More aftershocks rock Southern Illinois

WEST SALEM, Ill. — More aftershocks shook Southern Illinois today, three days after a magnitude 5.2 quake rattled nerves across the region.

The U.S. Geological Survey said 22 aftershocks had been recorded since last week’s tremor that was centered deep beneath the surface near West Salem.

They included one just before 12:40 a.m. today that registered magnitude 4.0 and had its epicenter northwest of Mount Carmel. That tremor was initially reported as 4.5 but was later downgraded.

The strongest aftershock registered magnitude 4.6 about 5 1/2 hours after the original quake Friday morning.

Friday’s quake shook a wide area of the Midwest and caused minor damage.