A 2.9 magnitude earthquake was recorded in Lake Michigan east of Lake County Wednesday afternoon, an extremely rare event to happen in the area.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said a 2.9 magnitude earthquake was detected approximately 12 miles east-northeast of Kenilworth around 2:38 p.m. Wednesday.
The quake’s epicenter was offshore of southern Lake County near Highland Park, USGS data shows.
It was recorded at a shallow depth of approximately three miles.
A Lake County resident told Lake and McHenry County Scanner he was driving down Hook Drive in Round Lake Beach around 2:35 p.m. when he heard an unusual rattling sounded from inside his car.
“I remember hearing an unusual rattling sound from the inside of my car and found it was my plastic garage door opener clipped to my sun visor. I thought it was weird because my visor has never rattled like that before,” the man said.
“The road itself was smooth, so I figured it might’ve been my engine rattling. The rattling was very light and just barely noticeable. It lasted about 30 seconds. Later I saw online there was an earthquake around that same time and now it makes sense,” he said.
The USGS is collecting reports from residents who felt the earthquake through its “Did You Feel It” form online.
No damage and no emergency calls have been reported so far.
A 2.9 magnitude earthquake can be felt but only causes minor damage at most, according to the USGS.
Earthquakes are rare in Illinois and only a handful occur a year. They are especially rare in northern Illinois.
A 2.9 magnitude quake was recorded in Lake Michigan near Door County, Wisconsin, in August 2024.