Overnight Earthquake Shakes Up Central IL With 3.8 Magnitude: USGS

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, IL — Illinois averages around five earthquakes a year, mostly in the southern part of the state, according to the United States Geological Survey. The new year now has one on the record following a 3.8 magnitude earthquake overnight Tuesday in central Illinois.

According to USGS, the earthquake occurred in Pana, a small town (population of 5,199 in 2020 census) in Christian County. Pana is about eight miles northwest of Montgomery County.

USGS, the science arm of the Department of the Interior, said the earthquake struck at a depth of about 8.8 km. Residents in Pana shared with USGS that they "moderately" felt the earthquake, according to data collected by the agency.