Rare Earthquake Shakes Florida's Panhandle

PENSACOLA, FL -- It was a rare event, occurring maybe once a century. And, ironically, it was centered just six miles east of Century, Florida.

The USGS National Earthquake Information Center reported that an earthquake shook up residents in the Panhandle late Wednesday night.

The quake, with a 2.6 magnitude, hit at 11:45 p.m. in Escambia County in the Panhandle, near the Alabama border, northwest of Eglin Air Force Base. While 2.6 is considered a weak earthquake, it came as a surprise to residents who have never experienced an earthquake in the Sunshine State.

According to the USGS, earthquakes are rare in Florida because the state is not located near any tectonic plates.

In fact, Florida and North Dakota have the fewest earthquakes in the country, according to the USGS. That said, the USGC added that earthquakes can occur anywhere in the world.

While rumblings are rarely felt in Florida, between 1992 and 2006, there were four earthquakes in the Gulf of Mexico ranging from a magnitude of 3.2 to 5.9, according to the USGS.

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