Magnitude 5.0 earthquake near Miami strongest in Texas Panhandle since 1900

MIAMI, Texas (ABC 7 News) — A magnitude 5.0 earthquake shook parts of the Texas Panhandle early Thursday, with residents reporting feeling the tremor across the region and into Oklahoma.

The earthquake struck at 5:21 a.m. about 24 miles northwest of Miami, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Geological Survey. The epicenter was also about 24 miles south-southeast of Spearman.

The earthquake originated about 3.5 miles below the surface. Shallow earthquakes are generally more likely to be felt than deeper earthquakes of the same magnitude.

People reported feeling the shaking in Amarillo, Lubbock, Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma. Hundreds of people submitted reports to the USGS indicating they felt the earthquake.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or significant damage.

The USGS initially classified the earthquake as a magnitude 5.0, though measurements can be revised as scientists review additional data.

The earthquake was unusually strong for the Texas Panhandle. USGS records indicate it was the strongest earthquake recorded in the region since at least 1900 and only the fourth magnitude 4.0 or greater earthquake recorded in the Panhandle during that period.

Magnitude 5.0 — July 23, 2026
About 24 miles south-southeast of Spearman and northwest of MiamiMagnitude 4.9 — July 30, 1925
Carson County, near PanhandleMagnitude 4.5 — March 12, 1948
About 11 miles north of DalhartMagnitude 4.5 — Feb. 15, 1974
About 9 miles northeast of Perryton

While the current U.S. Geological Survey earthquake catalog says Thursday’s earthquake was the strongest recorded in the Texas Panhandle, an older National Weather Service historical compilation estimates that earthquakes near Panhandle in 1925 and Dalhart in 1948 had magnitudes of 5.4 and 5.2, respectively.

Earthquakes are relatively uncommon in the Texas Panhandle because the region is far from the boundaries of the Earth’s tectonic plates, where most major earthquakes occur. However, stress can occasionally cause ancient faults beneath the region to move.

Scientists can also examine whether changes in underground pressure associated with oil and gas operations contributed to an earthquake, but additional data would be needed before determining the cause of Thursday’s event.

Aftershocks are possible following an earthquake of this size, though none had been reported immediately after the initial tremor.