Earthquake Today: Latest Seismic Activity in Tennessee & Georgia
4.1 Moderate Earthquake Hits East Tennessee – Felt Across Region
( Earthquake today )A moderate 4.1 magnitude earthquake struck near Greenback, Tennessee this morning, with shaking reported across eastern Tennessee, northern Georgia, and western North Carolina. The tremor occurred at a depth of 10.3 kilometers (6.4 miles) according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
Areas Affected
The earthquake was felt across a wide area including:
- Tennessee: Knoxville, Maryville, Chattanooga, Nashville
- Georgia: Atlanta, Gainesville, Blue Ridge, Athens
- North Carolina: Asheville, Murphy, Charlotte
- South Carolina: Spartanburg, Greenville
Damage Reports
Initial reports indicate minor damage in the immediate area including:
- Cracked walls and foundations in older buildings near the epicenter
- Items knocked from shelves in homes and stores
- Reports of power outages affecting approximately 1,200 customers
- No major injuries or structural collapses reported at this time
3.5 Aftershock Recorded Near Original Epicenter
A 3.5 magnitude aftershock was recorded approximately 36 minutes after the initial earthquake. USGS seismologists note that aftershocks of this magnitude are typical following a moderate earthquake and may continue for days or weeks.
Historical Context
While earthquakes in the southeastern United States are less frequent than in western states, the East Tennessee Seismic Zone is one of the most active areas east of the Rocky Mountains. The region experiences about 50-200 small earthquakes each year, with larger events occurring periodically.
Notable historical earthquakes in the region include:
- 1916: 4.6 magnitude near Asheville, NC
- 1973: 4.6 magnitude near Knoxville, TN
- 2003: 4.6 magnitude near Fort Payne, AL
- 2018: 4.4 magnitude near Decatur, TN