Earthquakes in Texas: Yes, They Happen (But Mostly Small)

Yes, earthquakes occur in Texas. While not on a major plate boundary like California, Texas experiences intraplate seismicity and, increasingly, induced seismicity from human activity.

Historic Natural Earthquakes

• Aug 31, 1931 – Valentine, TX: M5.8 – Largest recorded in Texas. Damaged adobe buildings, cracked walls in El Paso (120 mi away). Felt over 400,000 sq mi.
• May 26, 2002 – Near Mount Enterprise, TX: M5.0 – Felt across East Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas.
• Apr 18, 2015 – Near Cushing, TX (East TX): M4.3 – Felt in Tyler, Longview, Shreveport.

Modern Surge: Induced Seismicity

Since ~2008, North Texas (Dallas-Fort Worth, Azle, Irving, Venus) and West Texas (Permian Basin) have seen hundreds of small quakes (M2–4) linked to wastewater injection from oil/gas production (fracking flowback, produced water). The Texas Railroad Commission now monitors injection volumes/pressures and can curtail permits.

Risk Profile

• Most quakes < M3.0 – unfelt or barely noticed.
• Damage rare – building codes not seismic-focused.
• No major fault lines like San Andreas; max credible ~M6.0 in West TX.

Monitor via USGS Real-Time Map or TexNet (UT Austin).