Extremely Rare 2.9 Magnitude Earthquake Recorded in Lake Michigan East of Lake County
- The United States Geological Survey reported a 2.9 magnitude earthquake struck Lake Michigan on Wednesday approximately 12 miles east-northeast of Kenilworth, Illinois, at a shallow depth of roughly three miles.
- Northwestern University Earth scientist Suzan Van Der Lee noted the Chicago area lacks active fault lines, yet earthquakes can occur within tectonic plates, though rarely. This seismic activity represents an extremely rare event for the region.
- Reports of light shaking came from Highland Park, Evanston, and Skokie, with residents as far as Loves Park—over 77 miles away—reporting tremors. The USGS is collecting data through its online 'Did You Feel It?' form.
- Authorities confirmed no damage or emergency calls resulted from the earthquake, and residents along the lakefront face no tsunami threat. Van Der Lee explained the event occurred too deep underground to displace the lakebed.
- This event marks only the second recorded earthquake on Lake Michigan in at least the past 100 years. The only other recent tremor occurred near Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, on August 2, 2024.
26 Articles
26 Articles
Small but rare earthquake shakes Chicago area
A small but rare magnitude 2.9 earthquake shook the Chicago area, with weak shaking reported across parts of northeastern Illinois, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The magnitude 2.9 earthquake struck at 2:38 p.m. in Lake Michigan, about 12 miles east-northeast of Kenilworth in Cook County and 22 miles northeast of downtown Chicago, according to USGS data. It had a depth of 3 miles. More than 300 people submitted felt reports to t…
Chicago Sun Times
Chicago area jostled by 2.9 magnitude earthquake
<p>Some parts of the Chicago area felt a bit of rumbling Wednesday afternoon as the United States Geological Survey reported a 2.9-magnitude earthquake off the Lake Michigan shore by Kenilworth.</p><p>The <a class="Link" href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us7000sz2h/executive" target="_blank" ><u>earthquake</u></a> began around 1:40 p.m. more than 12 miles east of the shore and about three miles under the lake's surface, acc…
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