Tennessee Earthquake Shakes Homes Across Southern U.S. with 4.1 Magnitude

ATLANTA (AP) -- A 4.1-magnitude earthquake struck Tennessee on Saturday morning, causing tremors that were felt as far away as Atlanta. The seismic event, which occurred shortly after 9 a.m. EDT, was centered approximately 12 miles from Greenback, Tennessee, located about 30 miles south of Knoxville. Fortunately, initial reports indicated that there were no injuries or significant damage resulting from the quake.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) noted that over 23,000 individuals reported feeling the tremors within the first hour following the earthquake. Meteorologists from news stations across Georgia and North Carolina also confirmed that they experienced the shaking.

According to USGS, there is a 5% likelihood of aftershocks measuring 4 or greater in magnitude occurring in the upcoming week. One resident of Braselton, Georgia, described the experience of feeling her home shake while preparing breakfast with her spouse. Initially, she thought the disturbance was caused by a low-flying aircraft, but her husband quickly identified it as an earthquake.

Another resident, Jason Pack, who lives near Knoxville, recounted waking up to the sound of rumbling walls, which startled his family and their dog. He acknowledged that while residents in East Tennessee are accustomed to severe weather events like tornadoes and floods, earthquakes are far less common.

Pack, who has felt tremors in the past, indicated that this particular earthquake was among the strongest he had experienced. He emphasized the importance of being prepared for such events, reminding others to drop, cover, and hold on if they find themselves indoors during an earthquake, and to stay clear of buildings when outside.

According to USGS, earthquakes typically do not cause damage until they reach a magnitude of about 4 or 5, although this can vary based on factors such as building construction, soil conditions, and proximity to the epicenter. The southeastern region of the United States is known to have a notable earthquake risk, particularly near the New Madrid Seismic Zone to the west and the East Tennessee Seismic Zone, where Saturday's quake occurred.

Since 1950, there have been 15 recorded earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater within 155 miles of the recent quake's epicenter. The most significant of these was a magnitude 4.7 earthquake near Knoxville in November 1973. More recently, in December 2018, two tremors struck the same seismic zone, one measuring 4.4 in magnitude and felt in areas as distant as Atlanta.

Geologists explain that seismic waves from earthquakes travel more efficiently in the Eastern United States compared to the West due to geological characteristics of the region, allowing earthquakes to be felt over larger distances.