History of Earthquakes in Louisiana

Residents in East Texas and South Shreveport were startled early Thursday morning (May 17, 2012) by a mysterious shaking.  Yes, it was an earthquake. The epicenter was determined to be near Timpson, TX.  Many residents in East Texas commented they had never felt anything like it before.The early morning quake, felt around 3:12am Thursday morning (May 17) has been measured at 4.3 on the Richter Scale.  Technically this is considered a Texas quake, but Louisiana actually has a long history of earthquakes.

Earthquakes have been documented to be felt in Louisiana since the early 1800s.  Quakes that originated in places as far as Missouri and South Carolina have been felt in Louisiana.

The largest Louisiana earthquake happened in 1930 in Napoleonville in Assumption Parish.  Measuring at 4.2 on the Richter Scale, the quake damaged chimneys and broke windows at Napoleonville and cracked plaster at White Castle, northwest of Napoleonville.  Many people in the area rushed into the streets.

Real Time Earthquake Map

Some residents in the area commented on facebook about their experience with Thursday's earthquake...

"I was up and awake when it started. Was in Shreveport. The ceiling light started to sway back and forth. I could see the water in my water bottle vibrating..I remember feeling real dizzy before I noticed the shaking." - Belinda Justice, Shreveport

"Felt at Willis Knighton Pierremont. The mini blinds in our room were swaying on the 7th floor. Then calls from WK North and South were coming into the nurses station asking if we felt it too." - Lorie Emmons, Spring Ridge