Out