The biggest quake ever recorded in the state measured 5.8 magnitude when it struck near Valentine in August 1931. The second largest, measuring 5.7, struck near Marathon in April 1995, ahead of a quake of 5.4 magnitude near Mentone in November 2022.

The Railroad Commission of Texas, the governmental agency tasked with overseeing oil and gas production in the state, is investigating the 5.1-magnitude earthquake that rattled much of West Texas Monday night for any connection to produced water disposal wells related to petroleum extraction.