Earthquakes can happen without warning, making it essential to stay up to date. The term earthquake today has become a top search as people track seismic activity in their regions. In early May 2025, Texas and New Mexico experienced noticeable tremors that caught residents' attention. Let's break down what happened, where it struck, and what you need to know if you felt the shaking.
On the evening of May 4, 2025, a 5.3 magnitude earthquake shook areas near the Texas-New Mexico border. According to the KCBD News report, El Paso residents felt the shaking around 7:47 p.m. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed the quake's epicenter was about 35 miles south of Whites City, New Mexico, and nearly four miles below the surface. This was part of a broader swarm, with 46 mostly smaller tremors rattling the area since early April.
Most quakes in this series were too minor to notice, but the largest one reached a magnitude that prompted concern. Fortunately, the surrounding area is sparsely populated, so few people were affected and no injuries were reported. USGS data suggests there is a 65% chance of a strong aftershock within a week following significant quakes.
Shaking from the earthquake today reached not just El Paso, but also neighboring counties in New Mexico. According to this KOAT article, people in Carlsbad, Roswell, and Alamogordo reported feeling the quake. After the initial event, two smaller earthquakes followed—one just before 8 p.m. and another on Sunday morning, each centered in the region of southern New Mexico and west Texas. None of the events caused reported damage.
KFOX documented the event as well, confirming the Borderland region felt the shaking. Although the area is familiar with occasional tremors, events of this magnitude remain rare.
Earthquakes can occur anywhere, but certain geological features increase the likelihood. The region near the Texas-New Mexico border consists of various fault lines and underground rock formations. Most earthquakes in this part of the U.S. tend to be minor, yet, as seen today, larger events can surprise residents. While the earthquakes are often caused by natural shifting of the Earth's plates, human activities such as drilling can sometimes contribute as well.
Feeling an earthquake today—or any day—can be unsettling. Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind:
Staying informed helps you respond quickly. Following updates from local news sources and official agencies is always recommended.
Seismic activity along the Texas-New Mexico border highlights the importance of staying alert. An earthquake today serves as a reminder to prepare, stay informed, and support your community during emergencies. For the latest about earthquake activity, check updates from trustworthy sources, including KCBD, KOAT, and KFOX.
Remember, the more you know about earthquakes today, the safer you'll be when the ground starts to shake next time.