A preliminary magnitude 4.2 earthquake struck the Puget Sound region in Washington on Tuesday afternoon, according to initial reports from the U.
S. Geological Survey.
The seismic event occurred at 2:05 p. m.
local time.
The epicenter was centered approximately 3.4 miles west-northwest of Wauna, Washington, at a depth of about 26 kilometers, or 16 miles.
Initial reports indicated no immediate threat of a tsunami, and no injuries or structural damage were reported following the quake.
Location and Nearby Areas
The preliminary location was identified approximately 8.3 miles north-northwest of Artondale and nearly 10 miles south-southwest of Port Orchard.
It was also about 12 miles south-southwest of Bremerton and around 27 miles north-northeast of Olympia.
The U. S.
Geological Survey provided context on how tremors are experienced by residents, explaining that proximity to a quake significantly alters the sensation felt on the ground.
"The shaking will feel violent and it will be difficult to stand up," the U. S.
Geological Survey said on its website. "The contents of your house will be a mess."
The agency noted that individuals far from a large earthquake typically feel a gentle bump followed by rolling shaking.
Conversely, those near a small quake's epicenter experience a sharp jolt followed by quick, strong shakes.
According to the U. S.
Geological Survey, local crustal material and geological structures also play a direct role in influencing how ground motion is perceived during an earthquake.
