Small earthquake rattles Las Vegas, geologists say. ‘My house legit just swayed’
A small earthquake rattled Las Vegas, and many people were confused.
The 2.5-magnitude earthquake shook North Las Vegas shortly after 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. Light shaking from the earthquake could be felt throughout the Las Vegas area, according to geologists.
While an earthquake of that size is rarely felt, people in Las Vegas were puzzled by what they felt.
More than 400 people reported feeling the earthquake to the USGS. Some people also reported on social media feeling their houses shake or a small jolt.
“Anyone else feel an earthquake in Las Vegas?? My house legit just swayed,” one person said on Twitter.
Another person said it was unlike any other earthquake they’ve experienced.
Other people had similar reactions.
Magnitude measures the energy released at the source of the earthquake, the U.S. Geological Survey says. It replaces the old Richter scale.
Quakes between 2.5 and 5.4 magnitude are often felt but rarely cause much damage, according to Michigan Tech. Quakes below 2.5 magnitude are seldom felt by most people.