Magnitude 2.6 earthquake — 21 km W of Garden City, Texas

A magnitude 2.6 earthquake struck west Texas in the early hours of this morning, centred about 21 kilometres west of Garden City, a small town in the heart of oil and gas country.

The tremor hit at half past midnight local time (just after six in the morning UK time), according to the United States Geological Survey. The quake was quite shallow — less than three kilometres down — which often means people feel it more strongly than they might a deeper rumble of the same size.

What a 2.6 actually feels like

For those of us who don't live in earthquake zones, a magnitude 2.6 is what seismologists call a "minor" quake. If you were awake and sitting still, you'd likely notice a brief shake or rattle, a bit like a lorry passing close by or someone slamming a door rather hard. Pictures might swing on the wall, and you'd probably hear a low rumble. If you were asleep, though, chances are you'd snooze right through it.

It's worth remembering that the magnitude scale is logarithmic — each whole number represents about thirty times more energy released. So while 2.6 sounds close to, say, a devastating magnitude 7, the difference in actual power is enormous.

Texas tremors on the rise

West Texas has seen a notable uptick in small earthquakes over the past decade or so, and most scientists reckon it's linked to oil and gas operations — specifically the disposal of wastewater deep underground and hydraulic fracturing. Garden City sits in Glasscock County, where the Permian Basin's oil boom has been going strong for years.

These smaller quakes rarely cause damage, but they do give locals a bit of a start, especially when they happen in the wee hours. No reports of damage or injuries have come through yet, which is typical for something this size.

Have you got family or friends out in Texas who felt this one? Or perhaps you remember when earthquakes in places like Oklahoma and Texas started making the news more often? Do share your thoughts below — we'd love to hear from you.