News Summary
A 4.1 magnitude earthquake hit near the Tennessee-North Carolina border, with tremors felt across several states. Over 30,000 reports were made to USGS. Fortunately, no structural damage was reported, and emergency services confirmed safety in the area. This earthquake is a significant reminder of the seismic activity in Eastern Tennessee, which has seen notable seismic events recently.
Greenback, Tennessee – A 4.1 magnitude earthquake struck near the Tennessee-North Carolina border on May 10, 2025, at 9:04 a.m. EDT. The epicenter was located approximately 12 miles southeast of Greenback, about 30 miles south of Knoxville, at a depth of 15 miles, classifying it as a shallow earthquake.
Residents across the Southeast U.S. reported feeling the tremors, with over 30,000 reports submitted to the US Geological Survey (USGS) within the first hour of the event. The earthquake was felt as far away as Charlotte, North Carolina, approximately 260 miles east of Greenback, as well as in several other cities including Atlanta, Georgia, Asheville, North Carolina, and Greenville, South Carolina.
In immediate aftermath, no structural damage was reported in the affected regions. Emergency services from the Knoxville Fire Department and the Knoxville Police Department conducted inspections and confirmed no damage from the earthquake. This event highlights the continued seismic activity in the Eastern Tennessee seismic zone, known to be one of the most active earthquake areas in the Southeast U.S.
Tremors Felt Across a Wide Area
Numerous residents described their experiences during the quake. For instance, a resident in Braselton, Georgia, reported their whole home shaking. Other areas such as Conover, Gastonia, Huntersville, Davidson, Mooresville, Sherrills Ford, Concord, Hickory, and Rock Hill also noted tremors, indicating the quake’s broad reach.
Significant Earthquake Activity in the Region
This earthquake marks the seventh seismic event in the region with a magnitude of 4.0 or greater since 1900. The previous significant quake was a 4.4 magnitude event that occurred in 2018, centered in Decatur, Tennessee. Historically, the largest earthquake recorded in East Tennessee was a 4.7 magnitude quake in Alcoa in 1973.
In recent weeks, Tennessee has experienced 21 earthquakes of lesser magnitudes, indicating a phase of increased seismic activity. The USGS has forecasted a 5% chance of a magnitude 4 or greater aftershock occurring within the next week following the initial quake.
Precautionary Measures in the Aftermath
In response to the earthquake, precautionary inspections of Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) facilities were immediately carried out. Authorities reported no damage to key infrastructures including the Fontana, Fort Loudon, and Tellico dams. Additionally, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park temporarily closed the Foothills Parkway West while inspections were conducted by the Federal Highway Administration.
The USGS noted that earthquakes of magnitude 4 or higher typically have the potential to cause damage. Fortunately, in this instance, the widespread response indicated an understanding of earthquake preparedness, and timely assessments helped ensure safety in the region.
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Additional Resources
- CNN
- Wikipedia: Earthquake
- The New York Times
- Google Search: Tennessee earthquake 2025
- Knox News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Earthquake
- WATE
- Google News: Earthquake Tennessee
- The Guardian
Author: HERE Charlotte
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