Overview

• A 5.3-magnitude earthquake struck near the West Texas–New Mexico border on May 3 at 7:47 p.m., centered 35 miles south of Whites City, New Mexico.
• The quake occurred at a depth of nearly 4 miles and was part of a swarm of 46 earthquakes recorded in the area since early April.
• Tremors were felt across a 200-mile radius, affecting approximately 2 million people in the U.S. and Mexico, though no injuries or significant damage were reported.
• Seismologists estimate a 65% chance of a strong aftershock within the next week and have advised residents to remain cautious.
• The region's increasing seismic activity has been linked to human-induced causes, such as wastewater injection and fracking, in the oil-rich Permian Basin.