Illinois Shaken by Earthquake Centered in Lake Michigan

Hundreds in Illinois have reported feeling an extremely unusual earthquake that was centered under Lake Michigan.

The USGS has just confirmed this magnitude 2.9 quake that was centered just north of Chicago in Lake Michigan.

Infographic, USGS

If you look at the "felt map" shared by the USGS, you'll see nearly all of the reports are along the shoreline of Chicago.

Infographic, USGS

What would cause an earthquake in Lake Michigan?

There are theories that it's the result of built-up stress along ancient, hidden underground fault lines in the bedrock beneath the lake. I follow earthquakes daily from the USGS and I can't ever remember one being centered in Lake Michigan before.

As this is a developing story, it will be updated once we know more about what shook the lake today.