3.8 quake rattles Arkansas along New Madrid fault

A magnitude 3.8 earthquake rattled parts of northeastern Arkansas on Wednesday, according to geologists.

The earthquake occurred shortly before noon near the town of Etowah, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. The rural town, which has a population of about 250 people, is located about 50 miles north of Memphis.

The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management said there were no reports from county officials of damage or injuries.

Etowah is near the New Madrid fault line, which has been responsible for hundreds of small tremors each year, as well as the historic 1811 series of powerful earthquakes including one with an estimated magnitude of 7.7.

Jeremy Brown, who lives near Etowah, told The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that he “thought an 18-wheeler struck the house for a second.”

More than 400 people in four states checked in on the USGS website to relay that they also felt the quake.