Magnitude 3.9 earthquake jolts the Gulf, seismologists say. Did MS feel it?
A magnitude 3.9 earthquake rattled the Gulf of Mexico, nearly 550 miles from Baton Rouge, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.
The 10-mile deep quake shook the area at 8:22 p.m. CST on March 29 , according to the USGS.
One person located about 444 miles away in Lake Butler, Florida, reported feeling the tremor to the agency as of March 30.
“While this doesn’t happen every day, it’s not unheard of to have earthquakes in the middle of the Gulf,” WLOX-TV Meteorologist Eric Jeansonne said in a March 29 Facebook post. “There is no threat of a tsunami.”
A similar earthquake with a 3.3 magnitude happened in June 2023, the Sun Herald reported.
What to know about earthquakes
Magnitude measures the energy released at the source of the earthquake, the U.S. Geological Survey says. It replaces the old Richter scale.
Quakes between 2.5 and 5.4 magnitude are often felt but rarely cause much damage, according to Michigan Tech. Quakes below 2.5 magnitude are seldom felt by most people.
Earthquakes’ sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. They can happen anywhere, but they’re most common in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Puerto Rico and Washington, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
If an earthquake strikes, it’s best to protect yourself right away. Here are tips from experts:
- If you’re in a car: Pull over and stop. Set your parking brake.
- If you’re in bed: Turn face-down and cover your head with a pillow.
- If you’re outdoors: Stay away from buildings. Don’t go inside.
- If you’re inside: Stay and don’t run outdoors. Stay away from doorways.
The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.
“Wherever you are, drop down to your hands and knees and hold onto something sturdy,” officials say. “If you’re using a wheelchair or walker with a seat, make sure your wheels are locked and remain seated until the shaking stops.”
Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible. If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows.
Once under a table, officials say you should hold on with one hand and be ready to move with it.
“There can be serious hazards after an earthquake, such as damage to the building, leaking gas and water lines, or downed power lines,” officials say. “Expect aftershocks to follow the main shock of an earthquake. Be ready to Drop, Cover, and Hold On if you feel an aftershock.”
This story was originally published March 30, 2026 at 1:13 PM.
