Scientists Say Quarry Blast Caused Monday Tremor, Materials Company Denies Correlation

UPDATE, 10 p.m. Nov. 4: 

An investigation was launched Monday afternoon to determine whether a blast at a quarry or an earthquake caused a seismic event that shook the west and southwest suburbs Monday afternoon.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey's latest report, a magnitude 3.2 seismic event struck at about 12:35 p.m. The Survey earlier reported a magnitude of 3.7, but it had been changed to "M3.2 Quarry Blast" sometime before 6:30 p.m. Monday.

The epicenter was just northwest of Countryside, according to the Survey, and it was felt as far north as Kenosha, Wisc., the Chicago Tribune reported.

Geophysicist Paul Caruso told the paper he was "pretty sure it's from a blast" and not an earthquake.

Quarries operated by Vulcan Materials Company and Lehigh Hanson Materials are located in nearby McCook. A Vulcan representative told the Tribune the company did not conduct any blasting Monday.

Lehigh Hanson representatives admit blasting occurred Monday, but deny it had anything to do with the tremor.

Blasting on Monday was "consistent with typical operations," according to a message posted on the Village of La Grange website. Furthermore, Hanson representatives said that about 7 seconds after the blast, a separate seismic event was recorded.

Check out the comments on Hinsdale Patch by those who felt the tremor.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is investigating the event.

Neighbors closest to McCook suffered damage to homes and property. Those with damage are instructed to contact the Lyons Township Quarry Complaint Line at (866) WE-HEAR-U.

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UPDATE, 2 p.m. Nov. 4:

Suburban police have fielded a number of calls about seismic activity felt Monday afternoon.

Elmhurst Police Department, for example, received several phone calls from residents who reported feeling ground tremors or a possible earthquake.

"DuComm, which handles the emergency 911 calls for [DuPage], also reported receiving several calls of a similar nature," according to a press release from the Elmhurst Police Department.

Police in Hinsdale, Countryside, La Grange and other communities also fielded calls.

Reports indicate that the epicenter of the activity appeared to be about 1 mile south of LaGrange, which would put it close to the McCook quarries off of Joliet Road. 

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ORIGINAL STORY:

Residents from Elmhurst to North Riverside to Hinsdale reported their chairs and homes were shaking after what felt like an earthquake Monday afternoon, Nov. 4. 

NBC5 Chicago is reporting the rumbling might be due to a blast at the McCook Quarry, however quarry blasts at McCook typically are not felt as far away as Elmhurst. The U.S. Geological Survey is reporting a 3.7 magnitude quake in that area, centered near Indian Head Park, at 12:34 p.m.  

NBC5 Chicago said the newsroom received "numerous calls" of a possible earthquake felt in Hinsdale, Willowbrook and Willow Springs.

A number of commenters on Facebook said they felt it:

"Yes! In North Riverside. Cat and dog went nuts."—Norm Eisengart

"My heart jumped. Felt like the whole house lurched."—Kim Doyle MacGregor

"I wondered what that was. I live by the [Elmhurst] quarry, so figured it was from there."—Patty Knicker-Ilg

"Felt it in Hillside, too!!!"—Tanya Smith Villarreal

"I was also wondering what that was! The wind does not shake the house like that!"—Carolyn Hoffman Hansen

Did you feel the quake? Let us know in the comments.