A 2.9 magnitude earthquake was recorded by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) near Dacono, Colorado, early Friday morning around 6:18 a.m. The quake prompted numerous calls and emails from concerned residents in the surrounding areas, including Thornton and Erie, who reported feeling their homes shake and hearing loud booms.
Wanya Reese, a reporter for Denver7, headed north to gather more information, confirming reports of the earthquake’s impact. Dacono resident Kyle Browski described the sensation as akin to a heavy garage door slamming. By 7:29 a.m., the USGS had received over 145 reports from people feeling the earthquake, noting that the intensity ranged from weak north of Firestone to moderate near Sherwood.
The USGS encourages anyone who felt the earthquake to report their experiences as it helps provide data on seismic events. Colorado is home to five known faults, three of which have produced significant earthquakes of 7.0 magnitude or greater. Despite experiencing less frequent seismic activity compared to states like California and Alaska, Colorado has recorded more than 700 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or higher since 1867.
The event serves as a reminder that while Colorado has lower seismic activity, it is still important for residents to be aware of the potential for earthquakes and to know how to respond accordingly.