An unusualearthquakeearly March 5 in northwestern Louisiana awoke people from their sleep, shook furniture, rattled pipes and raised eyebrows for its strength.
The U.S. Geological Survey previously reported that the magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck about 5:30 a.m. Thursday with its epicenter just north of Coushatta. Later, the earthquake was upgraded to a magnitude 4.9.
The 4.9 earthquake is the strongest in the region in decades, USGS data shows.
Republican state Sen. Thomas Pressly of Shreveport, Louisiana said he was awakened by the earthquake.
"A 4.4 earthquake isn't insignificant," Pressly said. He joked that his wife slept through the event because she is a California native.
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No structural damage has yet been reported from the quake.
The Moon orbits through the Earth's shadow resulting in a lunar eclipse turning the moon red on March 3, 2026 in Auckland, New Zealand. A total lunar eclipse was viewable over large swaths of the Americas this week, creating a phenomenon often called a "blood moon." In the pre-dawn hours of March 3, a full moon was covered by Earth's shadow, creating the eclipse. This phenomenon also marks March's full moon, known as a worm moon, giving skygazers and early risers an extra treat." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
See the spectacular beauty of the red moon with lunar eclipse photos
The Moon orbits through the Earth's shadow resulting ina lunar eclipseturning the moon red on March 3, 2026 in Auckland, New Zealand. Atotal lunar eclipsewas viewable over large swaths of the Americas this week, creating a phenomenonoften called a "blood moon."In the pre-dawn hours of March 3, a full moon was covered by Earth's shadow, creating the eclipse. This phenomenon also marks March's full moon, known as aworm moon,giving skygazers and early risers an extra treat.
How powerful is a magnitude 4.9 earthquake?
Magnitude measures the strength of an earthquake. Here are the effects of different magnitudes of earthquake, according toMichigan Technological University:
Below 2.5: Generally not felt
2.5 to 5.4: Minor or no damage
5.5 to 6.0: Slight damage to buildings
6.1 to 6.9: Serious damage
7.0 to 7.9: Major earthquake. Serious damage.
8.0 or greater: Massive damage, can destroy communities
What's causing Shreveport earthquakes?:Centenary professor explains the phenomenon of minor earthquakes in Northwest Louisiana
Contributing: Beth Weise, USA TODAY
Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times:Louisiana earthquake shakes people awake, rattles pipes, furniture
