SOUTHEAST MEADE COUNTY, S.D. – West River South Dakota has been hit with its second earthquake since March. On Saturday at 9:30pm local time, a magnitude 2.6 earthquake was detected approximately 10 miles north-northwest of Wasta. No damage or injuries were reported.The last time a similar earthquake happened in western South Dakota was on March 8th on the eastern portion of Custer State Park. Earthquakes almost always happen on fault lines, and while South Dakota may not have any major faults like California or Japan, minor fault lines are located everywhere on earth. The USGS has compiled a
list of known faults in South Dakota
, many of which are in geologically complex areas such as the Black Hills or Standing Rock. Many smaller faults have yet to be added to the database but are still present nonetheless.
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The largest earthquake on record was in 1911 just south of Huron which measured a magnitude 4.5. For a full list of earthquakes around the world,
click here to go to the USGS earthquake database
By
Per Lundquist
Per grew up in Sioux Falls and graduated from South Dakota Mines. He found his passion for weather reporting by the impact it has on the community, both in how people work and how it brings people together through severe weather preparation. He also has a passion for preventing health issues with Air Quality Index awareness. Per can be found enjoying outdoor activities in the Black Hills when the weather allows.
