Southeastern regions experience slight seismic activity, attributed to a minor earthquake in Tennessee.
Earthquake Shakes Up Southeastern U.S., But Strong Aftershocks Unlikely
Last Saturday morning, a 4.1 magnitude earthquake hit the southeastern United States, about 30 miles south of Knoxville, Tennessee. The shaking was felt across the region, from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Atlanta, Georgia; Asheville, North Carolina; and Greenville, South Carolina.
According to details from the US Geological Survey, the earthquake occurred about 15 miles below the surface, around 9 a.m. Local time. In the first hour after the quake, over 30,000 public reports of the event were submitted, according to Ayesha Davis, a USGS spokeswoman.
Why did this earthquake jolt such a large area? Well, the geology in the eastern part of the U.S. allows seismic waves to spread more efficiently than in the western regions, reaching more people and covering a larger distance.
Now, here's where things get a bit interesting. The USGS Operational Aftershock Forecasts suggest that there's a 5% chance of a magnitude 4 or stronger aftershock hitting the area within the next week. Although this risk isn't negligible, it's not very high either, so don't panic just yet.
The earthquake zone in eastern Tennessee stretches across the state and into northwestern Georgia and northeastern Alabama. Being one of the most active quake areas in the Southeast, it's no stranger to seismic activity. However, the zone isn't known for experiencing large earthquakes, and even the ones that occur only cause minor damage.
Despite the fact that the event was felt quite widely, there were no immediate reports of significant damage or injuries. So, for now, let's hope that this earthquake and any potential aftershocks won't disrupt our days too much.
This story has been updated with additional information.
[1] - Source: US Geological Survey
The earthquake that occurred last Saturday morning had a magnitude of 4.1 and was felt across various cities in the southeastern United States, including Chattanooga, Tennessee. The US Geological Survey's Operational Aftershock Forecasts predict a 5% chance of a magnitude 4 or stronger aftershock hitting the area within the next week. Ayesha Davis, a USGS spokeswoman, mentioned that over 30,000 public reports of the event were submitted within the first hour after the quake.
