More than 10 tornadoes were believed to have touched down in the Chicago area Monday night, and residents on Chicago's west side were hit by a small earthquake early Tuesday morning.
A magnitude 3.4 earthquake struck the Somonak area of Illinois at approximately 2:53 a.m. local time. according to According to the US Geological Survey, the quake's epicenter was fairly shallow, just 6 miles (9.8 kilometers) deep, which may be why several people in Chicago's western suburbs reported feeling the tremors, according to USA Today.
Fortunately, the shaking was not enough to cause any damage, although even small earthquakes can cause considerable damage depending on other factors such as shallowness, soil type, and building materials.
Earthquake hits near Somonak, Illinois https://t.co/cXzfBr5h0E pic.twitter.com/7OoATUQHW4
— CBS Chicago (@cbschicago) July 15, 2024
Severe storms ripped through Illinois Monday night and into Tuesday morning, but small earthquakes were probably the least of Illinois' worries. (Related article: Scientists say US mega-fault zone may be on the brink of earthquakes)
The National Weather Service issued a series of warnings Monday after several tornadoes were reported across the Chicago area, with one believed to have touched down at or near Chicago's O'Hare Airport. Passengers on the tarmac reported being trapped inside aircraft as sirens wailing.
High winds, downed trees and flooded areas left many residents in the region without power Tuesday morning as the storm is now expected to move through New England.
