4.1 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Near Tennessee-North Carolina Border

Tennessee

A magnitude 4.1 earthquake struck near the Tennessee-North Carolina border on Saturday morning, causing tremors felt across several southeastern states. The earthquake occurred shortly after 9 a.m. EDT, with its epicenter located approximately 12 miles from Greenback, Tennessee, and roughly 30 miles south of Knoxville.

The quake prompted more than 23,000 reports filed to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) within the first hour of the event, indicating widespread awareness and concern among residents. Tremors were reported as far away as north of Atlanta, Georgia, east of Greenville, South Carolina, and Asheville, North Carolina. Residents described various experiences, from shaking beds to pets reacting nervously.

Personal Accounts of the Earthquake

Many individuals felt the effects of the earthquake firsthand. For instance, a resident of Charlotte reported feeling the tremors while enjoying coffee, estimating that the shaking lasted about five seconds. In Braselton, Georgia, another resident initially mistook the quake for a low-flying aircraft while preparing breakfast. Meteorologists in both Georgia and North Carolina also noted the tremors.

Reports from Deep Gap, North Carolina, described houses making noise prior to the shaking. A resident near Knoxville recounted waking up family members due to the rumbling sensation. Fortunately, despite the intensity of the quake, there were no significant injuries or damages reported.

Geophysical Context

The earthquake’s depth was approximately 15 to 16 miles below the earth’s surface. This depth is believed to be a contributing factor to the lack of significant damage. According to a geophysicist, areas in North Carolina have a history of experiencing earthquakes that are not typically dangerous, with only two significant damaging earthquakes recorded over the past few centuries.

The USGS mentioned a 5% chance of an aftershock of magnitude 4 or larger occurring within the week following the earthquake, adding a note of caution for residents in the vicinity.

Seismic History

Historically, the eastern U.S. experiences earthquakes differently than the western states. Seismic waves in the eastern region travel farther due to the geological characteristics of the area. Since 1950, 15 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or larger have occurred within 155 miles of Saturday’s earthquake, with records of the largest quake in the region being a 4.7 magnitude event that occurred near Knoxville in November 1973. Previous seismic activity in the Eastern Tennessee seismic zone included two quakes in December 2018, with magnitudes of 4.4 and 3.0 respectively.

Residents are advised to remain vigilant and prepared for potential aftershocks as the region continues to assess the effects of the recent earthquake.