An earthquake in Illinois was felt by early risers in the WFTM listening area. The US geological survey says the magnitude 5.4 quake was centered near West Salem, Illinois, or about 40 miles northwest of Evansville, Indiana. the earthquake occurred at 5:30 this morning. There were no immediate reports of injuries. According to the survey's web site, the area where the earthquake occured borders the more seismically active New Madrid seismic zone on the north and west. the seismic region covers parts of Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas and stretches from Indianapolis and St. Louis to Memphis. The largest historical earthquake in the region was also a magnitude 5.4, and damaged southern Illinois in 1968. the geological survey says Moderately damaging earthquakes strike somewhere in the region each decade or two, and smaller earthquakes are felt about once or twice a year.
