Why Missouri’s Neighbor Kansas Just Had a Quake Felt by Hundreds

Something odd was shaking in Kansas late Monday night and it wasn't the Jayhawks preparing for a basketball game. A rather strong earthquake that was felt by hundreds happened just south of Salina and many in Missouri are wondering if this has anything to do with the New Madrid Fault. Spoiler Alert: it doesn't, but there are still things you need to know.

Let's start with the facts from the USGS - there was a 3.7 magnitude quake at 9:39pm Monday night, December 8, 2025

Notice that the felt report as of this morning shows that 125 individuals reported to the USGS that they felt it. If you zoom into the exact epicenter, you'll see it was just southeast of Salina not far from I-135.

What fault is responsible for this Kansas earthquake?

The 3.7 magnitude quake in Kansas Monday night was caused by the Nemaha Ridge (or Uplift) with its flanking Humboldt Fault Zone according to the University of Kansas. They say that the largest earthquake in Kansas history was believed to be up to a 5.5 magnitude quake in 1867 near Manhattan.

Is this a concern for the New Madrid Fault in Missouri?

There is no more concern than there should be any day in Missouri regarding the New Madrid Fault. This Kansas quake, while stronger than the normal minor tremors in that region, is not associated with the New Madrid Fault. Everyone in Missouri needs to be quake-aware because of the New Madrid Seismic Zone, but no more than any other day. It's just an odd shaking in Kansas that got hundreds of resident's attention.