Being in the Midwest, it’s not every day Illinoisans think about earthquakes. Yet, interestingly, some of our greatest natural treasures were formed from quakes hundreds of years ago. The Prairie State does actually have a long list of earthquakes, though because they’re typically on the smaller side, they tend to fade into history rather quickly. However, just recently, residents in the Illinois Valley woke up to an early-morning shaking surprise. Here’s what we know about the 2023 earthquake in Standard, Illinois.

Residents of Putnam County in Northern Illinois were rattled awake in the early morning hours of Wednesday, Nov. 15 after a startling 3.6 magnitude earthquake hit the region.
Ken Lund/Flickr
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the epicenter was located in the tiny rural town of Standard, Illinois, home to a population of under 300. The event occurred at about 4:41 a.m., prompting some 911 calls from residents who reported their homes shaking.
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The earthquake originated nearly 3 miles below the earth's surface, according to the USGS. According to some news reports, the shaking lasted about 10 seconds or less and was likely spurred by the earth settling from ancient glaciers.
United States Geological Survey
Standard is about 100 miles southwest of Chicago, but the quake's effects were felt for miles — including in other states. People in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Indiana reported feeling the tremor, though thankfully it left very little, if any, damage in its wake.
United States Geological Survey
Experts say that Illinois is situated between two hot spots for seismic trembling in the U.S. and experiences one earthquake a year on average. A stronger quake that could produce minor damage happens about every 20 years. While notable earthquakes were felt in Illinois in 2010 and 2018, the largest ever recorded in Illinois was in Hamilton County on Nov. 9, 1958, which saw a 5.4 magnitude event.
Soham K/Pixabay

Did you feel the 2023 earthquake in Standard, Illinois? Have you ever experienced an earthquake in Illinois? Tell us in the comments! Learn more about this historic event at the USGS website, and consider filling out this form if you felt the quake in real-time. Want to make sure your furniture stays in place in case of a seismic event? These budget-friendly furniture anchors from Amazon are an easy way to have some peace of mind.

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