Magnitude 2.3 earthquake detected as severe storms, tornado moved through western Kentucky
Magnitude 2.3 earthquake detected as severe storms, tornado moved through western Kentucky. The development was reported by KATU.
Magnitude 2.3 earthquake detected as severe storms: Latest Details
As severe st orms and a confirmed tornado moved through western Kentucky early Thursday morning, another natural phenomenon was detected nearby: an earthquake. A magnitude 2.3 earthquake was detected in the region as a line of severe thunderstorms moved through western Kentucky, according to FOX 17 News Meteorologist Greg Bobos.
The earthquake occurred near an area where a tornado had been confirmed on the ground as severe storms swept through the region. Despite the unusual timing, there is currently no indication the earthquake and severe weather were connected.
The earthquake also occurred in a region known for seismic activity near the New Madrid Seismic Zone, which stretches through portions of the central United States, including areas near western Tennessee and western Kentucky. The New Madrid Seismic Zone is a system of faults beneath parts of the central Mississippi Valley.
The region has a long history of seismic activity and continues to produce smaller earthquakes. The U.S. Geological Survey says the New Madrid region is the most seismically active area in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains.
The magnitude 2.3 earthquake came as western Kentucky was dealing with an overnight round of severe weather. RELATED COVERAGE | Tornado warning in western Kentucky expires; Severe storms continues overnight The National Weather Service issued multiple warnings as storms moved through the area.
While thunderstorms and tornadoes are atmospheric events and earthquakes are caused by movement within the Earth's crust, their occurrence in the same general area made for an unusual night of weather and geological activity across the region.
Source and Timing
The latest confirmed information was attributed to KATU and published about 7 minutes ago.
For this Magnitude 2.3 earthquake detected as severe storms report, Cedar News used the confirmed details available from KATU at publication time.
