Clintonville, Wis. (WFRV) After several sleepless nights the residents of Clintonville are finally learning what exactly has been shaking them out of bed. Officials say it was an earthquake.

The United States Geologicial Survey reported Thursday that they recorded a small earthquake in Clintonville.

The USGS says they believe a 1.5 magnitude quake struck Clintonville in the early morning hours of Tuesday. They say the quake was so small that you had to be within a five mile radius of the quake's epicenter in order to feel it.

An earthquake in Wisconsin is extremely rare. The USGS says the last time a quake struck in Wisconsin was in 1947. 

Residents in Clintonville have been reporting loud booming noises and shaking since late Sunday night. For days town officials have been searching for answers without any luck.  Clintonville City Administrator Lisa Kuss says officials will no longer hire an engineering firm to monitor the activity.  During a public meeting Thursday night, several citizens said they've felt vibrations for the last six months.  No one had ever reported this type of activity until this week.  In fact, the number of reports has dramatically gone down: 150 called police early Monday morning, 100 on Tuesday, 40 on Wednesday, and only 4 on Thursday morning.  Officials believe that's a sign the worst is over.

Even though a 1.5 magnitude quake isn't typically felt, Kuss says the granite 3 miles under Clintonville may have intensified the vibrations.

Local 5's Bret Lemoine is in Clintonville and will have the latest details tonight on Local 5 News after the NCAA Tournament.