A small earthquake was felt early Saturday morning in southwestern Montana, near the city of Butte. Though the tremor was mild, it was strong enough to be noticed by a few residents. Officials say there’s no damage or injuries, and people don’t need to worry about more shaking for now.
Details of the Earthquake
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the earthquake had a magnitude of 2.7 and occurred at 6:27 a.m. MDT (12:27 UTC). It was centered about 18 kilometers southeast of Butte and happened at a depth of roughly 10.9 kilometers below the Earth’s surface.
This type of quake is considered minor and usually does not cause any harm. At least nine people reported feeling the tremor using the USGS’s “Did You Feel It?” online tool.
No Damage or Injuries Reported
Local emergency services confirmed that there were no reports of damage to buildings, and no one was hurt. The shaking was light and may have been felt in nearby areas like Whitehall and Dillon. However, no warnings or alerts were issued since the earthquake was not strong enough to cause concern.
Montana’s Earthquake Zone
Small earthquakes are fairly common in Montana. The state lies along the Intermountain Seismic Belt — an area known for regular underground movement. This zone stretches from northwest Arizona to western Montana and often experiences minor quakes like this one.
While Saturday’s tremor was not serious, experts say it’s a good reminder that earthquakes can happen even in places where they are not frequent. People should always be a little prepared, especially in areas known for seismic activity.
Monitoring and Future Safety
USGS scientists are keeping an eye on the area in case of aftershocks. So far, no additional earthquakes have been recorded within a 250 km radius over the past 24 hours.
People who felt the quake can still submit their experience on the USGS website. This helps researchers understand how far the shaking was felt and how the ground reacted.
The small earthquake near Butte, Montana, on Saturday morning caused no harm but was felt by a few people. It’s a reminder that natural events like these can occur unexpectedly. Even minor earthquakes are part of Montana’s geology, so staying aware and informed can help in the long run.
