4.1-magnitude earthquake rocks Tennessee and surrounding areas

Early on Saturday morning, a 4.1-magnitude earthquake struck Tennessee, startling residents and shaking homes as far away as Atlanta, Georgia.

Although the tremors reached across several parts of the southern United States, no major structural damage or injuries were immediately reported.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred shortly after 9:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time.

The epicenter was located approximately 12 miles (20 kilometers) from Greenback, Tennessee, a town about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of Knoxville.

The tremor prompted a swift public response, over 23,000 people submitted firsthand reports to the USGS within the first hour.

This is as confirmed by USGS spokesperson Ayesha Davis in an email to the Associated Press.

The earthquake’s effects were felt beyond Tennessee, with meteorologists in neighboring states like Georgia and North Carolina also reporting tremors.

The USGS noted there is a 5% chance that an aftershock of magnitude 4 or greater could occur in the coming week.

In Braselton, Georgia—northeast of Atlanta—Gabriela Reilly was in the middle of making waffles with her husband when the earthquake struck.

“Our ceiling fan started shaking for about 10 seconds,” she recounted.

Initially, she thought a low-flying aircraft was the cause, but her husband quickly corrected her, saying it was clearly an earthquake.

Jason Pack, who lives just outside of Knoxville, was still in bed when he experienced the quake.

He felt the walls vibrate and heard a deep rumbling sound that woke up his entire family and triggered their dog to start barking.

“In east Tennessee, you’re used to tornadoes and floods,” said Pack.

“It’s unusual to have an earthquake.”

Pack, a retired FBI agent who now specializes in crisis communications, mentioned that while he has felt tremors before, this was likely the strongest he’s experienced in the state.

He emphasized the importance of being prepared for larger events, saying,

“Even though this one was small, it’s a good reminder, if it had been a big quake, would you know what to do?

“Drop, cover, and hold on if you’re inside.

“Stay clear of buildings if you’re outside.”

The USGS explains that significant damage typically does not occur unless an earthquake surpasses a magnitude of 4 or 5.

Although outcomes vary depending on factors such as the quality of construction, ground composition, and proximity to the epicenter.

Saturday’s quake occurred in the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone, an area known for its elevated earthquake risk, along with the New Madrid Seismic Zone located farther west.

Spokesperson Davis stated that since 1950, there have been 15 earthquakes of magnitude 4.0 or higher within 155 miles (250 kilometers) of this weekend’s event.

The most powerful of those was a 4.7-magnitude quake near Knoxville in November 1973.

In more recent years, the same region has experienced notable seismic activity.

In December 2018, two earthquakes struck the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone. The first, a 4.4-magnitude quake centered in Decatur,

Tennessee, also affected areas as far as Atlanta.

A few days later, another quake with a magnitude of 3.0 occurred southeast of Mascot, near Knoxville, and was felt in multiple states including Georgia, Kentucky, and North Carolina.

Davis noted that geological differences between eastern and western parts of the country affect how far seismic waves can travel.

In the eastern U.S., these waves move more efficiently, which means earthquakes are often felt over a broader area.

“Earthquakes in the east are felt over a much larger distance and by more people,” she explained.

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