Early Morning Earthquake Rattles Denver Metro Residents, Highlights Colorado's Seismic Activity
Colorado residents in the northern Denver metro area were jolted awake Friday morning when a 2.9 magnitude earthquake struck near Dacono, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The tremor, which occurred at approximately 6:18 a.m., sent ripples through several Front Range communities, with residents reporting shaking homes and loud booming sounds in Thornton and Erie. By 7:29 a.m., 145 Colorado residents had reported feeling the earthquake's effects.
"It kind of felt like a door slamming, like my heavy garage door slamming," described Dacono resident Kyle Browski, capturing the startling experience felt by many local families.
While this morning's earthquake serves as a reminder of Colorado's seismic potential, experts at the Colorado Geological Survey note that our state's seismic history is more significant than many residents realize:
- Five major fault lines run through Colorado
- Three faults have historically produced earthquakes of 7.0 magnitude or greater
- More than 700 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or higher have been recorded since 1867
For Front Range residents who experienced this morning's earthquake, the USGS is collecting data through their official reporting system. This information helps scientists better understand seismic activity patterns in Colorado.
While Colorado experiences fewer earthquakes than states like California and Alaska, local emergency management officials encourage Colorado families to maintain basic earthquake preparedness, especially those living near known fault lines. The morning's event demonstrates that even our relatively stable region can experience unexpected seismic activity.
The earthquake's intensity varied across the region, ranging from weak tremors north of Firestone to moderate shaking near Sherwood, highlighting how local geology can affect how Colorado communities experience seismic events differently.
This article contains AI-generated content and reflects opinion only. Readers are encouraged to verify all information independently before drawing conclusions or making decisions.
