COLUMBIA, Md. — A brief tremor shook parts of Howard County late Monday afternoon, with the U.S. Geological Survey confirming a small earthquake occurred around 5:17 p.m.
Howard County Police said residents across the area reported feeling light shaking and rattling but that no damage or injuries have been reported.
The USGS recorded the minor quake on its national earthquake monitoring network, though officials said it was too weak to cause structural impacts.
Key Points
- Earthquake recorded around 5:17 p.m. in Howard County
- No injuries or property damage reported
- USGS confirms the event as a minor tremor
Residents report brief shaking across region
Calls and messages from residents described a few seconds of vibration strong enough to be felt indoors. The shaking was reported in several neighborhoods but caused no apparent disruptions to utilities or traffic.
Officials monitoring for aftershocks
Howard County Police said they are monitoring updates from the USGS and local emergency management teams but emphasized that there is no indication of additional seismic activity expected in the area.
USGS confirms minor seismic event
According to the USGS event page, the earthquake’s magnitude was low, consistent with typical minor seismic events occasionally recorded in the mid-Atlantic region. Such quakes are generally harmless but can still be widely felt depending on depth and proximity.
Authorities urged residents who experienced any damage or unusual effects to report them to county emergency services for assessment.