Earthquake Near Cowles: 4.1-Magnitude Tremor South of Hastings Triggers Three Shakes and Local Reactions
COWLES, Neb. — A magnitude 4. 1 earthquake struck south-central Nebraska on Sunday, and community reports and seismic records show two smaller tremors followed later the same day. The earthquake registered on local seismic instruments and prompted reports of faint rumbling and rattling from residents across the region.
Earthquake details and timeline
The U. S. Geological Survey recorded the initial quake at 12: 59 p. m. The 4. 1-magnitude event was centered roughly three miles east of the Webster County village of Cowles, south of Hastings and near the Kansas border. That first shock had a depth of around 2 miles and traveled a minimum distance of 86 miles.
About 90 minutes later, the USGS recorded a 2. 6-magnitude aftershock at 2: 30 p. m., located roughly a mile east of the original site with a depth nearly 3. 5 miles. A third 2. 6-magnitude event was recorded at 8: 45 p. m., more to the south than the first two, with a depth just over three miles.
Where the earthquake was felt
Reports of shaking came from a broad area. Residents from Beaver Crossing to Lincoln said they felt the tremor, and additional reports came from as far away as Omaha and Manhattan, Kansas. Numerous people posted firsthand accounts on social platforms, describing a faint rumbling of floors or rattling in houses.
Community reactions and firsthand accounts
Local residents described varied reactions when the shaking began. One resident, Richard Webb, said he was sitting at a table looking at his phone and at first thought the movement was caused by a refrigerator. Another resident, David Crable, said he was lying in bed and initially mistook the motion for his dog shaking behind him before realizing the movement was more widespread. Others said they thought at first it was a passing train or a pet.
Seismic context: rarity and previous events
A quake of magnitude 4. 1 is considered light and is not likely to cause damage. Earthquakes are relatively rare in Nebraska, though the state typically records one or two minor quakes per year. The last time the state logged a quake of magnitude 4 or higher occurred in December 2023, also in Webster County.
