ALBUQUERQUE – A series of earthquakes shook parts of central New Mexico on Wednesday, with at least seven seismic events reported in an area south of Albuquerque near Belen.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquakes ranged in magnitude from 2.6 to 3.8. The strongest quake, measuring 3.8, occurred at approximately 4:46 a.m. west of Interstate 25 and south of Belen, about 35 miles south of Albuquerque.
Additional earthquakes followed throughout the morning, including a magnitude 3.5 quake at 6:44 a.m. and a magnitude 3.2 quake at 7:15 a.m. Four other earthquakes ranging from magnitude 2.6 to 3.3 were also recorded in the area along the Rio Grande.
Scientists say the activity is related to geological features beneath central New Mexico. Dr. Urbi Basu, a research scientist with the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources at New Mexico Tech, told KOB-TV that the region sits above a large magma body located about 20 kilometers below the surface. Basu said the formation is relatively thin vertically but extends laterally from the San Antonio area northward toward Albuquerque.
The latest seismic activity comes just days after several other earthquakes were recorded in the same region. No injuries or significant damage had been reported as of Wednesday evening.
By John Krehbiel – Bravo Mic Communications LLC – john@bravomic.com
KVLC 101 Gold- 101.1 FM- Classic Hits