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Magnitude-4 Quake Hits Near Cooter, Missouri; No Injuries

4/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

A magnitude-4.0 earthquake struck near Cooter, Missouri on April 23 2026 at 12:59 p.m., shaking Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois and Mississippi and producing 840 USGS reports.
USGS called it the largest New Madrid quake of 2026 and the first magnitude-4 there since 2005, with no injuries or major damage.
A magnitude-2.1 aftershock followed minutes later, with scientists estimating a 23% chance of another magnitude-3+ quake and a 5% chance of a quake as strong as today within 30 days.

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Story summary

A magnitude-4.0 earthquake struck near Cooter, Missouri on April 23 2026 at 12:59 p.m., shaking Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois and Mississippi and producing 840 USGS reports.
USGS called it the largest New Madrid quake of 2026 and the first magnitude-4 there since 2005, with no injuries or major damage.
A magnitude-2.1 aftershock followed minutes later, with scientists estimating a 23% chance of another magnitude-3+ quake and a 5% chance of a quake as strong as today within 30 days.