News Summary
A magnitude 4.1 earthquake hit near the Tennessee-North Carolina border, with an epicenter close to Greenback, Tennessee. Tremors were felt as far away as Charlotte, North Carolina. Over 39,000 individuals reported experiencing the quake, although no injuries or major damage were reported. The USGS indicates a chance of aftershocks in the coming week, and residents are encouraged to report their experiences to aid in understanding the seismic activity in the area.
Knoxville, Tennessee – A magnitude 4.1 earthquake struck near the Tennessee-North Carolina border on Saturday morning, around 9 a.m. The epicenter was located approximately 12 miles from Greenback, Tennessee, and about 30 miles south of Knoxville. Tremors from the earthquake echoed through neighboring areas, with reports of shaking felt as far away as Charlotte, North Carolina, along with parts of South Carolina and Georgia.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported over 23,000 individual responses regarding the tremors within the first hour of the quake, with that number rising to 39,000 by early Saturday afternoon. Residents described the shaking as unsettling, and no injuries or significant property damage have been reported as a result of this event.
In Charlotte, residents experienced the tremors, including individuals in Paw Creek Village, where many reported their beds shaking and pets reacting with anxiety. One Charlotte resident felt the shaking while enjoying a cup of coffee, noting that the tremors began at approximately 9:05 a.m. and persisted for about five seconds. In some areas close to the epicenter, including Fields of the Wood, North Carolina, the shaking was described as violent, with video evidence captured showing the impact.
Even meteorologists working at local television stations in Georgia and North Carolina reported feeling the aftershocks of the earthquake. The seismic activity led to a notable alert among residents, including those who were initially unsure of the cause, with one individual attributing the noise to a low-flying aircraft before realizing it was an earthquake.
The USGS indicated a 19 percent chance of experiencing an aftershock of magnitude 3.0 or larger in the coming week. This earthquake falls within the East Tennessee Seismic Zone, an area that has a historical record of seismic activity, registering 15 other earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater since 1950. The largest recorded earthquake in this region occurred in November 1973, with a magnitude of 4.7 near Knoxville.
Geologically, the Eastern United States features a distinct composition compared to the West Coast, which leads to a wider propagation of seismic waves. Consequently, earthquakes in this region can be felt over a broader distance. Jason Pack, a resident living near Knoxville, reported that the shaking was intense enough to awaken his household and alert their dog, emphasizing the unusual nature of experiencing such an event in East Tennessee.
As of now, residents in the affected areas remain cautious, yet the lack of significant damage or injuries has provided some relief following the quake. Authorities encourage anyone who experienced the tremors to report their observations to the USGS, contributing to ongoing analysis and understanding of seismic activity in this region.
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HERE Resources
4.1 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Eastern Tennessee
4.1 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Near Greenback, Tennessee
Additional Resources
- Charlotte Observer
- Wikipedia: Earthquake
- WSOC TV
- Google Search: earthquake Tennessee North Carolina
- WCNC
- Google Scholar: earthquake Tennessee North Carolina
- NY Post
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Earthquake
- WYFF News
- Google News: earthquake
