Earthquake Reported In South Texas Town

AUSTIN, TX — A minor earthquake was reported early Tuesday in Nixon, Texas, located some 70 miles south of Austin, officials said.

The tremor was the fourth in the region in less than a month, according to reports. Registering at a 3.1 magnitude on the Richter scale, the quake struck the South Texas town at 5:52 a.m. CST, according to the United States Geological Survey. The earthquake was reported near Smiley, in Gonzales County, 45 miles southeast from San Antonio.

The USGS reported the earthquake was the fourth small tremor in the within a month's time. A 2.2 magnitude quake was recorded April 23, a 3.0 magnitude quake was recorded May 10, and a third, 3.1 magnitude earthquake happened on May 12, near Cuero, Texas.

While such earthquakes in the area are not uncommon of late, officials noted, they have caused only minor damage to date.