A minor earthquake shook parts of southeast Michigan Monday evening, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, startling residents but causing no immediate reports of damage.
The quake, measured at magnitude 2.7, struck at 5:32 p.m. EDT about four miles west-northwest of Carleton, a community south of Detroit, the USGS reported.
The earthquake occurred at a depth of roughly 4.2 miles, beneath the surface, based on USGS data. It was detected by more than 30 seismic monitoring stations and later reviewed by a scientist, indicating a confirmed event.
Small earthquakes of this magnitude are generally considered light and are sometimes felt but rarely cause damage. The USGS notes that thousands of earthquakes occur each year in the United States, most too weak to be noticed.
Reports from Chelsea, Dexter, Milan, and Saline area residents on social media suggested brief shaking or rumbling, though such low-magnitude events often go unnoticed by many people.
Michigan is not known for frequent seismic activity, but minor quakes do occur occasionally in the region. Monday’s event was one of several small earthquakes recorded near the Detroit area in recent months, all below magnitude 3.0.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or structural damage.
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