Two Small Earthquakes Rattle Albuquerque West Side, Rio Rancho

Two small earthquakes shook the western portion of the Albuquerque metropolitan area on the morning of December 3, 2025, the U.S. Geological Survey confirmed. The first event registered magnitude 2.8 at approximately 8:11 a.m., located farther north and closer to Rio Rancho near the Bernalillo County Sandoval County line. About an hour later officials recorded a second event of magnitude 2.5 near Double Eagle II Airport.

USGS intensity mapping for both events showed the strongest shaking concentrated near the epicenters, with felt reports extending into Rio Rancho and Albuquerque's West Side. Local residents reported feeling brief jolts and rattling, but there were no immediate accounts of structural damage or injuries associated with either quake.

Earthquakes remain relatively uncommon in New Mexico compared with states along the U.S. West Coast, but small magnitude events do occur in the region. Seismologists use magnitude and intensity measures to distinguish the energy released from the local shaking people feel, and the recent events fall into the lower range that typically produces light, short lived tremors for nearby communities.

For Sandoval County residents the incidents serve as a reminder to review personal and household preparedness. Secure heavy items on shelves, know how to "drop cover and hold on" during shaking, and verify emergency kit supplies and family communication plans. Public infrastructure such as bridges and water systems are engineered with seismic considerations for major events, but localized incidents can still cause minor disruptions to older buildings and non structural items.

Local emergency management agencies and the U.S. Geological Survey will continue to monitor seismic activity in the area. Residents who felt the tremors can report their observations to the USGS felt reporting system to assist scientists mapping local shaking patterns and to help maintain up to date community awareness.