14-05-2025
3.3 magnitude earthquake wakes up part of Central Illinois
MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA) — When you think about hurricanes and tornados, you typically know what time of the year these storms will happen. But other natural disasters like earthquakes can happen at anytime.
Monday night, some people in Central Illinois felt that sensation for themselves. It took place in the Coles and Cumberland county viewing area. A few places that could feel the shaking were Mattoon, Neoga, Johnstown and a few others.
The earthquake happened around 11:45 pm Monday night. No damage has been reported so far. The United States Geological Survey said the magnitude of the earthquake was a 3.3 and occurred about six miles below the earth.
READ MORE: Earthquake confirmed in Cumberland, Coles Counties Monday Night
A local geologist said this means the size and strength of the quake weren't anything significant. He said the people who were able to feel the movement were most likely sitting still at the time of the earthquake.
Mattoon resident Rick Royse said the movement woke him up.
'I wasn't really nervous because … I basically just woke up from a dead sleep and that was the first thing I thought was earthquake. But then again, I thought, well, I guess it's just a dream,' Royse said.
WCIA also caught up with Robert Bauer, an engineering geologist.
'A 3.3 [earthquake], it's fairly small; it's not damaging,' Bauer said. 'Many people would not feel it if you're walking.'
He added that the USGS has a survey for people to respond to whether they felt the earthquake or not. The website says more than one hundred people felt the shaking. The Illinois Geological Survey says the state averages about five earthquakes per year.
Experts say most earthquakes that produce damage have magnitudes around four to five.
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