Note to editors: As more information is received and the data are further analyzed, we may issue updates or clarifications on this event.

A minor earthquake, preliminary magnitude 3.9 according to the U.S. Geological Survey, occurred in the Amarillo, Texas area on Aug. 16, 2000 at 9:08 pm Eastern Daylight Time, or 8:08 pm local time. The earthquake was felt throughout the Amarillo area and as far as the towns of Canyon and White Deer. The USGS has received no reports of damage at this time.

This earthquake is the strongest in a series of minor earthquakes to hit the Texas panhandle since Aug. 7. The second strongest of this series had a preliminary magnitude of 3.3.

Although notable on a local scale, a series of minor earthquakes is not unusual nationally. Commonly, these minor series are not associated with a larger event. Additional information on the earthquake history of Texas is available on: http://wwwneic.cr.usgs.gov/neis/states/texas/texas.html

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