A magnitude 4.5 earthquake rattled southern Illinois early this morning in the strongest aftershock since the area was shaken by Friday’s 5.2 tremor, CNN reports. The rumble was centered in the same spot as last week's quake near the town of Mount Carmel, and began after midnight. No damage has been reported. Some 18 shakers followed Friday's quake, the strongest in the area in 40 years.
“Everything just started rumbling and things at my house started shaking,” said one area resident. “The big concern: is this the beginning of the Big One?” (More earthquake stories.)