Magnitude 5.3 Earthquake Shakes West Texas, Tremors Felt Across 200-Mile Radius

A magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck West Texas on Saturday night, with its epicenter about 35 miles south of Whites City, New Mexico, and was followed by multiple aftershocks. The tremor, part of an ongoing seismic swarm along the Texas-New Mexico border, was felt across a 200-mile radius, affecting nearly two million people in the U.S. and northern Mexico. Despite the quake's strength, the region's sparse population meant there were no reports of fatalities or significant damage, and the risk of ground failures was considered minimal. Authorities and agencies such as the USGS and EMSC advised residents to remain cautious and follow safety recommendations, with aftershocks expected in the coming days. Experts note that the increasing frequency of earthquakes in the region has been linked to oil and gas activities, particularly wastewater disposal from fracking operations. While fracking itself is not usually the direct cause, the disposal process has been associated with a significant share of seismic activity in Texas.